The Indian Show

I Love Lucy - The Indian Show - Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz performing 'By the Waters of the Minnetonka'

The Indian ShowI Love Lucy season 2, episode 59, originally aired May 4, 1953

I Love Lucy - The Indian Show - Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz performing 'By the Waters of the Minnetonka'

Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz) thought that the birth of Little Ricky would have been the end of Lucy’s showbiz ambitions. Ricky thought wrong. Lucy (Lucille Ball) wants to be part of the “Indian Show” (“Indian” as in “Native American”, not as in “from India”), especially after Ricky hires Fred and Ethel. But Ricky is firm – especially now that Lucy has become a mother. Lucy, however, is not easily deterred, and bribes one of the performers (who is also a mother, and will miss seeing her child if she performs at the special time the show is scheduled) to let Lucy take her place.

First, however, some authentic Indians that Ricky has hired come by the apartment, while Lucy is reading “Bloodcurdling Indian Tales”, and Lucy attacks them both. Upon hearing that they’re actors, and hearing their Brooklyn accents, all is forgiven, with just enough time for Lucy to get into the act, performing By the Waters of the Minnetonka with Ricky.  A slightly angry version of the musical number, with Lucy trying to complete the act and Ricky trying to not lose his temper while trying to control Lucy. And where is Little Ricky during this, since Fred and Ethel are in the act at the club? Why, the little papoose is on momma Lucy’s back, of course. A very funny, sweet ending.

The Indian Show is available as part of the I Love Lucy season 2 DVD collection.

Funny quotes from The Indian Show – I Love Lucy

Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball): Give me one good reason!
Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz): I’ll give you one good reason. You’re a mother.
Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball): I have just as much talent now as before the baby was born.
Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz): That’s two good reasons.


Fred Mertz (William Frawley): I have a joke you can use.
Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz): Really?
Fred Mertz (William Frawley): Did you hear the one about the Indian who had to sleep in the hotel lobby because he didn’t have a reservation?
Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz): No … how does it go?
Fred Mertz (William Frawley): Never mind, you wouldn’t like it.


Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball): Me heap sorry me smak-em on coco.
Indian: Huh?
Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball): Oh, you speak English?
Indian: [with Brooklyn accent] Soitenly!


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