Ep 17. Lucy's Showbiz Swan Song

Lucy's Showbiz Swan Song” is the seventeenth episode of the second season of the beloved sitcom, “I Love Lucy”. The episode first aired on February 16, 1953, and was written by Bob Carroll Jr. and Madelyn Davis. The episode was directed by William Asher and stars the iconic comedian Lucille Ball as Lucy Ricardo, Desi Arnaz as Ricky Ricardo, Vivian Vance as Ethel Mertz, and William Frawley as Fred Mertz.

The episode revolves around Lucy's desire to make it big in show business as she tries to land a role in a Broadway musical. Lucy sees a billboard advertising auditions for a new show called "Dancing in the Dark," and she is convinced that she is destined for the lead role. In typical Lucy fashion, she convinces Ethel to come along to the audition, even though she has no experience in show business.

When they arrive at the theater, they are in for a surprise: the choreographer of the show, a demanding perfectionist named Mr. Merriweather, is played by Lucy's nemesis from earlier in the season, actor Hamilton Camp. Mr. Merriweather tells Lucy and Ethel that there are only two roles available in the show, and he makes it clear that he doesn't think they have what it takes to fill them.

Undeterred, Lucy and Ethel decide to crash a casting party that evening, knowing that the producer of the show, Mr. Pomerantz, will be there. They show up disguised as fortune tellers, hoping to impress Mr. Pomerantz with their psychic abilities. However, their plan backfires when they accidentally mix up their fake crystal ball with Mr. Pomerantz's real one, and it ends up shattering on the floor.

Despite their mishaps, Lucy and Ethel end up landing two roles in the chorus of the show. They are overjoyed at the opportunity to perform on Broadway, but their happiness is short-lived when they discover that they are only being paid $5 a week. They decide to confront Mr. Pomerantz and demand a raise, but he refuses to budge.

Lucy comes up with a plan to get out of the show, telling Mr. Merriweather that her doctor has diagnosed her with a rare and fatal disease called 'Tropical Pneumonia'. Mr. Merriweather tells her that she can't perform in the show if she's sick, so Lucy decides to milk the diagnosis for all it's worth. She holds a 'last performance' party for herself, complete with a farewell speech and a song-and-dance number.

When Ricky discovers the truth about Lucy's fake diagnosis, he is furious. He tells Lucy that tricking people like this is not funny, and that it could have serious consequences. Ethel agrees with Ricky, and the two of them convince Lucy to come clean about her fake illness. Lucy realizes that they are right, and she decides to make it up to Mr. Merriweather by inviting him to see her perform at the Tropicana.

The episode concludes with Lucy and Ethel performing a hilarious impersonation of Mr. Merriweather and his demanding choreography, leaving the audience in stitches and proving once again that Lucy's showbiz dreams are not dead yet.

Overall, "Lucy's Showbiz Swan Song" is an entertaining and classic episode of "I Love Lucy". It is full of humor, hijinks, and heart, and it showcases Lucille Ball's comedic genius and impeccable timing. The episode has become a fan favorite over the years, and it is easy to see why.