I Love Lucy

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Classic clowning from comic genius; for all ages.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this still-hilarious (and ubiquitous) 1950s comedy classic is entirely tame by contemporary standards, though some episodes do show the characters smoking or drinking. In one famous episode, Lucy gets more and more drunk as she films a commercial for Vegameatavitamin, showing alcohol consumption in a funny light. Also, old-fashioned family stereotypes (like the clueless housewife and the patronizing husband) form the basis of the show's narrative structure, and some racial stereotyping occurs, with Ricky's Cuban accent often becoming the butt of jokes.

  • Not applicable.
  • While the show wasn't out to teach any overtly positive messages, it has a warm nature and generally upbeat portrayal of friendship and marriage. That said, it's a product of its time, and there's definitely some material that wouldn't be considered PC today.
  • Lucy can be insecure and whiny, but she can also be creative and resourceful. Not surprisingly for the show's vintage, there's some stereotyping (based both on gender and race). But the Ricardos' mixed-race marriage was groundbreaking for 1950s TV.
  • Slapstick stuff -- poking behinds, bonking heads, etc.
  • None. They couldn't even say the word "pregnant." Lucy does vamp it up and use her "wiles" on Ricky from time to time, but it's all totally innocent.
  • Not applicable.
  • Early episodes were sponsored by a tobacco company, but references to this are no longer shown.
  • Smoking in some rarely seen episodes. Some drinking for comic effect or in the background. Lucy gets quite tipsy in the memorable Vegameatavitamin episode.

What's the story?

As Lucy Ricardo in I LOVE LUCY, Lucille Ball charms audiences with her clownish pranks and vaudevillian charades, She stars alongside her real-life husband, Desi Arnaz, who plays Lucy's husband, Cuban bandleader Ricky Ricardo. In a running theme of the series, Lucy tries all manner of disguises and tricks to gain a part in Ricky's nightclub show. William Frawley and Vivian Vance co-star as their neighbors, Fred and Ethel Mertz, who are often recruited into Lucy's many schemes. In one classic episode, Lucy and Ethel get jobs on the assembly line at a candy factory. But as the conveyor belt moves faster and faster, the duo can't keep up. So Lucy pops passing candies into her mouth as fast as she can -- and hilarity ensues.


Is it any good?

 

Despite its dated references and old-fashioned family dynamics, I Love Lucy remains hilariously entertaining. Lucille Ball was one of the greatest comic actors of all time and so her physical comedy is timeless. Her antics in this pioneering show have made it one of the top sitcoms in TV history. If younger viewers can get past the black-and-white presentation, even the littlest kids will enjoy her goofy faces and silly mishaps.


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about the difference between families in the 1950s and today. What do kids notice was different in the '50s, as demonstrated by the show?

  • How have things changed for the better (or the worse)? Specifically, how have the roles of women and minorities changed? What changes have parents been most affected by?

  • What makes Lucille Ball so funny?


This review was written by Sierra Filucci
Teen, 17 years old
April 9, 2008
 
Funny
I Love Lucy is a funny shows for all ages. I could watch the show all day every day. In fact I do. I Love Lucy is full of comidy. The show is bad in any way.

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Teen, 16 years old
July 26, 2009
 
The fuuniest show EVER!
Were to start? For one thing, it is extremely funny. Believe me, once your kids see this show, they will be able to distinguish true comedy from the crap that people call comedy today, especially on Disney Channel (e.g. Sonny With A Chance, Hannah Montana, The Suite Life On Deck, etc.). Another contributing factor is how well the acting is. All four actors are brilliant and the chemistry is definitely there. What I mean is that a lot of things that happen or have to do with the show also happen in real life. For example Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz are married in real life, so the love on the show is real. Also, in the show Ethel and Fred aren't exactly fans of each other, but that didn't take much acting because Vivian Vance and William Frawley hated each other in real life. Another plus is that in a lot of episodes there is singing, especially from Desi Arnaz (who is a very talented singer by the way). So all in all, this show is one of the greatest, if not the best, TV show of all time.

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Teen, 16 years old
July 24, 2009
 
My FAVORITE Show Ever NO JOKE!!
I have seen every episode at least 5 times. I watch about 4 epeisodes a day. I cant get enough. I dont think that there is anything wrong with this show. I mean, younger kids might not understand some of the jokes because, mainly, they are out of 'style'. Also, some kids might not like the BandW...But I am 100% in

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Teen, 18 years old
April 9, 2008
 
I cried! i laughed! it was great!!
best show ever!!!1

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Teen, 14 years old
April 9, 2008
 
this is one of my favourit shows

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Teen, 15 years old
April 9, 2008
 
LAUGH YOUR HEAD OFF!!!!!
dA BEST SHOW IN THE WORLD!! I LOVE THE HUMOR!!

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Kid, 11 years old
November 1, 2011
 
Hilarious!
This show is hilarious! Although my friends tease me about it, I don't care! I'm proud of liking this show.

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Parent of 15 year old
April 9, 2008
 
Great, Family-Friendly, FUNNY Show!
An American classic. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz are excellent. No objectionable content at all. Great show for all kids!

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Teen, 15 years old
August 29, 2011
 
Great for the Family!
This is a great series for the whole family! I laugh so hard every single time I watch Lucy that I start to cry. Lucille Ball is just the best female comedian ever! The best part is that shes FUNNY but CLEAN! Older teens may be bored of this, I understand. But I just love it! Love it! Love it!

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Adult
October 28, 2010
 
I like most episodes...
I like "I Love Lucy". It's funny, and there's hardly ever anything wrong with it. I remember in one episode,though, where "Ricky" treats "Lucy" like a complete child - to the extreme - that was weird. There's another episode that contains a seance, which is witchcraft. I wouldn't have kids or adults watch that one, even though it's just making fun. The fact that "Ricky" works at a nightclub isn't at all appealing, even though he just wears fancy suits and sings, but most episodes don't revolve around his work too much anyway.

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This review was written by Sierra Filucci
Topics:friendship
TV rating:TV-G
Networks:Syndicated, TV Land
Cast:Desi Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Vivian Vance
Genre:Comedy

This review was written by Sierra Filucci
 

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ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

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