I recently discussed the worst episodes of acclaimed series All in the Family and The Andy Griffith Show. This time I’m turning the tables and looking at the best episodes of a frequently maligned show — Here’s Lucy. Lucille Ball’s third hit sitcom was popular with viewers, finishing in the top 10 its first four seasons, before dropping to 15th and 29th, respectively, in its final two years.
Despite the high ratings, the series was generally not beloved by critics and still has its detractors today. It not only suffers in comparison to I Love Lucy and the early years of The Lucy Show, but it was also wildly inconsistent. Its worst episodes, which comprise about a third of the show’s output, are deservedly panned. Stupid plots (“Lucy & Candid Camera”), just plain boring episodes (“Lucy and the Professor”), and way too many musical episodes plagued the show. Another third of the episodes were just plain meh—watchable thanks to a few humorous moments, but largely forgettable.
All this negativity ignores the fact that about a third of Here’s Lucy episodes were good to excellent, and added to Ball’s legacy. Though considered old-fashioned as sitcoms evolved in the early 1970s, the series had a wild, anything-can-happen streak that can still be enjoyed today, best epitomized by these 10 episodes.
- Lucy the Fixer
January 6, 1969
A nearly non-stop laugh riot of slapstick destruction. The setup is perfect, as Lucy’s condescending boss/brother-in-law, Harry, arrogantly lectures her about saving money. She takes his admonitions to heart by trying to fix an electrical issue at his house, so he doesn’t have to hire an electrician. The result? She destroys his living room, piece by hilarious piece.
The outrageous gags build perfectly. The ever-confident and incompetent Lucy destroys something. Temperamental Harry goes ballistic. Repeat until the audience is exhausted from laughing. Lucy and Gale Gordon so often lift weak material, but when there’s good stuff on the page, they knock it out of the ballpark.
- Lucy Meets the Burtons
September 14, 1970
The series’ most famous episode benefits from an impeccable cast and a great script.
Lucy, Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, and Gale Gordon work together perfectly.
In addition to the marquee guest stars, this episode is elevated by the presence of I Love Lucy writers Bob Carroll, Jr. and Madelyn Davis, penning their first Lucy script since 1964. While the story is nothing new (Lucy getting a ring stuck on her finger and doing her “hands behind a curtain” routine), it suits the guest stars, and it sparks many sharp, intelligent punchlines and wonderfully paced slapstick.
Lucy and Burton dominate the episode, making a great comedy team. It’s fun to see celebrity-worshipping Lucy treat Burton with sarcasm when she doesn’t realize who he is, then switch to nervous adulation once it’s confirmed that he is indeed Richard Burton. Burton delivers his lines with relish. Lucy and Harry’s reactions to Taylor’s rock keep the comedy moving. Even if it’s familiar, the behind-the-curtain gag works wonderfully in the last scene.
- Lucy Protects Her Job
December 22, 1969
A well-developed and original story provides a showcase for Gale Gordon, Lucy, Lucie Arnaz, and semi-regular Mary Jane Croft.
The clever plot has Harry switching tactics and trying to be nice to Lucy, hoping she will be more effective with a nice boss. Not only does this give Gordon fun bits to play, but Lucy also reacts cleverly, as she has no idea what’s happening. It’s particularly fun to see Gordon go from acting nice to one of his inevitable, well-timed blow-ups, as Harry can’t seem to help himself.
Gordon’s mugging gets the final scene off to a great start as he takes a barrage of comedic abuse. Arnaz makes her most significant contribution to the series by disguising herself as an outrageously incompetent secretary character. The “Eunuch” Employment Agency joke is one of the series’ best remembered.
- Lucy and Uncle Harry’s Pot
February 12, 1973
Writer Bob O’Brien worked for Lucy off and on for a decade, penning many mediocre scripts, but this one is a welcome exception.
During some typical bickering with Harry, Lucy breaks a pot made by his beloved former secretary. Realizing this was no small mistake, Lucy goes to a ceramic shop to see if they can restore the piece. Predictably, but hilariously, she is like a bull in a china shop.
