That was an old vaudeville bit. Most likely done for this show because Fred and Ethel were in vaudeville when they first married. But its STILL funny as hell. The one time Frawley breaks the 4th wall and looks directly at the audience with the tree had me in stiches. The expression on his face was hysterical!
What do you mean? She and Fred were in vaudeville when they were first married. Their act was Mertz and Mertz. Prior to their marriage Fred's partner was Barney Kurtz and they were 'laugh till it hurts with Mertz and Kurtz.'
Yeah Ethel was ALWAYS supporting Lucg in all her cray-cray antics.. I felt her friends were a lit hard on her and Ricky really jealous. Let the lady have one moment of fame🙄
I LOVE the way Ethel starts to sing first way off key and then horribly after she discovers Lucy, Ricky and Fred behind her. Vivian Vance was actually a very good singer with a beautiful voice so you can tell she had to do some serious acting there to throw her voice and pitch so far off!
"My Hero", which Ethel does as her second number, was for many years the go-to song for young girls at theatrical auditions or community musical recitals (much the way that "The Impossible Dream" or ⁹Piano Man" are today at karaoke bars).
I love this whole scene and agree with many here that Fred and the growing plant was the best part. But also loved when Ethel asked if they want her to sing another sad song and the other three appeared behind her. Then when the audience applauded, the way Ethel went, "Ohhh!" thinking it was for her!
The routine with Fred carrying an ever-growing tree back and forth is an old vaudeville gag, probably originated with Ole Olsen and Chic Johnson, suggesting that the act is too long, well-worn, and/or boring.
I like the man eating tiger bit and how Desi walks out eating the tiger prop and showing it to everyone and he seems to enjoy it so it must have been a tasty tiger.
Vivian Vance was a very beautiful woman back then. But it was in her contract with Desilu that while playing Ethel, she had to remain 20 pounds overweight and wear frumpy dresses in order to appear much older than Lucy when in real life they were only about 2 years apart in age.
I think what is going on is that she is remaining in character when she laughs. She is choosing to believe that the audience is laughing about the song, not realizing they are laughing at the Vaudeville act behind her.
Still love this scene. I noticed this time there are a couple moments where Vivian Vance almost laughs because she can clearly IRL see the others behind her moving about.
It was good to see Vivian featured in a number where she gets to show her singing talensts. Also, I have seen that plant routine several times thru the years in different comedy numbers although I don't know who started it. It is always funny.
Eddie, the plant eventually evolving into a full grown tree was to signify Ethel hogging the stage long enough for the tree to grow and was first used in the Broadway show HELLZAPOPPIN
When I was a kid, I was a bit irked with the ending. But as I got older, I realized Ethel deserved her moment. This was her homecoming and it's probably the only episode where Ethel comes out on top at the end. I love the gags Lucy, Ricky, and Fred do in the background but Ethel dominates.
Context: After the show, a reporter who is childhood friends with Ethel comes up to take a photo of everyone. He loves the performance. So he gathers them for a photo. Ethel is a bit annoyed and the others are smiling with accomplishment. Then the reporter, as he's about to take the photo, "A great headline for the show: Ethel Potter and Friends"! Ethel suddenly smiles likes a movie star while the others kind of groan visually. (Potter is Ethel's maiden name)
@@eloiseockert9233 I agree with you about the Andy Griffith show, but I can live the rest of my life without seeing the Honeymooners. For some reason that show disgust me.
I think we can acknowledge that we’ve long since realized one of the words is offensive for referring to a racial stereotype. The idea exists but is unproven that the original poem was a parody of a plantation song. Either way, given the context, it’s quite clear the show wasn’t advocating any racial themes or ideas-heck, you can’t even HEAR half the song because of the audience. Either way, it’s used simply as a bouncy melody that simultaneously fit both Vance’s lovely voice and the other three’s visual gags.
William Frawley with the tree bit will never fail to make me laugh so hard that my sides start hurting! 😂
That was the funniest part of the show.
That was an old vaudeville bit. Most likely done for this show because Fred and Ethel were in vaudeville when they first married. But its STILL funny as hell. The one time Frawley breaks the 4th wall and looks directly at the audience with the tree had me in stiches. The expression on his face was hysterical!
100 per cent hahahaha
I saw a co worker carrying a small plant this past week and it immediately reminded me of this bit. It's even funnier now than it was then...
