Tennessee Ernie Hangs On – I Love Lucy episode number 95, season 3, originally aired: May 10, 1954
Tennessee Ernie Ford continues his visit with the Ricardos, driving them to distraction in Tennessee Ernie Hangs On. I truly love the country bumpkin character that Tennessee Ernie Ford plays here, being both irritating and endearing at the same time. In a final attempt to get rid of their unwanted house guest who is eating them out of house and home, Lucy and Ricky pretend that they are broke, hoping that with nothing to mooch, Cousin Ernie will move back home.
However, Cousin Ernie is made of sterner stuff than that, and is not about to abandon his friends in need. Instead, he puts on a hoedown benefit, with “Ernie Ford and His Four Hot Chicken Pickers”. The four ‘pickers’ are, of course, Ricky, Lucy, Fred and Ethel. But when all is said and done, Cousin Ernie heads back home, as do the Ricardos and the Mertzes.
Tennessee Ernie Hangs On is a hilariously funny episode, and is highly recommended. It is available as part of the I Love Lucy season 3 DVD collection.
Funny quotes from Tennessee Ernie Hangs On – I Love Lucy
Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball): Did you have fun at the zoo?
Tennessee Ernie Ford: I sure did. I saw a friend of mine there.
Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball): What cage was he in?
Tennessee Ernie Ford: Cock your pistols ‘cause you ain’t gonna believe this nowhow!
Tennessee Ernie Ford: Mama always said I had a lot of get-up-and-go, so I’ll get up and go.
Tennessee Ernie Ford: I stayed with you while you was high on the hog, and I’m a-goin’ to stick by you while you’re down in the hocks.
Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball): If I wasn’t so sick and tired of him, I’d like him.
Tennessee Ernie Ford: As the whale said when when he saw Jonah standing on the bank, “I ain’t a-swallowin’ that!”