“Pregnant Women are Unpredictable”

(S2;E11 ~ December 15, 1952) Directed by William Asher. Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh and Bob Carroll, Jr. Filmed October 10, 1952 at General Service Studios. Rating: 68.1/92

Synopsis ~ Lucy can’t make up her mind about what to name the baby and then thinks Ricky only cares about her because she is in the family way.

The word ‘pregnant’ wasn’t allowed to be used in any of the show’s dialogue, but ironically, was used in the title. The viewing audience did not actually see the titles of the episodes, which at this point were mostly used internally. The word ‘expectant’ might have been substituted, since Fred actually says, “Expectant mothers are the most unpredictable creatures in the world.”

The episode opens with Lucy reading from a book titled “Infant Care” and practicing bathing and diapering with a doll.

In 1952, an “I Love Lucy” infant doll was marketed by the American Character Doll Company, retailing for $9.98. Since the sex of the baby was not known on the show, the doll did not specify a gender either!

The names Gregg and Joanne – two of Lucy’s name choices – are the names of producer / head writer Jess Oppenheimer’s children. The names Robert and Madelyn (saved for the final line of the show) were chosen to honor writers Bob Carroll and Madelyn Pugh. Other names Lucy considers are:

• Scott or Pamela
• Philip or Cynthia
• John or Mary
• Romeo or Juliet
• Pierrepont or Sharon

As soon as Lucy considers naming the baby Philip if it’s a boy, Ricky sarcastically chimes in “and Morris if it is a girl?” The writers cleverly work in the name of the show’s sponsor once again!

LUCY: “I want the names to be unique and euphonious.”
RICKY: “Okay, Unique if it is a boy, and Euphonious if it is a girl.”

Fred thinks the baby will be named after him. Little does he know that the baby’s dog will be named after him instead!

Searching the cupboards for the waffle mix, Ricky actually has it in his hand: Aunt Jemima Pancake & Waffle Mix. Aunt Jemima pancake mix debuted in 1889 and the Quaker Oats Company first registered the Aunt Jemima trademark in April 1937. Aunt Jemima originally came from a minstrel show as one of their pantheon of stereotypical Black characters. It is still a brand leader, although in 2020 they retired the Aunt Jemima character for good. He also holds a box of Carnation Corn Flakes. Although the Carnation company still exists, they stopped making Corn Flakes some time in the 1960s. However, the product was only sold on the West Coast, so it wouldn’t have been found in a New Yorker’s cupboard.

After helping Ricky locate the waffle iron and the waffle mix (while she’s supposed to be resting), he asks her to find the salt. On Lucy’s stove top are three shakers: salt, pepper, and Accent, a seasoning blend comprised primarily of MSG. Owens of Illinois marketed a three-shaker set, which Lucy owned.

Lucy’s favorite breakfast is waffles. Lucy tries to make waffles in “The Business Manager” (S4;E1), but learns the electricity has been turned off after already pouring the batter in the waffle iron. She again serves waffles when they are on “Breakfast With Ricky and Lucy”, the TV show sponsored by Phipps Department Store in “Mr. and Mrs. TV Show” (S4;E5).

Ricky and Fred’s experiment in waffle-making results in a mess of a kitchen – not unlike their attempt at making dinner in “Job Switching” (S2;E1).

Bennett Green, Desi’s camera and lighting stand-in and frequent on-camera talent, plays the Deliveryman. This time he wears a mustache to look slightly different. Lucy doesn’t bother to tip!

At the Tropicana, the Ricardos and the Mertzes are dancing to the Ricky Ricardo orchestra playing “You Belong to Me” by Pee Wee King, Chilton Price, and Redd Stewart. It was first recorded by Sue Thompson, but was soon covered by Patti Page, and then Jo Stafford, who made it one of the top-charting songs of 1952.

Background player Bess Flowers is seen dancing at the Tropicana, something she also did the night Lucy’s pregnancy was announced in “Lucy is Enceinte” (S2;E10). Coincidentally, Lucy is wearing the same outfit she wore then. By the end of her career, had appeared in more than 700 films and TV shows. She was featured in many “I Love Lucy” episodes, most noticeably directly behind Lucy and Ricky during the “Over The Teacups” scene in “Ethel’s Birthday” (S4;E8). She was seen in the background of 17 Lucille Ball films and also made five appearances on “The Lucy Show.”

Also dancing at the Tropicana is Joan Carey. She was born Joan Somerville Norbury in Yorkshire, UK and carved out a brief career as an actress and dancer before moving to small roles in front of and behind the camera. In 1952, she became a regular fixture as a “Lucy” background artist through 1974. She served as Lucille Ball’s stand-in from the fourth season of “The Lucy Show” until at least the penultimate season of “Here’s Lucy.”

Ricky sings “Cheek to Cheek” written by Irving Berlin for the 1935 movie Top Hat. It was originally sung (and danced) by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Coincidentally, a blonde Lucille Ball had a small (uncredited) role in that movie as a sales girl in a flower shop. The song was nominated for Academy Award in 1936.