The final filmed episode of the classic sitcom I Love Lucy aired on May 6, 1957. However, what many people consider the last I Love Lucy episode is actually a little more nuanced than that. While “Lucy and the Loving Cup” was the final episode filmed for the sixth season, it wasn’t the true end of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo’s on-screen adventures. This article will delve into the intricacies of I Love Lucy’s conclusion, exploring the different types of episodes and specials that followed, and clarifying which one truly holds the title of the last I Love Lucy episode.
Understanding the Different Formats of I Love Lucy
To accurately answer the question, “what was the last I Love Lucy episode?”, we need to differentiate between the various formats the show took over the years. The original half-hour sitcom format ran for six seasons. After this, I Love Lucy transitioned into hour-long specials, initially titled The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Comedy Hour. These specials featured the beloved I Love Lucy characters but in a different format.
“Lucy and the Loving Cup”: The Final Half-Hour Episode
“Lucy and the Loving Cup” saw Lucy and Ethel tasked with delivering a valuable loving cup to the President. Naturally, chaos ensues. This episode marked the end of the traditional I Love Lucy half-hour sitcom format. It was a fittingly comedic send-off, though not the definitive end of the Ricardos’ story.
Lucy and Ethel with the Loving Cup – Final Half Hour Episode
The Hour-Long Specials: A Continuation of the Story
Following the sixth season, I Love Lucy continued in the form of thirteen hour-long specials aired between 1957 and 1960. These specials, while not technically I Love Lucy episodes, featured the same core cast and familiar comedic dynamics. They were initially broadcast as The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Comedy Hour and later repackaged and re-run simply as I Love Lucy.
“Lucy Meets the Mustache”: The Final Special and the True Last Episode
The final hour-long special, and therefore what many consider the true last I Love Lucy episode, was titled “Lucy Meets the Mustache,” also known as “Lucy and the Little League.” Airing on April 1, 1960, this special saw Lucy and Ricky’s son, Little Ricky, playing baseball while Lucy tries to impress guest star Ernie Kovacs. This special marks the last time we see the Ricardos and Mertzes together in a new, televised adventure.
Lucy Meets Ernie Kovacs – Final I Love Lucy Special
Why the Confusion?
The confusion surrounding the last I Love Lucy episode stems from the change in format and the subsequent repackaging of the hour-long specials. Many viewers remember these specials as simply I Love Lucy episodes, leading to uncertainty about which one truly marked the end.
What Was the Last I Love Lucy Episode Aired? “Lucy and the Loving Cup” vs. “Lucy Meets the Mustache”
So, to definitively answer the question: “Lucy Meets the Mustache,” aka “Lucy and the Little League,” which aired April 1, 1960, is the true last I Love Lucy episode, even though it was technically a special. “Lucy and the Loving Cup,” which aired on May 6, 1957, was the last episode of the traditional half-hour sitcom format.
I Love Lucy Cast in the Final Special
Conclusion
While “Lucy and the Loving Cup” concluded the traditional half-hour sitcom format, “Lucy Meets the Mustache” served as the final on-screen adventure for the beloved I Love Lucy characters. Understanding the transition to hour-long specials clarifies what was the last I Love Lucy episode we truly saw.
FAQ
- How many seasons of the original I Love Lucy half-hour sitcom were there? Six.
- How many hour-long I Love Lucy specials were produced? Thirteen.
- When did the final half-hour episode of I Love Lucy air? May 6, 1957.
- When did the final hour-long I Love Lucy special air? April 1, 1960.
- Who were the main stars of I Love Lucy? Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, and William Frawley.
- What were the hour-long specials originally called? The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Comedy Hour.
- What was the name of the final I Love Lucy special? “Lucy Meets the Mustache” also known as “Lucy and the Little League.”
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