MovieChat Forums > I Love Lucy (1951) Discussion > Back-to-Back Viewing

Back-to-Back Viewing

posted 5 years ago by [email protected] (1732)
11 replies | jump to latest

Since I have a very stressful job, I sometimes need to unwind with ILL before bed. (Forget
the news, or politics, or current shows before bed). Sometimes I can do two, but they
sort of have to "go together." At least for me. In other words, I can't see myself watching
"Ricky Thinks He is Going Bald", followed by "Lucy Wants a Paris Gown." Now that doesn't
mean I don't switch seasons, I just sort of like a "theme." Here are episodes I think "back-
to-back" very well:

Lucy's Schedule
Ricky Asks For a Raise (they play like a part 1 and part 2, but really aren't, of course).

The Matchmaker
Lucy is Matchmaker

Ethel's Birthday
Lucy's Night in Town (both feature Broadway shows)

Nursery School
Little Ricky Gets Stage Fright

Any others?

[–] [email protected] (5512) 5 years ago

I always have to "pair up" episodes from the same season. Sometimes I get in the mood for the episodes when the Ricardos have just moved into the new apartment, so I like to watch "Lucy Gets New Furniture" and then "Lucy is Matchmaker".

If I watch the Hollywood episodes, I like to watch a few of them in a row. If it's the episodes before they go to Hollywood, I like to watch the episode when they buy a car and then "Lucy Learns to Drive".

[–] [email protected] (1732) 5 years ago

Another weird thing, is I tend to watch the two (or three) in broadcast order, not sure why - maybe it's because the
show had various plot points as the series went along.

There are exceptions. Last night, I had a craving for two:
"Lucy Changes Her mind"
"Lucy Hires a Maid"

I was so tired, I didn't think I could make two, so I watched the maid one first. I was laughing so hard (Verna
Felton is something else!), that I tried to stay with "Lucy Changes Her Mind", but fell asleep while they were
still in the restaurant (the last thing I remember was the waiter walking out).

You ever fall asleep during episodes?

[–] [email protected] (5512) 5 years ago

I also like to watch the episodes in order. I watch the "getting ready for Hollywood" episodes in order for example.

I tend not to fall asleep for episodes since I like to watch them while eating dinner. I have certain meals that I like to make which go with my "Lucy viewing". Sounds silly, but that's the way I am! For instance, I like to make a couple of cheesesteak sandwiches and watch some of the second or third season episodes which take place mainly in the Ricardo apartment. May sound silly, but it feels so cozy to me.

But I'm sure I've fallen asleep for an episode or two when I watch on the DVD player in my bedroom at night. I've fallen asleep for Dick van Dyke episodes or other shows. I was watching an episode of Columbo the other night and I fell asleep.

[–] [email protected] (1732) 5 years ago

Not as silly as it sounds. I, too, associate food with all my viewing. For instance, I tend to eat Chinese while
watching Woody Allen movies (they're mostly set in New York, so go figure). I eat Mexican with MGM musicals
(they're so California, despite the "New York, New York" feel of "On the Town", or the Midwest of "Meet Me in St. Louis").

ILL is different. I use it strictly before bed. It's cozy, and takes me out of the real world, which, let's face it, is
so awful right now. (Not to get political, but I'm disgusted with BOTH parties, and the general news is just
shootings, and other bad news.)

[–] [email protected] (5512) 5 years ago

Food with certain TV shows, I thought I was the only one! I like to eat mac 'n cheese when I watch episodes of Monk.

ILL does take me out of the real world which can be so crappy, politically speaking. I got into the habit of eating certain things when I watch Lucy. it's just that overall cozy feeling of having a meal with the Ricardos.

[–] [email protected] (1732) 5 years ago

Speaking of food with Lucy, sometimes I get cravings for things after viewing a certain episode. For
instance, I get a yen for pork chops after "Lucy's Schedule" (The Littlefields were serving that) or
"Lucy Changes Her Mind" (again, pork chops are mentioned). I also LOVE salads with bleu cheese
dressing, and that's what I always get a craving for when Lucy puts her salad dressing on the market
(even though it's not mentioned as bleu cheese).

Also, what exactly ARE those pastries that Lucy is eating at the end of the first scene of that ep (while
trying to avoid Ricky's interrogation of her overdrawn bank account)? To me, they resemble the
bottom halves of ice cream cones, dipped in frosting of some sort. Lucy says they are "gooey", but
they appear to crunch when she's eating them.

[–] [email protected] (5512) 5 years ago

I do get a craving for salad when Lucy bottles "Aunt Martha's Old Fashioned Salad Dressing". Every time Lucy mentions Ricky's favorite, arroz con pollo, I get a yen for chicken and rice.

One thing I love, which I know you don't, is eggs. When they were in the country and raising chickens, Lucy said, "We're getting our breakfast for free", I want some eggs. I love eggs.

I also get hungry for pizza in the episode where Lucy changes her mind and decides where they are going to eat. Ricky yells, "I want pizza!"
I only have to hear the word 'pizza' and I want some.

Those little pastries that Lucy is eating? Not sure what they are. They look like little cannolis. Crunchy on the outside and gooey on the inside.

[–] [email protected] (1732) 5 years ago

I do like scrambled eggs, I just don't like RUNNY eggs, with people dipping their toast in the yolk.
YUK. I do enjoy a hard boiled egg every now and again.

Here's a funny one. In the second season anniversary show, where Lucy keeps trying to remind
Ricky, she serves him a bowl of white rice. He smothers it in butter and salt. It looks so good
while he's eating it. But I have no patience in preparing rice, so I don't bother. No worries,
I get plenty of carbs elsewhere!

As I told you, I don't eat food with ILL because I only watch just before bed, and if I eat before
bed, I won't sleep. But I do enjoy FRESCA while watching. It's so refreshing, and I love sipping
a tall glass of it while viewing the show.

[–] [email protected] (5512) 5 years ago

Oh I forgot that you don't like runny yolks. I do, but I hate when the white is runny. That gags me.

The rice scene in ILL also makes me hungry for rice. You have no patience making it? Try Minute Rice! I discovered "boil in bag rice". I really like it because there's no messy clean up. Boil the water and stick the bag in for ten minutes. I don't even put the rice in a bowl. I just take out what I need and keep the rest in the bag. Could I GET any lazier? haha

Sometimes when my mom was cooking and rice was an ingredient, I'd ask her to save me some. I liked it with sugar and cinnamon.

I've always been able to eat before bed. Now I don't eat junk and I try to confine my late night snacking to things like yogurt.

Other "back to back" episodes that I tend to watch in order are the pregnancy episodes. When Ricky and Fred make breakfast for Lucy , I get hungry for waffles..

Lucy sees how they destroyed the kitchen and she asks, "You'd think they would've gotten ONE good waffle out of all this?"

[–] [email protected] (1732) 5 years ago

I also get hungry for tri tip (then ordered as "roast beef") in "Lucy's Night in Town." The
meal looks delicious, and I always liked lima beans, even though I haven't eaten them
in years.

I think it's so funny the way Lucy has to remind Ethel NOT to eat her food (a real challenge
for Ethel). She succeeds so well, that Fred questions why she's not "eating like a horse"
as usual.

[–] Daisy (3022) 5 years ago

I was so surprised that the shows were so connected and the story arc followed. I’m watching season 4 and it’s the first season I watched.