Despite Viv's complaints of a bad back and lumpy mattress, Lucy refuses to shell out for a new one. After Chris helps Lucy figure out that the mattress is 25 years old, guilt makes Lucy purchase a fancy new electric vibrating mattress.
This episode is notable because it contains not one --but TWO -- big block scenes for Lucy and they are two of the most memorable of the whole series.
The part where Lucy relaxes on the bed is terrific. As soon as you see the feather duster vibrating in her hand you know it's going to be good. The piece de resistance is Lucy using the mop to "row" the bed across the room and when it pins her against the wall. The way she pulls the plug is funny too. It's rare to have such a strong scene in the first act but things just keep getting better.
The script has Lucy and Viv playing musical beds - sort of - and they end up sharing the bunks in the boys' room - which leads to one of the most famous scenes of the series. Lucy needs stilts to get to the top bunk and Ms. Ball milks this scene for all she's got. The cherry on top is when Viv -- having slept through Lucy's entire ordeal with the stilts -- is awoken by Lucy's crunching of a potato chip. The writers brilliantly worked in Viv's obsession with food in a hilarious way. Also great is Lucy's casual beckoning "come on up" gesture to Viv.
When Lucy has to basically repeat the routine a second time, it's actually a welcome delight instead of seeming repetitive. Plus, we get the look of horror on Vivian's face as Lucy charges towards the upper bunk on stilts.
There is another reference to Viv's claustrophobia as well as a few digs at her weight. You can hear loud guffaws from one male audience member who is especially loud during the stilts routine. This is the only episode (besides LUCY BUYS A BOAT) this season that does not have any guest stars in it. The principals are so good, none are needed.
This is the best episode of Season 1 and one of the best of the entire series. The script is perfect and does not contain one extraneous line of dialogue. This rivals anything the ladies ever did on I LOVE LUCY. Not to be missed! If you watch only one episode of this show, make it this one.
This episode is notable because it contains not one --but TWO -- big block scenes for Lucy and they are two of the most memorable of the whole series.
The part where Lucy relaxes on the bed is terrific. As soon as you see the feather duster vibrating in her hand you know it's going to be good. The piece de resistance is Lucy using the mop to "row" the bed across the room and when it pins her against the wall. The way she pulls the plug is funny too. It's rare to have such a strong scene in the first act but things just keep getting better.
The script has Lucy and Viv playing musical beds - sort of - and they end up sharing the bunks in the boys' room - which leads to one of the most famous scenes of the series. Lucy needs stilts to get to the top bunk and Ms. Ball milks this scene for all she's got. The cherry on top is when Viv -- having slept through Lucy's entire ordeal with the stilts -- is awoken by Lucy's crunching of a potato chip. The writers brilliantly worked in Viv's obsession with food in a hilarious way. Also great is Lucy's casual beckoning "come on up" gesture to Viv.
When Lucy has to basically repeat the routine a second time, it's actually a welcome delight instead of seeming repetitive. Plus, we get the look of horror on Vivian's face as Lucy charges towards the upper bunk on stilts.
There is another reference to Viv's claustrophobia as well as a few digs at her weight. You can hear loud guffaws from one male audience member who is especially loud during the stilts routine. This is the only episode (besides LUCY BUYS A BOAT) this season that does not have any guest stars in it. The principals are so good, none are needed.
This is the best episode of Season 1 and one of the best of the entire series. The script is perfect and does not contain one extraneous line of dialogue. This rivals anything the ladies ever did on I LOVE LUCY. Not to be missed! If you watch only one episode of this show, make it this one.
