A classic episode that I remember from my childhood, this has Lucy and the Mertzs dressing up in various costumes (even with Fred in drag!) when Mr. Littlefield (Gale Gordon) doesn't renew Ricky's contract and hires another band. Lucy and Ethel keep the reservation line tied up at the Tropicana and within an hour, they have filled up the club for the evening and thanks to Fred and trunk of a quick change artist friend of his, they are able to go back and forth, fooling Gordon and the flustered maitre'd as they cancel their reservations upon discovering that Ricky isn't there anymore. There's hardly any Desi outside of the opening and closing but there's a general sense of irony in that scene. William Frawley at one point emulates the rubber legged Leon Errol, and delightfully exaggerates his sway while in drag. Absolute perfection. A great way to end the very long but classic filled first season.
Review of Ricky Asks for a Raise