Deciding to make Harry a new pot, she makes a terrible mess in a pottery class, adding another layer of comedic chaos to the episode. The segment concludes with Lucy and Harry setting aside their bickering and expressing growing affection for each other.
5. Lucy and Harry’s Tonsils
October 20, 1969
The producers of Here’s Lucy occasionally took the show out on location in search of new stories. However, without the studio audience, most of these episodes lack energy. After performing four straight episodes on the road, the series’ players are energized by this return to the studio.
Gale Gordon’s Uncle Harry has already been established as self-centered, so this script brings out some nice character humor as he displays an out-of-proportion fear of a tonsil operation. Lucy and Mary Wickes provide great support, but Gordon steals the show with his silent anger when he loses his voice.
6. Lucy’s Vacation
January 4, 1971
Many of the series’ best episodes focus on Lucy and Harry’s conflicts at the office.
Lucy is hoping for one of her temporary firings so she can take a vacation. At the same time, Harry’s psychiatrist recommends that he be nice to Lucille for one week. Their agendas confuse each other. Gordon’s pain in trying to be nice and Lucy’s confusion and aggravation at being unable to get to Harry make for great comedy.
The final scene is nearly as funny as the twists keep coming. Lucy’s attempt to aggravate Harry by wearing a hippie costume makes for a fantastic visual gag.
7. Lucy and the Group Encounter
December 18, 1972
A rare contemporary plot is mixed with the show’s old-fashioned slapstick touch. Lucy and Harry go to a group encounter to help them discuss their differences.
Forced to express themselves without words, they trade hilarious expressions and manifest their anger by getting aggressive. Then the two must regress to three-year-olds in a brilliantly performed scene. A role reversal back at the office keeps the laughs going and confuses everyone who visits.
8. Lucy is N.G. as R.N.
January 21, 1974
The series concludes on a positive note, as the second half of the final season features several strong episodes, with this one standing out as the best.
Lucy is running ragged as she must care for an injured Harry and Mary Jane, her sick daughter Kim, and a pregnant cat. There are some big laughs in this lively episode, especially when Harry must relay Mary Jane’s requests to Lucy. Mary Jane’s goofy voice, along with Harry’s exasperation and mocking of Mary Jane, make this scene hilarious.
The rest of the episode remains funny, particularly the farcical final scene, which involves a mix-up between a doctor and a veterinarian that is full of misunderstandings and double meanings.
9. Tipsy Through the Tulips
November 12, 1973
One of the strengths of this series was giving Lucy believable interactions with guest stars when she took on assignments for the employment agency where she works. This time, she has to keep a mystery writer (Foster Brooks) from drinking so he can finish his latest book.
While it’s partially just an excuse for Brooks to do his drunk routine, he performs it perfectly and is believable as a mystery writer in his sober moments. The first act is full of imaginative visual jokes as Brooks hides booze everywhere.
The second act is nearly as fun as Brooks continues to sneak drinks and spikes Lucy’s punch. Her drunk routine is just as masterful as Brooks’.
- With a Friend Like Viv, Who Needs an Enemy?
February 21, 1972
This episode gives you a hint of how much better the series would have been with Vivian Vance as a regular, and Carroll & Davis writing more of the scripts.
This is easily Vance’s best guest appearance on the series. The script uses her to great advantage, and her wisecracking delivery remains strong. When Lucy angrily exits her job, Vivian assumes Lucy won’t return and fills the position herself. This leads to a lot of comedic tension between Lucy and Vivian, as well as between Lucy and Harry.
The plot smartly has all three miserable with the situation. Harry is bored because Viv is too efficient. Lucy misses her job, the money, and even Harry. Vivian considers Harry to be incompetent and can’t wait to quit, but delays leaving when she finds out Lucy and Harry have a scheme to fool her into quitting. It’s all in good fun and reminiscent of some of Lucy’s past glory.
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