LUCY USES UP HER ALLOWANCE!

June 12, 1978

On June 12, 1978, Lucy Ricardo finally got her household allowance again, having used it all up in 1953 and for the next 25 years!  

LUCY: “I’ve used up my allowance till June the twelfth.”
ETHEL: “That not bad.”
LUCY: “June the twelfth 1978?”

The exchange happens in the second scene of “The Million Dollar Idea” (ILL  S3;E13) broadcast on January 11, 1954, but filmed November 28, 1953.

Coincidentally, in the previous episode, Lucy had a nightmare that Ricky left her for a sexy Cuban dancer and she is reduced to begging outside their theater with a grown-up Little Ricky on her lap, 25 years in the future – 1978!

In 1978, Ricky and Carlotta’s fans have also aged 25 years – although Ricky and Carlotta have not!

In reality, the last time we saw Lucy Ricardo was in April 1960, so there’s no way of knowing what she was doing in 1978. Coincidentally, June 12, 1978 is a Monday, the day of the week when all new Lucy programs first aired. 

MAKING ALLOWANCES

In “The Quiz Show” (ILL S1;E5), Ricky cuts off Lucy’s allowance until she can catch up with her household accounts. To make some extra cash, she goes on the radio quiz show ‘Females Are Fabulous’. 

When “Lucy Wants New Furniture” (ILL S2;E28), Ricky is angry that Lucy has bought new furniture against his wishes and brings it all down to the club untill she can pay for it out of her allowance.

In “The Business Manager” (ILL S4;E1) Ricky hires Mr. Hickox (Charles Lane) to watch over Lucy’s finances. He pays all the household bills out of Lucy’s allowance, leaving her a mere $5 for herself. 

On season one of “The Lucy Show” Charles Lane (as banker Barnsdahl) is once again responsible for doling out Lucy’s allowance, apparently from a trust fund left to her by her late husband. Like Mrs. Ricardo, Lucy Carmichael was always wheedling Mr. Barnsdahl – and later Mr. Mooney – to give her a few more dollars. 

In real life, performer Lucille Ball spent 1978 doing tributes: to the fabulous ‘50s, Gene Kelly, Henry Fonda, Milton Berle, Bob Hope, Jimmy Stewart, CBS, General Electric, the Ohio Jubilee, and even (unbelievably) Nashville!  

The closest Lucille gets to June 12th is a television appearance with Gary Morton and Lucie Arnaz on “Dinah!” on June 5, 1978.  

On June 12, 1978, Ron Howard appeared on the cover of People Magazine. Howard had played Opie in “The Andy Griffith Show” filmed on the Desilu backlot. He became fascinated with the film making process, gave up acting, and became a director.  

TV Guide listings for June 12, 1978  

9am – “Donahue” features ERA opponent Phyllis Schlafly, who was recently played by Cate Blachett in “Mrs. America” the final episode of which mentioned Lucie Arnaz. Cate Blanchett is slated to play Lucille Ball in a biopic about Lucy. Ball promoted Mame on “Donahue” in 1974. 

9:30am – “Hollywood Squares” hosted by Peter Marshall,

who played Lucy Carmichael’s brother-in-law Hughie in “Lucy’s Sister Pays a Visit” (TLS S1;E15) in 1963 and Dr. Carter in “Happy Anniversary and Goodbye” in 1978. 

10am – Lucille Ball might watch one of her favorite hosts Alex Trebek on “High Rollers”, a game show she had appeared on in 1977.  

11am – The morning rerun of “I Love Lucy” was “Equal Rights” (ILL S3;E4). 

6pm & 10pm – Two airings of “The Odd Couple” starring Tony Randall, who had appeared on “Here’s Lucy” in September 1971.

Here’s what things will cost Lucy when she finally gets her allowance again on June 12, 1978.  Hopefully, Ricky has raised her allowance to match the cost of living!  If they are still in Westport and are still in the chicken business, they don’t need to worry about the cost of eggs!