I would love a tee shirt with Fred on it carrying a plant. 😄
I liked how she turned around and continued to sing! One of my faves!
Continued yes! But sang off-key! 😅😅😅
Fred carrying those trees and they keep getting bigger and bigger I couldn't stop laughing 🤣
Me too. That's my most favorite part in this episode of I Love Lucy. 🤣
Same!
Exactly 💯 😅😅😅😅😅😅
God I can’t get over Ricky’s shocked expression when he realizes it’s his own sock 🤣😂😹
It was his boxers
I loved Vivian Vance so much❤
😝EHTEL MAE POTTER WE NEVER FORGOT HER😝
Fred with the trees is the funniest part 🤣🤣
VIVIAN VANCE EFFING BELTING QUEEN
No she wasn't. Shame on you posting that about a fine woman that has passed on. You bring her reputation into the gutter.
@@Joanla1954 It's a compliment Joanla. Means she's an excellent singer.
Fred and those trees. Gets me every time
I'm glad Ethel finally got her moment, even if it was out of a misunderstanding
What do you mean? She and Fred were in vaudeville when they were first married. Their act was Mertz and Mertz. Prior to their marriage Fred's partner was Barney Kurtz and they were 'laugh till it hurts with Mertz and Kurtz.'
Yeah Ethel was ALWAYS supporting Lucg in all her cray-cray antics.. I felt her friends were a lit hard on her and Ricky really jealous. Let the lady have one moment of fame🙄
@@dorianmac7466 I agree!
I agree!
When Fred walks past Ethel and gives her that priceless look as she hits the good notes, I started laughing until tears came out LMAO!!
My favorite scene out of all of the I Love Lucy episodes. Never fails to make me laugh so hard that my sides hurt. Fred and the tree. Priceless! 😂😂😂
I LOVE the way Ethel starts to sing first way off key and then horribly after she discovers Lucy, Ricky and Fred behind her. Vivian Vance was actually a very good singer with a beautiful voice so you can tell she had to do some serious acting there to throw her voice and pitch so far off!
I thought she did very good lol
I’m a singer. It takes real skill to purposely make oneself sound bad.
@@ascent8487I must have so much skill, because it comes so easily to me.
@@purefites😂😅
I'm so impressed that she hit that note at the end lol, her singing is just beautiful. But nothing beats Lily of the Valley haha
Fred's tree keeps getting taller and taller! Always made me laugh! 😂😂
This never fails to make me burst out laughing. The four of them couldn't have been more perfectly cast.
"My Hero", which Ethel does as her second number, was for many years the go-to song for young girls at theatrical auditions or community musical recitals (much the way that "The Impossible Dream" or ⁹Piano Man" are today at karaoke bars).
Piano Man, Impossible Dream?
This is not 1979!! Please join us in the 21st Century!
@@pwatson5766 Haha
Now it's the dreadful "Tomorrow"
@@pwatson5766EXACTLY 💯 😅
The man eating tiger bit was genius
I love this whole scene and agree with many here that Fred and the growing plant was the best part. But also loved when Ethel asked if they want her to sing another sad song and the other three appeared behind her. Then when the audience applauded, the way Ethel went, "Ohhh!" thinking it was for her!
Not another SAD song, another song. Somehow the word sad came up without my seeing it, sorry.
The routine with Fred carrying an ever-growing tree back and forth is an old vaudeville gag, probably originated with Ole Olsen and Chic Johnson, suggesting that the act is too long, well-worn, and/or boring.
Fred and the trees kill me 😅🤣
Although my most fave Ethel is "Lily of the valley"
I love Lucy .. but I adore Vivian Vance
It was nice to see an episode where Vivian Vance was centered.
Ethel Mae Potter, we never forgot her!
@@netram28 🤣👍
This is one of the funniest episodes ever.
@@netram28...nor Ethel Roberta!
Too bad she was upstaged.
One of the greatest scenes in TV history ❤
🤣🤣🤣🤣 The tree!
This was one of the funniest bits of the series.
I like the man eating tiger bit and how Desi walks out eating the tiger prop and showing it to everyone and he seems to enjoy it so it must have been a tasty tiger.
I always thought it was made of candy or something.
One of my favorite episodes...hilarious
My favorite part of this clip is Marco Rizo's piano accompaniment to "Shortenin' Bread." Brilliant playing!
