Full disclosure: I still watch the universally beloved I Love Lucy every day. No matter how many times I see each episode (I lost count years ago), I always laugh out loud at the comedic antics of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz as Lucy and Ricky Ricardo, and the ultimate “second bananas”: Vivian Vance and William Frawley as Ethel and Fred Mertz. With 180 episodes to choose from (“Lucy Does a TV Commercial,” “Ricky Asks For a Raise,” “Job Switching,” “L.A. at Last,” “Lucy’s Italian Movie,” “Country Club Dance,” and so many more classics), the pickings are bountiful. In the often tumultuous world we live in, there is no better way to forget about your troubles.
Second full disclosure: I have been wanting to visit Jamestown, New York, Lucy’s hometown, for over 20 years now. It finally happened just in time for The Lucille Ball Comedy Festival (which recently made its glorious return live after a two-year COVID-induced absence).
The image of Lucille Ball was at every corner in Jamestown, New York at The Lucille Ball Comedy … [+]MARC BERMAN
Full disclosure: I still watch the universally beloved I Love Lucy every day. No matter how many times I see each episode (I lost count years ago), I always laugh out loud at the comedic antics of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz as Lucy and Ricky Ricardo, and the ultimate “second bananas”: Vivian Vance and William Frawley as Ethel and Fred Mertz. With 180 episodes to choose from (“Lucy Does a TV Commercial,” “Ricky Asks For a Raise,” “Job Switching,” “L.A. at Last,” “Lucy’s Italian Movie,” “Country Club Dance,” and so many more classics), the pickings are bountiful. In the often tumultuous world we live in, there is no better way to forget about your troubles.
Second full disclosure: I have been wanting to visit Jamestown, New York, Lucy’s hometown, for over 20 years now. It finally happened just in time for The Lucille Ball Comedy Festival (which recently made its glorious return live after a two-year COVID-induced absence).
During our 430 mile road trip (each way) to Jamestown, we never did run into Aunt Martha for some tasty pecan pralines. We did not stop at a rickety motel for some stale cheese sandwiches and a room that shook when the train went by. We did not see the Borden twins, “Teensy” and “Weensy,” or Tennessee Ernie Ford. Nor did we end up behind bars, or visit Ethel’s father (who, if you do the math, was about the same age as her hubby Fred!). But we did make our first official stop in Lancaster, Pennsylvania for a glimpse of life in Pennsylvania Dutch Country. In the simplicity of the lifestyle of the Amish community, it reminded me of another classic episode of I Love Lucy, “Pioneer Women”, when Ricky and Fred bet Lucy and Ethel that they cannot live the same pioneer existence as their ancestors.
Once we got to Hershey, Pennsylvania (after stopping off at the Wilbur Chocolate Company in Lititz, Pennsylvania), I certainly don’t have to tell you what episode of I Love Lucy came to mind as we enjoyed our stay at Hershey Lodge and our day at Hershey Park (including a tour of the Hershey Chocolate Factory). Two words: Speed it up!
