I Love Lucy is an absolute TV classic. It is one of the most popular sitcoms to ever air on television, and the reruns are still shown today. However, Lucille Ball starred in another sitcom in the 1960s that involved her “Lucy” persona: The Lucy Show. This time, she played Lucy Carmichael, a widow raising her two kids. She lives with her best friend, Viv, played by her I Love Lucy co-star Vivian Vance, and her son. Gale Gordan joined the cast as her future boss, Mr. Mooney.
It is a wonderful sitcom that was one of the most-watched TV shows in the 1960s. In fact, during the show’s sixth and final season, the ratings were still going strong, as it was the 2nd most-watched show that year right behind The Andy Griffith Show. It is a fantastic sitcom for those that enjoyed her original, iconic series. Here are the 10 best episodes of the series, ranked based on their IMDb score.
Lucy’s Contact Lenses (Season 3, Episode 10) – 8.6
Lucy decides to get new, expensive contact lenses. After making a chocolate cake for a bake sale, she realizes she lost one of her contact lenses. She destroys many cakes from the bake sale only to discover Mr. Mooney bought hers.
She and Viv decide to sneak into his house to make a switch so she can get it back. It is a ridiculous premise, but Lucille Ball’s performance, as always, makes it entertaining and fun from beginning to end.
Lucy Decides To Redecorate (Season 2, Episode 8) – 8.6
Lucy wants to redecorate her house, but Mr. Mooney will only give her a little bit of money to do some small repairs. In order to save money, Lucy and Viv attempt to do some of the major repairs themselves.
As always, things do not go according to plan. Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance always have great chemistry together, and viewers cannot help but feel sorry for them when mistakes and accidents happen in the house. Physical-comedy was always a highlight of the series, and this episode has some of the very best moments for Lucy and Viv to shine.
Lucy And The Missing Stamp (Season 3, Episode 14) – 8.7
Mr. Mooney buys a stamp worth $3,000. When Lucy accidentally loses it, she does everything she can to find it and bring it back to her boss.
This is a fun, fast-paced episode putting Lucy in a ridiculous situation, perfect for the kind of comedy Lucille Ball does best. Viewers cannot help but root for Lucy as she goes after that stamp with many obstacles in the way. It is simply fun entertainment.
Lucy Builds A Rumpus Room (Season 1, Episode 11) – 8.7
In order for Lucy and Viv to each get some privacy, they decide to turn the basement into a nice living area so they can entertain their dates. Things do not go as planned when they try to fix up the room, and they both end up glued to the wall. Only Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance can make a premise like this work. It is such a ridiculous concept, but their performances make the whole episode hilarious and fun to watch.
Lucy The Disc Jockey (Season 3, Episode 26) – 8.7
When Lucy wins a radio contest, she gets to be a disc jockey for a day. Hilarity ensues when things do not go right, and accidents happen the second she begins her duties. This classic episode is a fantastic ending to season three. It is basically a one-woman show for most of the episode; it is just Lucy trying her best to run a radio station. Lucille Balls makes this episode entertaining and one of the very best without needing any supporting characters or guest stars.
Lucy And Her Electric Mattress (Season 1, Episode 12) – 8.7
Lucy does not have access to her bed, and Viv has a new mattress that has not arrived at the house yet. Lucy and Viv end up spending the night in their sons’ bunk beds.
With such a simple concept, this series creates one of the funniest episodes in the whole series. Lucille Ball shines in this episode, proving her physical comedy skills were still at their very best during this time.
Lucy Puts Up A TV Antenna (Season 1, Episode 9) – 8.7
Lucy buys a new TV antenna. To save money, she forces Viv to help her put it on the roof. This just may be one of the best comedic episodes featuring the physical comedy of Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance, including their moments together on I Love Lucy.
The scenario is hilarious, and, as things start to get worse for the characters, the more laughs come from the viewers. It is an example of sitcom comedy at its finest.
Lucy And The Ceramic Cat (Season 3, Episode 16) – 8.8
When Mr. Mooney buys his wife a special present, Lucy is dying to know what it is. When Lucy and Viv take home the wrapped gift to save for Mr. Mooney, Lucy accidentally breaks it. Hilarity ensues as Lucy and Viv try to track down a duplicate gift before Mr. Mooney finds out. Once again, Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance have great chemistry, and Gale Gordan continues to shine as Mr. Mooney. It is a fantastic episode for those who love the show.
Lucy Visits The White House (Season 1, Episode 25) – 8.8
Lucy and Viv’s sons are in boy scouts, and they create a replica of the white house with sugar cubes. The president himself is impressed and invites all the boys over to the white house to show it to him. On the ride over, the replica is destroyed, and Lucy has to think fast and find a way to rebuild it before they arrive.
This is a fun episode that is sure to satisfy all Lucy fans. It is definitely one of the best in the series.
Lucy And Viv Put In A Shower (Season 1, Episode 18) – 8.8
Lucy annoys the plumber that was installing a shower stall. He leaves, and Lucy has to think of what to do. She, along with Viv, try to finish the job themselves. Things do not go according to plan, leading to one of the best physical-comedy scenes in the whole series, and it is even better than many moments between Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance on I Love Lucy. Their talent as comedians were unmatched at the time, and this is an example of one of their very best performances.
