The Lucy Show (TV Series) Lucy Puts Up a TV Antenna (1962) User Reviews

A series top five episode

[kellielulu · 10/10 · 15 September 2022]

While installing the shower episode is more iconic and remembered the tv antenna episode is just as classic. It's also arguably just as physical.

Instead of spending forty dollars to have a pro do it Lucy decides she and Viv can do it for free. That's not how it goes of course and Viv estimates all the damages will cost about a hundred dollars! It's worth though for the viewers ! One of shows strongest and funniest episodes. It's also what it does best , Lucy and Viv in a situation that gets crazier and zanier the more they try!

Vivian Vance deserves just as much credit as Lucille Ball they really are a matched set .

A Series' Classic with Some Very Cute Moments

[kgraovac · 9/10 · 29 October 2023]

Lucy's TV set is on the fritz, so she does what we all did back in the day - give it a good smack to get it to behave. This doesn't work so she and Viv try to entertain the kids with an old-fashioned singalong. The problem is, it's TOO old-fashioned.

Sherman asks if they know "Ahab the Arab" and the kids do the twist while singing "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow". This scene evokes wonderful early Sixties nostalgia for those who remember it and is unique in that the series rarely mentions current events or pop culture. "Ahab" was a novelty hit for Ray Stevens earlier in 1962 and "Papa" was only a minor hit for the Rivingtons, which makes its' inclusion here all the more surprising. Most people will know it in its revamped form as "Surfin' Bird" by the Trashmen.

Jimmy Garrett has some of his funniest lines in this episode and the part when HE smacks the TV set in desperation is both cute and hilarious.

It turns out the set is fine but the TV antenna isn't, which sets up the big showpiece with Lucy and Viv on the roof, trying to install it properly. Viv's fear of heights contrasted with Lucy's bravado provides much of the comedy, and just when you think it's over, there's a fun bit involving a ladder that subtly pokes fun at Vivian's weight - something the series does quite often.

This, along with the shower episode, is probably the most famous and popular of any LUCY SHOW episodes. On recent viewing, I actually found the shower episode underwhelming, but this one's totally deserving of its' reputation. This episode and ones like it are what Garry Marshall was likely studying when he was creating LAVERNE & SHIRLEY.