Ep 16. Lucy Tells the Truth

Lucy Tells The Truth is the 16th episode of the second season of the classic TV sitcom, The Best of I Love Lucy. This episode features the hilarious antics of Lucy Ricardo, played by the legendary Lucille Ball, as she tries to keep a small fib from escalating into a full-blown misunderstanding.

The episode starts with Lucy receiving a brand new vacuum cleaner from a door-to-door salesman. She tells her husband, Ricky, played by the multi-talented Desi Arnaz, that it only cost $5 but in truth, it cost her $35. Of course, Lucy, who is never one to keep secrets or tell white lies, becomes increasingly anxious and stressed as the days go by and she cannot seem to find a way to tell Ricky the true cost of the vacuum cleaner.

As Lucy tries to avoid the topic, comedic chaos ensues. She enlists her best friends and neighbors, Fred and Ethel Mertz, played by William Frawley and Vivian Vance, to help her out of the predicament. Ethel tries to coach Lucy on how to break the bad news to Ricky, but her advice only makes things worse. Meanwhile, Fred is busy giving Ricky some suspiciously timed advice to be more understanding of Lucy’s little white lie.

In a hilarious turn of events, Lucy is forced to tell the truth when Ricky invites the door-to-door salesman back to their house. Lucy’s lies unravel into a hilarious confession, testing her marriage and driving the episode’s plot to its climax.

Lucy’s newly wedded life, comical schemes and Ricky’s musical performances remain the signature jokes in the show that often focus on the trials and tribulations of the unconventional couple’s everyday lives.

The episode is a classic example of the sharp-witted, physical comedy that Lucille Ball was famous for, and it showcases her incredible talents as a comedic actress. Her humorous facial expressions, exaggerated body language and delivery of intricate joke-telling are all on full display in this episode, and fans will find themselves laughing out loud at her antics.

Overall, Lucy Tells The Truth is a timeless and classic episode that remains as fresh and entertaining as it was when it originally aired in 1952. The episode is a testament to the enduring appeal of Lucille Ball’s comedic genius, and it continues to delight audiences all over the world with its hilarious storyline, creative slapstick humor, and unforgettable characters.