Here's Lucy...DON"T hate me please! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

ethelmaepotter · 11-10-2009, 10:32 AM

I am an avid Lucy fan. I LOVE Lucy...and of course, Ethel too! I haven't seen Here's Lucy in ages and I was excited to see this series come out on DVD. While I am certain I will purchase every season of Here's Lucy, I have to say, these shows simply are not Lucy at her best. When Vivian Vance makes a guest appearance it is always golden. There have been a few guest stars who have made a splash, but the average "Here's Lucy" episode seems to be missing something. Of course, by this point, Lucy had been on TV for two decades and over 300 episodes of series to her credit, but what it seems is that this series is basically a rehashing of episodes from "I Love Lucy" or "The Lucy Show".

I've been watching season 2 and I can't not understand what all the excitement and raves were about regarding the "road" shows. The two episode installment of Lucy going to the Air Force Academy had a few high points but it seemed a little trite and forced. Even Lucy herself admitted without a live studio audience she just didn't come alive. The one where she married the Indian Chief was just sort of silly and a bit lethargic.

I think the surprise of this series is Desi Arnaz Jr. In many ways, he has gestures and facial responses like his father, and when there are scenes with just him and Lucy, it harkens back somewhat to the days of "I Love Lucy" when Lucy was trying to convince Ricky her madcap zaniness was justified. Also, Gale Gordon is not as blustery as Mr. Mooney. His character in "Here's Lucy" leans occasionally towards the Ethel Mertz character, an unwilling accomplice which makes for some good moments.

Again, I LOVE Lucy, but "Here's Lucy" seems to be just a winding down of Lucy's reign as the Queen of Comedy. For my tastes, "I Love Lucy" and "The Lucy Show" are Lucy at her best.

retroTVfan4ever · 11-11-2009, 09:20 PM

Season one of Here's Lucy is considered weak, but I think the show improves a little with season two. As a fan of old TV, I am on the fence whether or not I want to get these DVD's. I don't have I Love Lucy but I do have season one of The Lucy Show. Outside of a few episodes, I wasn't really all that amused with it. With all due respect to Lucy's work and career, her shows are generally not to my liking. Just not my cup of tea, I suppose.

gidgetgrape · 11-12-2009, 02:46 PM

I like Here's Lucy very much, but some of the episodes don't have resolutions. For example, Lucy and Viv Visit Tijuana. The episode ends with Lucy and Viv stuck in Tijuana and I'm left thinking, "What??? What's next?" But, I think with The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy, you just have to enjoy them and not analyze.

comedyfreak · 11-13-2009, 05:41 AM

I don't remember these episodes, I did order my season 2 and can't wait to watch them. I loved season 1 very much, the only season I would consider weak is her final season or when she broke her leg it was like her age had caught up to her. It's not her fault we all age, and Air Force academy episodes were one of my favorites. Especially when Lucy is dragged by the floor buffer.

retroTVfan4ever · 11-13-2009, 02:39 PM

Eventually I will probably get Here's Lucy on DVD. The price is not bad, and MPI always does a good job with their TV releases. CBS DVD is supposed to be working on The Lucy Show season two, so that's something else to look forward to.

HeresJames · 11-14-2009, 03:33 PM

I feel that "Here's Lucy"—especially the early seasons—can be loud, over the top, a little corny, and absurd. Sometimes those qualities are what make it the most fun and different. I do prefer the later seasons, especially 5 & 6, where the situations are a little less frantic and outrageous, and the characters of Lucy & Harry are allowed to mature and mellow a little (more pronounced in Season Six: "Mary Jane's Boyfriend", "Lucy is NG as RN", "Lucy and Phil Harris Strike Up the Band," are good examples of warm, funny later episodes.

Read this for a thoughtful defense of Lucille Ball's later TV work after "I Love Lucy": http://flowtv.org/?p=281

70s show watcher · 11-14-2009, 03:38 PM

i feel something got lost when desi jr left i cant put my finger on it but something is missing without him

gidgetgrape · 11-14-2009, 05:23 PM

Hey HeresJames!

"Lucy is NG as RN" is my favorite episode! I love it when Lucy mixes up Harry's food with the cat food.

dakert · 11-14-2009, 10:37 PM

Here's Lucy is a GREAT show that is a lot of FUN with Lucy, Gale Gordon, and her gorgeous kids Lucie and Desi Jr and a LOT of amazing Talented Guest Stars. I dont kow what some of you are watching but I am watching a Terrific Show.

comedyfreak · 11-17-2009, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dakert

Here's Lucy is a GREAT show that is a lot of FUN with Lucy, Gale Gordon, and her gorgeous kids Lucie and Desi Jr and a LOT of amazing Talented Guest Stars. I dont kow what some of you are watching but I am watching a Terrific Show.

I agree. My favorite part of the shows are the introductions by the kids and the guest stars.

