August 15, 2006
Would you buy a used car from this vaudevillian?
I Love Lucy - "Getting Ready"
First aired: December 13, 1954 on CBS.
Recently aired: August 15, 2006 on TV Land.
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, and Bob Carroll, jr.
Directed by William Asher
This episode opens with Ricky sitting at the coffee table trying to figure the most cost-effective mode of transportation to California to begin his movie career, while probably wondering why his agent couldn't have negotiated a couple of first-class plane tickets as part of the deal. Lucy, after a severe episode of ADD, finally decides that the best way to get to Hollywood is by car. Wait a minute, exclaims Lucy, why don't the Mertzes drive out to California with them? Well OF COURSE they are going to go with you, Lucy. You'll need Ethel with you to aid and abet your sociopathic behavior, and you'll need Fred to. . . to. . . oh, I don't know, sit around and complain, I guess.
Fred tells every one that his old vaudeville partner, Al Hergesheimer, is a used car dealer in Brooklyn and can get Ricky a car wholesale. Sure Fred, buy a car from the early twentieth century equivalent of a carny. And what sort of act did he and Fred have? If I had to guess, it would be ten minutes of Fred making fun of Al's last name. Fred comes back with a 1923 Cadillac touring car, and Ricky is understandbly upset that Fred chose to buy a 31-year-old car to drive to California. Nevertheless, I can't help thinking that if a buddy of mine drove up in a 1975 Cadillac convertible and suggested that we go for a cross-country drive, I'd be shouting "road trip!" as I did a double somersault with a full twist in to the back seat.
Some things I noticed:
1. Two separate scenes in which it appears that Fred's pants are eating his tie.
2. An incredibly obvious backdrop depicting East 68th Street.
3. Lucy and Ricky both smoking. No surprise there, since they were sponsored by Phillip Morris. But then I got to thinking - did they ever show Fred or Ethel smoking?
First aired: December 13, 1954 on CBS.
Recently aired: August 15, 2006 on TV Land.
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, and Bob Carroll, jr.
Directed by William Asher
This episode opens with Ricky sitting at the coffee table trying to figure the most cost-effective mode of transportation to California to begin his movie career, while probably wondering why his agent couldn't have negotiated a couple of first-class plane tickets as part of the deal. Lucy, after a severe episode of ADD, finally decides that the best way to get to Hollywood is by car. Wait a minute, exclaims Lucy, why don't the Mertzes drive out to California with them? Well OF COURSE they are going to go with you, Lucy. You'll need Ethel with you to aid and abet your sociopathic behavior, and you'll need Fred to. . . to. . . oh, I don't know, sit around and complain, I guess.
Fred tells every one that his old vaudeville partner, Al Hergesheimer, is a used car dealer in Brooklyn and can get Ricky a car wholesale. Sure Fred, buy a car from the early twentieth century equivalent of a carny. And what sort of act did he and Fred have? If I had to guess, it would be ten minutes of Fred making fun of Al's last name. Fred comes back with a 1923 Cadillac touring car, and Ricky is understandbly upset that Fred chose to buy a 31-year-old car to drive to California. Nevertheless, I can't help thinking that if a buddy of mine drove up in a 1975 Cadillac convertible and suggested that we go for a cross-country drive, I'd be shouting "road trip!" as I did a double somersault with a full twist in to the back seat.
Some things I noticed:
1. Two separate scenes in which it appears that Fred's pants are eating his tie.
2. An incredibly obvious backdrop depicting East 68th Street.
3. Lucy and Ricky both smoking. No surprise there, since they were sponsored by Phillip Morris. But then I got to thinking - did they ever show Fred or Ethel smoking?
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Good stuff. I'll be sure to keep on reading. I thought i was the only one who was a classic TV junkie!
# posted by 
: 1:55 PM
: 1:55 PM
Congrats John on joining the blogoverse. This is bound to stir up some interest.
So far you haven't hit TV shows that resonate with me, but I'm sure you will. I got the "Sgt. Bilko" DVD box set for my birthday.
Let's hear about Soupy Sales, Pinky Lee, Spunky and Tadpole, and the Man From U.N.C.L.E. -- NOW you're talking classics!
So far you haven't hit TV shows that resonate with me, but I'm sure you will. I got the "Sgt. Bilko" DVD box set for my birthday.
Let's hear about Soupy Sales, Pinky Lee, Spunky and Tadpole, and the Man From U.N.C.L.E. -- NOW you're talking classics!
Cool site John. I went trolling on the internet for more info about smoking on I love Lucy and found this site which discusses the history of PM advertising on I Love Lucy and Johnny Roventini's part in that.
http://www.lucyfan.com/johnnyroventini.html
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