The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour

The best episode of the entire series was the one with Tallulah Bankhead, as for once, Lucille Ball had a co-star and a female one at that who could match her toe-to-toe in everything. If Lucy dished it out, Tallulah dished it right back and then some. I don't know if it was scripted or not, but in one scene, it looked as if Lucy could have killed Tallulah just by her looks alone!!

It was the scene where Tallulah says.."when Miss Bankhead is bored, Miss Bankhead will tell you"--the reaction shot of Lucy was priceless!! The other episodes were passable, but this particular one is the stand-out.

I have to add that Lucille Ball in these one-hour shows is very attractive. The comedy is fresh and almost as enjoyable as the chocolate-eating scene from I Love Lucy. Predictable but very enjoyable is an appropriate way to describe this comedy. In addition to a cast of celebrities, there are some great scenes with chickens, horses, donkeys, and little Fred (a dog).

Each episode has a unique twist to it: a snowball fight with Danny Thomas, a horse race with Betty Grable, a chance to ice skate with Fernando Lamas.

It is a great way to spend a Saturday night.

It's true that the Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, even with the weekly celebrity guest star, was not as good as 'I Love Lucy'. However, it's still better than the vast array of shows that are on today.

The episode with Fred MacMurray and the prospecting had me laughing pretty hard. When Ethel is behind the wheel of the runaway junk car with Fred chasing her and Ricky says 'Look! She's even trying to leave Fred!', it was a hoot.

Or the scene in 'Lucy Goes to Havana' and she and Ann Southern are drunk in a cell and Ann Southern puts a glass of (unknown to them) spiked water in her purse and says 'I wan' my mudder to taste this' (an improvised spot), it's funnier than the stupid so-called comedies of today.

And the last episode, Lucy Meets the Mustache. Where Edie Adams sings 'That's All', a song about everlasting love, it's so heartbreaking, knowing the back story about Lucy and Desi. Edie said that Lucy's eyes were red all the time though Edie and Ernie Kovacs didn't know the complete situation.

Is there anything on today that can move an audience like that? I don't think so.

I can't agree with the other comments, I've never found these shows particularly funny. For me, I found that the magic was gone, and since Lucy and Desi's marriage was ending, I think that transferred to the screen. I also think the hour long concept just didn't work for that type of show. The format was too long and it allowed for too many long pauses between what little laughs there were. It's like watching a show where everything and everyone are the same but everything isn't the same. Except for the Tallulah episode, which everyone agrees is the best of these shows, the other shows should be watched for pure TV history only.

Lucille Ball is the greatest comic of all time. All of Lucy's shows were fun, light, and campy. It was great to see Lucy, Ricky, Fred, Ethel, and then Lucy, Viv, Gale, the kids, and Mary Jane all acting together. Fans now have the complete series of I Love Lucy and The Lucy Desi Comedy Hour. I hope to see complete series releases of The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy, and Life With Lucy. All of these shows are important parts of Lucy's television history. If you haven't voted yet, please do so at tvshowsondvd.com. Maybe we will get some good news on a future release!! The more votes, the more fans can show their enthusiasm!! Can you imagine owning all the Lucy shows in your own collection?!?!?