11-10-2009, 10:32 AM	#1
ethelmaepotter Frequent Poster Member Join Date: Nov 03, 2005 Posts: 242	Here's Lucy...DON"T hate me please! I am an avid Lucy fan. I LOVE Lucy...and of course, Ethel too! I haven't seen Here's Lucy in ages and I was excited to see this series come out on DVD. While I am certain I will purchase every season of Here's Lucy, I have to say, these shows simply are not Lucy at her best. When Vivian Vance makes a guest appearance it is always golden. There have been a few guest stars who have made a splash, but the average "Here's Lucy" episode seems to be missing something. Of course, by this point, Lucy had been on TV for two decades and over 300 episodes of series to her credit, but what it seems is that this series is basically a rehashing of episodes from "I Love Lucy" or "The Lucy Show". I've been watching season 2 and I can't not understand what all the excitement and raves were about regarding the "road" shows. The two episode installment of Lucy going to the Air Force Academy had a few high points but it seemed a little trite and forced. Even Lucy herself admitted without a live studio audience she just didn't come alive. The one where she married the Indian Chief was just sort of silly and a bit lethargic. I think the surprise of this series is Desi Arnaz Jr. In many ways, he has gestures and facial responses like his father, and when there are scenes with just him and Lucy, it harkens back somewhat to the days of "I Love Lucy" when Lucy was trying to convince Ricky her madcap zaniness was justified. Also, Gale Gordon is not as blustery as Mr. Mooney. His character in "Here's Lucy" leans occasionally towards the Ethel Mertz character, an unwilling accomplice which makes for some good moments. Again, I LOVE Lucy, but "Here's Lucy" seems to be just a winding down of Lucy's reign as the Queen of Comedy. For my tastes, "I Love Lucy" and "The Lucy Show" are Lucy at her best.

11-13-2009, 05:41 AM	#4
comedyfreak Senior Member Where No One Has Gone Before Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 9,100	I don't remember these episodes, I did order my season 2 and can't wait to watch them. I loved season 1 very much, the only season I would consider weak is her final season or when she broke her leg it was like her age had caught up to her. It's not her fault we all age, and Air Force academy episodes were one of my favorites. Especially when Lucy is dragged by the floor buffer. __________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

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11-11-2009, 09:20 PM	#2
retroTVfan4ever Forum Regular Member Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 874	Season one of Here's Lucy is considered weak, but I think the show improves a little with season two. As a fan of old TV, I am on the fence whether or not I want to get these DVD's. I don't have I Love Lucy but I do have season one of The Lucy Show. Outside of a few episodes, I wasn't really all that amused with it. With all due respect to Lucy's work and career, her shows are generally not to my liking. Just not my cup of tea, I suppose.

11-12-2009, 02:46 PM	#3
gidgetgrape Senior Member Now in COLOR! Join Date: Sep 20, 2003 Posts: 2,269	I like Here's Lucy very much, but some of the episodes don't have resolutions. For example, Lucy and Viv Visit Tijuana. The episode ends with Lucy and Viv stuck in Tijuana and I'm left thinking, "What??? What's next?" But, I think with The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy, you just have to enjoy them and not analyze.

11-13-2009, 02:39 PM	#5
retroTVfan4ever Forum Regular Member Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 874	Eventually I will probably get Here's Lucy on DVD. The price is not bad, and MPI always does a good job with their TV releases. CBS DVD is supposed to be working on The Lucy Show season two, so that's something else to look forward to.

11-14-2009, 03:33 PM	#6
HeresJames Occasional Poster Member Join Date: Nov 08, 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 13	I feel that "Here's Lucy"—especially the early seasons—can be loud, over the top, a little corny, and absurd. Sometimes those qualities are what make it the most fun and different. I do prefer the later seasons, especially 5 & 6, where the situations are a little less frantic and outrageous, and the characters of Lucy & Harry are allowed to mature and mellow a little (more pronounced in Season Six: "Mary Jane's Boyfriend", "Lucy is NG as RN", "Lucy and Phil Harris Strike Up the Band," are good examples of warm, funny later episodes. Read this for a thoughtful defense of Lucille Ball's later TV work after "I Love Lucy": http://flowtv.org/?p=281

11-14-2009, 03:38 PM	#7
70s show watcher Senior Member Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: between point place and studio 8 h Posts: 3,225	i feel something got lost when desi jr left i cant put my finger on it but something is missing without him

11-14-2009, 05:23 PM	#8
gidgetgrape Senior Member Now in COLOR! Join Date: Sep 20, 2003 Posts: 2,269	Hey HeresJames! "Lucy is NG as RN" is my favorite episode! I love it when Lucy mixes up Harry's food with the cat food.

11-14-2009, 10:37 PM	#9
dakert Senior Member Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: altoona PA Posts: 2,194	Here's Lucy is a GREAT show that is a lot of FUN with Lucy, Gale Gordon, and her gorgeous kids Lucie and Desi Jr and a LOT of amazing Talented Guest Stars. I dont kow what some of you are watching but I am watching a Terrific Show.