Some claim to have received their education from colleges or universities, while others give credit to the “school of hard knocks.” I’m proud to say I have experienced both. Although most of my reading, writing and arithmetic skills came to me as a result of my formal education, my basic common sense came from a rather unconventional source— reruns of I Love Lucy. Since I was old enough to watch television, I have been fascinated with the red-headed actress wannabe and her handsome Cuban husband. They make me laugh, and sometimes they make me cry. Most importantly, they form the deep tie that binds me to my lifelong friend Becky.
Becky and I grew up next door to one another. Since both sets of parents worked, she and I spent our summers doing chores, playing, and, you guessed it, watching television. Our mornings would start at 9am with Becky coming over to my house through the side gate. We’d quickly switch on channel 11 and wait for the I Love Lucy theme song. “Ooh, which episode will it be today? The one where Lucy and Ethel dress up like Martians? The one with the giant loaf of bread? Or could it be the time Lucy stomps on the grapes?” It really didn’t matter to us. We loved them all— all 179 episodes.
So much of life’s situations remind me of various skits from those vintage telecasts. Here are some of the lessons I have learned from watching Lucy!
The Amateur Hour — Episode 14
Lucy needs money to pay for an expensive dress. She looks for a quick way to earn money. Finds a babysitting job that pays $5 an hour (the going rate at that time was about 50 cents an hour.) Lucy discovers that the high salary was to cover damages and stress caused by twin eight-year-old boys who try to burn her at the stake.
Lesson: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
Lucy Plays Cupid — Episode 15
Lucy decides to play matchmaker for an elderly neighbor (played by Bea Benaderet— the voice of Betty Rubble on the Flintstones cartoon series) and a distinguished local grocer (played by Edward Everett Horton— one of the voices on the The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show.) The grocer misunderstands Lucy’s intentions and declares his love for her.
Lesson: Leave matchmaking to the experts!
Lucy Does a TV Commercial — Episode 30
Determined to break into show business, Lucy auditions for a commercial on a show Ricky is emceeing. After several rehearsals in a row, Lucy gets snockered on the Vitameatavegamin tonic she is advertising— which turns out to be 23-percent alcohol. Instead of reciting the line as written— “Are you tired, rundown and listless; do you poop out at parties; are you unpopular?” — Lucy, in her state of drunkenness, asks “Do you pop out at parties; are you unpoopular?”
Lesson: Read the instructions and ingredients on all over-the-counter medications!
More Lucy lessons to come! in another issue!
