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Ethel's Birthday

Comedy

TV-G

24

Nov 28, 1954

Despite the reservations of her husband, Lucy decides to help Fred pick out a birthday present for Ethel. She picks out a pair of toreador pants, which Ethel thinks are unflattering as well as too big.

Season 4, 30 episodes

Business Manager,

Ricky Ricardo hires business manager Mr. Hickox to solve the family budget problems. Lucy, dissatisfied with her new $5 per month allowance, manages to find a loophole in the business manager's system.

Mertz and Kurtz,

Lucy agrees to help her neighbor Fred Mertz impress an old vaudeville buddy who's in town for a visit. Lucy poses as the Mertzes maid "Bessie" to make Barney Kurtz believe Fred hit it big in real estate.

Lucy Cries Wolf,

Lucy feigns a crisis to test Ricky's love after hearing a story about a woman whose husband ignored her pleas for help while being robbed—she assumes Ricky would turn his back on her too.

The Matchmaker,

Lucy plays Cupid and tries to bag a bachelor for a husband-hungry girlfriend. Lucy organizes an evening to show her unmarried friends, Dorothy and Sam, how wonderful marriage is.

Mr. And Mrs. TV Show,

Ricky agrees reluctantly to host a new television show, sponsored by Phipps Department Store, and learns they'd like him to host with his wife Lucy. When Lucy finds out that Ricky didn't want her in the show, she sets out to sabotage the program.

Ricky's Movie Offer,

When Ben Benjamin arrives at the Ricardos' apartment, Lucy mistakes Ben Benjamin, a Hollywood talent scout, for a burglar and nearly ruins Ricky's chance for a film career.

Ricky's Screen Test,

Lucy sees Ricky's screen test as an opportunity to get discovered as a new movie star.

Lucy's Mother-In-Law,

Lucy Ricardo meets her Spanish-speaking mother-in-law for the first time and her efforts to be a gracious host turn disastrous. Lucy's inability to speak Spanish and her in-law's inability to understand Lucy's pantomime erects a wall of misunderstanding.

Ethel's Birthday,

Despite the reservations of her husband, Lucy decides to help Fred pick out a birthday present for Ethel. She picks out a pair of toreador pants, which Ethel thinks are unflattering as well as too big.

Ricky's Contract,

Ricky Ricardo paces the floor, awaiting word from Hollywood about his screen test. Lucy can't use the phone for fear the line will be busy when Ben Benjamin tries to call for Ricky.

A movie contract for Ricky necessitates a change in scenery and the hanging of a "for rent" sign on the Ricardos' New York home. The Mertzes, willing to give up tenants but not friends, sign on for the trip.

Lucy Learns To Drive,

For their trip out west, Ricky buys a new car to replace the old, beat-up one Fred bought. Lucy convinces her husband to teach her how to drive it. After one driving lesson, Ricky is a harried and beaten man.

California Here We Come,

Lucy's mother wants to join the Ricardos on their road trip out west. As anticipated, Ricky blows his stack when he hears that Lucy's mother wants to go along, and continues to complain that everyone's going on the trip.

The Ricardos and the Mertzes have a hard time finding accommodations that will please everyone on their trip to California. Ricky is driving and sacrifices his passengers' appetites for the sake of making mileage.

Tennesse Bound,

The Ricardos and the Mertzes are arrested when they're caught speeding in Bent Fork, Tennessee. Although Ricky just wants to pay the fine, Lucy protests that they are being treated unfairly.

Ethel's Home Town,

The Ricardos and the Mertzes, on the last leg of their NY-to-Hollywood motor trek, stop at Ethel's hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Under the impression that Ethel has been called to Hollywood by the movies, the townsfolk give her the star treatment.

After five weeks on the road driving across the country, the Ricardos and the Mertzes arrive at their destination – Hollywood. With stars in her eyes, Lucy heads for the Brown Derby, a restaurant frequented by celebrities, with Ethel and Fred in tow.

Don Juan and Starlets,

Lucy is jealous when Ricky is asked to pose with five beautiful starlets for publicity photos and tries to get herself in on the action by inserting herself into every shot. Lucy is even more upset when Ricky goes to his first Hollywood premiere.

Lucy Gets In Pictures,

Lucy is desperate to appear in a Hollywood movie after hearing the Mertzes have bit parts in an upcoming feature. She sets out to be "discovered" and lands a part in an MGM musical. She plays a showgirl in a glamorous nightclub scene but has some trouble.

The Fashion Show,

Lucy convinces Ricky to allow her to buy a Don Loper dress so she'll fit in with the Hollywood scene. Lucy and Ethel hit the couturier's salon but soon realize the dresses are way out of their price range.

The Hedda Hopper Show,

Lucy arrives in Hollywood with Little Ricky to meet her husband and his new press agent, who intends on making Ricky the "Cuban Liberace." Charlie Pomerantz plans a publicity stunt he hopes will get Ricky into Hedda Hopper's gossip column.

Don Juan Is Shelved,

Lucy learns her husband's film Don Juan will be shelved and works frantically with the Mertzes and Mrs. McGillicuddy to prevent it from happening. Together they write hundreds of fan letters and dress up as members of the Ricky Ricardo Fan Club.

Bullfight Dance,

Lucy has agreed to write an article entitled "What It's Like To Be Married To Ricky Ricardo" for a magazine when she learns from Ricky's press agent that Ricky is going to host a TV show. Lucy desperately wants to appear on the show with Ricky.

Hollywood Anniversary,

Ricky forgot the date of his 15th anniversary and desperately wires the records department in Greenwich, Connecticut where they were married to find out. In his defense, Ricky tells Lucy that he's already planned a big "surprise" anniversary party.

The Star Upstairs,

Lucy learns a movie star, Cornel Wilde, is staying in the penthouse directly above the Ricardos' apartment and sets out to catch a glimpse of the handsome actor.

In Palm Springs,

Lucy and Ricky, and Fred and Ethel are fed up with each other's annoying habits and decide they all need a break. They split up for a brief vacation and Lucy and Ethel decide they'll go to Palm Springs for a girls-only good time.

Lucy's friend Caroline Abbleby decides she'll pay Lucy a visit while on her way to Hawaii, and can't wait for Lucy to introduce her to all the stars she has supposedly befriended. Lucy's only solution is to trick her friend and set the stage for deceit.

Caroline Appleby is visiting from New York and is excited to see all the stars Lucy had promised. Of course Lucy exaggerated her access to celebrities but plans on fooling her nearsighted friend.

Ricky Needs An Agent,

Lucy decides that Ricky needs an agent to negotiate more money and cut down on his fruitless personal appearances, so she appoints herself. Her fast talking, no-nonsense actions result in the studio canceling Ricky's contract.

Although Ricky is having lunch with Richard Widmark, he refuses to introduce Lucy because she has become a legend around Hollywood for her crazy escapades.

Details

I Love Lucy

Comedy

TV-G

6

23

This classic sitcom centers around the hilarious adventures, and misadventures, of Lucy Ricardo and her bandleader husband Ricky Ricardo.

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