Danny Thomas and Lucille Ball often did cross-overs on each others shows. Lucy Ricardo was seen on "Make Room for Daddy" in 1957 and Lucy Carter appeared on an episode of "Make Room for Granddaddy" in 1971. Thomas invited Lucille Ball to appear at the start of season two of "The Practice" to boost ratings. At this point, "Here's Lucy" had ended so Ball had to appear as a newly created character, Matilda Morrison.
Except for specials and award shows, this would be the last time Lucille Ball and Danny Thomas would act together on television. It is also the last time Lucille Ball would play a character on someone else's show.
"The Practice" aired opposite "Good Times" on CBS, a series created and written by Mike Evans. Essentially Evans was competing with himself.
This episode filmed on August 13, 1976, one week after Lucille Ball's 65th birthday.
While the visuals for the opening credits remained unchanged for the second season, the music changed to a new ragtime-style theme. During season one a more classical-sounding theme was used.