Ep 26. The Ricardos Dedicate a Statue

As Lucy and Ricky Ricardo gear up to dedicate a statue in Central Park, chaos ensues. The episode begins with Lucy receiving a phone call from Mayor LaGuardia informing her, as president of the Wednesday Morning Fine Arts League, that her group has finally gotten its beloved composer Johann Strauss approved for a statue in Central Park. Lucy is ecstatic at the news, but her happiness soon fades when she discovers that the mayor also wants her to chair the event.

Lucy quickly realizes that managing the dedication is no easy task, especially since Ricky, who was slated to perform at the ceremony, is scheduled to leave for a three-week tour with his band. The Ricardos eventually decide that they will dedicate the statue a few days before Ricky's departure. With only a few days to plan, Lucy dives into the task with fervor. She decides to have a parade, inviting various marching bands to participate, and even landing an appearance from actress Joan Crawford.

But as the dedication draws nearer, Lucy becomes more and more frazzled. Her guest list keeps growing, and her original vision of an intimate event is quickly overshadowed by the chaos of her own making. Ethel eventually steps in to help, but things only get worse as she and Lucy plan a grand entrance in a horse-drawn carriage. Of course, Lucy is not able to sit still, and as they make their entrance, she accidentally ends up on the back of a runaway horse.

The humorous hijinks continue as the Ricardos finally arrive at the Central Park statue site, only to discover a group of protesting artists. The artists, who are unhappy with Strauss' placement in the park, block the entryway, causing Lucy and Ricky to have to sneak in through a hole in the fence. As the event carries on, one misstep after another leads to hilarity, including a mix-up of hats, a misplaced instrument, and a mishap with Joan Crawford's speech.

Through all the chaos, Lucy remains determined to make the dedication a success. She even enlists the help of her friends and family members, including her son, Little Ricky, who leads a group of children in a chorus of "The Blue Danube." In the end, despite the numerous mishaps, the Ricardos' dedication is a success, and the statue of Johann Strauss is unveiled.

As usual, I Love Lucy season 6 episode 26 keeps the laughs coming with its signature blend of physical comedy and witty banter. But beneath all the humor, the episode also touches on themes of determination and perseverance in the face of obstacles- a testament to the show's enduring popularity and relevance even over 60 years after its initial airing. Fans of the series will not be disappointed by this delightful and lighthearted episode.