Ethel looked pretty here
Vivian Vance was a very beautiful woman back then. But it was in her contract with Desilu that while playing Ethel, she had to remain 20 pounds overweight and wear frumpy dresses in order to appear much older than Lucy when in real life they were only about 2 years apart in age.
This shows Vivian's Talent she could really sing
love how you hear vivian break character a few times laughing , i mean how could you not?
I think what is going on is that she is remaining in character when she laughs. She is choosing to believe that the audience is laughing about the song, not realizing they are laughing at the Vaudeville act behind her.
Damn, Lucy got some STRONG teeth.
Still love this scene. I noticed this time there are a couple moments where Vivian Vance almost laughs because she can clearly IRL see the others behind her moving about.
It was good to see Vivian featured in a number where she gets to show her singing talensts. Also, I have seen that plant routine several times thru the years in different comedy
numbers although I don't know who started it. It is always funny.
She had a terrific voice.
Eddie, the plant eventually evolving into a full grown tree was to signify Ethel hogging the stage long enough for the tree to grow and was first used in the Broadway show HELLZAPOPPIN
You got to admit, the act they put on behind Ethel is great😆
You can tell Viv's Ethel becoming suspicious towards the end.😂😂😅😅😊😊😊😊
Man Eating Tiger 😂
It WAS dude....it WAS! LOL
Due to mortality, I'm next in line to become the President of the Viv Vance Fan Club.
Vivian Vance really does have a lovely voice though.
This was too funny, especially with Ricky, Lucy and Fred supplying the background.
The physical comedy is just sublime.
Viv was such a lovely lady...both on screen and off.😊😊😊😊
Vivian Vance hits a high E-flat at the end!
BEST EPISODE!!!
When I was a kid, I was a bit irked with the ending. But as I got older, I realized Ethel deserved her moment. This was her homecoming and it's probably the only episode where Ethel comes out on top at the end. I love the gags Lucy, Ricky, and Fred do in the background but Ethel dominates.
Context: After the show, a reporter who is childhood friends with Ethel comes up to take a photo of everyone. He loves the performance. So he gathers them for a photo. Ethel is a bit annoyed and the others are smiling with accomplishment. Then the reporter, as he's about to take the photo, "A great headline for the show: Ethel Potter and Friends"! Ethel suddenly smiles likes a movie star while the others kind of groan visually. (Potter is Ethel's maiden name)
Comedy gold
Omg! Haven't seen this episode in ages! One of my favs! What is it about this show that transcends culture, age, language, color?
I feel it is because it is in a time period where things were so much more calming...the same for The Honeymooners' and The Andy Griffith Show.
@@eloiseockert9233
I agree with you about the Andy Griffith show, but I can live the rest of my life without seeing the Honeymooners. For some reason that show disgust me.
Good comedy is always timeless.
My very favorite skit😂
Too good to be true. Almost surreal in its perfection and hilarity.
Ethel May Potter,
We never forgot her!
This was so funny.
IMO, this is one of the funniest episodes ever! 😂
I love this episode!
Lucy’s outfit looks like the SAME outfit she used when she did the “circus pony number” in the London episode.
love it
Bill probably got Vaudeville vibes from his act with Desi and Lucy.😊😊
Greeley had gotten his start in vaudeville fifty odd years before this. He was 68 in 1951 when they started.
The first time i saw the trees it killed
What a riot!
Ethel mae potter we never forgot her
The best
@patbegay lol😂
I’ve always wanted to perform this skit
I thought I saw every single version of The Lucy Show but I don't remember this one
I Love Lucy and The Lucy Show are two different shows.
Interesting I guess I missed it. Perhaps I wasn't born yet when The Lucy Show was being aired LOL
I love "The Chocolate Soldier", wonderful operetta. Otherwise a very silly episode.
This show certainly had it's momenys
Loo
We all going to ignore this is a racist slave song?
I think we can acknowledge that we’ve long since realized one of the words is offensive for referring to a racial stereotype. The idea exists but is unproven that the original poem was a parody of a plantation song. Either way, given the context, it’s quite clear the show wasn’t advocating any racial themes or ideas-heck, you can’t even HEAR half the song because of the audience. Either way, it’s used simply as a bouncy melody that simultaneously fit both Vance’s lovely voice and the other three’s visual gags.
Yes, at least I am.