“Ricky and Fred Are TV Fans”

“I’m tired of playing second fiddle to a television set.”

(S2;E30 ~ June 22, 1953) Directed by William Asher. Written by

Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh and Bob Carroll, Jr. Filmed May 22, 1953 at General Service Studios. Rating: 43.8/64

Synopsis ~ The girls feel neglected when the boys are glued to the TV to watch boxing. Lucy’s plan to get their attention ends with them getting arrested!

This episode skillfully combines concerns about urban crime with America’s growing television obsession. In 1948 less than one-half of one percent of the nation had had a TV but by April 1953 more than one-third of all US homes owned a set. Shows like “I Love Lucy” drove TV set sales, which increased demand for more (and better) programming.

The episode opens on Ricky reading TV Guide with HM Queen Elizabeth II on the cover. This episode aired three weeks after her coronation. On September 9, 2015, Elizabeth became the longest serving monarch in British history, surpassing Queen Victoria. In the Lucyverse, Lucy and Ricky perform for the newly crowned monarch in “Lucy Meets the Queen” (S5;E15). Of course, Lucille Ball and newborn Desi Junior graced the cover of the very first TV Guide in April 1953, just two months before this episode was filmed.

In the living room an alarm clock (curiously facing away from Ricky, but toward the camera) goes off, letting the boys know that it is time to turn on the TV to watch the fight.  10:05 is a curious time for a fight to begin – let alone to set an alarm!  

The championship boxing match that Ricky and Fred are watching pits ‘The Kid’ against Murphy. A heavyweight boxer named Irish Bob Murphy famously fought Jake LaMotta in June 1952. Kid Gavilán was a welterweight boxer from (unsurprisingly) Cuba, who was world champion in 1952. Naturally Ricky bets on ‘The Kid’, while Irishman Fred is in Murphy’s corner.

The announcer says the fight is coming from the “Rainbo Arena – the largest stadium in the East.” This could be a reference to the historic Chicago venue that was demolished in 2003. Chicago, however, is generally considered the Midwest, not the East. Later in the episode Ethel makes reference to the Madison Square Garden, a more likely sight of a championship boxing match. The gang will perform at the Garden in “Lucy Goes to the Rodeo” (S5;E8).

ETHEL (about Fred): “Ya know he’s got himself trained so he can do anything in less that a minute.”

This comment is supposed to refer to the amount of free time between rounds of a boxing match, although the audience’s extended laugh and Lucy’s pause implies a racier double entendre!

Two episodes earlier, in “Lucy Wants New Furniture” (S2;E28), there is a reference to the historic 1919 prize fight between Jack Dempsey and Jess Willard.  Also in that episode, forced to economize, Lucy cuts out her new dress using a razor blade because the only kind of scissors she had were cuticle scissors.  Here, Lucy instantly pulls a huge pair of shears from the kitchen drawer with which to cut the wires!  

Sitcom Logic Alert!  Had Lucy cut the wires with the metal scissors without protective gloves, she would have been electrocuted! 

ETHEL: “Listen, I happen to own this building!”
COP: “Yeah, and I’m J. Edgar Hoover.”

That same year, Director of the FBI J. Edgar Hoover opened what became a 50-page ‘spy file’ on Lucille Ball when a House Committee on Un-American Activities probe revealed she had once registered to vote as a communist. Hoover was mentioned on “The Great Train Robbery” (S5;E5), after which he wrote Lucille Ball a fan letter!  

The rooftop setting was used earlier in the season for “Vacation from Marriage” (S2;E6) with Lucy and Ethel hiding from their husbands and getting locked out. 

Sponsor Philip-Morris took advantage of the diner setting to decorate the set with advertising. 

The special of the day is Franks & Potato Salad and Tomato Soup. Some of the 1953 menu prices:

• Roast Beef Sandwich – 40 cents
• Ham & Cheese Sandwich – 40 cents
• Grilled Cheese Sandwich – 25 cents
• Pie – 15 cents
• Ham & Lettuce – 30 cents

The sign for Ham & Lettuce and… has been redacted, but probably said Coca-Cola or Pepsi-Cola. Underneath that a Philip Morris signs says “Don’t Forget Cigarettes”.  The diner also offers waffles, corned beef, French dip, pork & beans, a plate lunch, toasted cheese, and SANDWICHES! 

Oops!  The New York Police Department has no Precinct 31, but Precincts 30 and 32 are in the Manhattan North NYPD Borough. Had the address of the Mertz apartment house not been in the East River, it would also be in the Manhattan North Borough.

LUCY (to the Policeman): “My hair is naturally red – isn’t it Ethel?” 
ETHEL: “Uh, look Lucy, let’s not add perjury to our other charges.”

When mistakenly arrested, Lucy are suspected to be ‘Sticky Fingers Sal’ and ‘Pickpocket Pearl’, respectively. In “Too Many Crooks” (S3;E9) both are thought to be Madame X. In “Lucy Cries Wolf” (S4;E3) Lucy is abducted by robbers and tied up. 

It is eventually discovered that Sticky Fingers Sal and Pickpocket Pearl were arrested June 15, 1952 and sentenced and committed to ten years at the state prison farm on May 12, 1953, clearing Lucy and Ethel.

Larry Dobkin plays Max, the diner counter man. He will return to the series to play a waiter in “Equal Rights” (S3;E4) and then as a counterfeiter in “Paris at Last” (S5;E18).

Allen Jenkins (Officer Jenkins, badge #585) first wore blue for Desilu in “New Neighbors” (S1;E21) and would return to the force for “Too Many Crooks” (S3;E9). He was seen in the 1939 film Five Came Back with Lucille Ball. He also voiced Sergeant Dibble on the cartoon "Top Cat” (1961-62).  Frank Nelson (Desk Sergeant Nelson) is probably best remembered as quiz master Freddy Fillmore, although he made a dozen appearances on the show, including playing Ralph Ramsey in season 6.

Sitcom Logic Alert! Sergeant Nelson keeps his gun under the counter. Officer Jenkins leaves Lucy’s shears lying on the counter top. So much for the care of deadly weapons and evidence!  

Mrs. Trumbull and Little Ricky are mentioned, but do not appear in this episode. 

FAST FORWARD

In the first season of “The Lucy Show” (1962) Lucy Carmichael and Viv also go up on the roof and get involved with TV reception! 

When Lucy Carmichael joins the thin blue line as a meter maid in 1964, Viv calls her J. Edna Hoover!  He is also mentioned  (“Anything for J. Edgar!”) in “The Great Train Robbery” (ILL S6;E5) in 1955. After this episode aired, J. Edgar Hoover, head of the FBI at the time, sent a very nice letter to Lucille Ball saying how much he enjoyed hearing his name mentioned in the episode.