I LOVE LUCY

When Ricky's attempts to secure a raise from his boss, Mr. Littlefield, fail, Lucy decides to fight back. Noticing a newspaper ad announcing the opening of Xavier Valdez, "King of the Konga" at the Tropicana, Ethel conjectures: "Wouldn't it be wonderful if no one shows up for Xavier's opening?"

This prompts Luxy to make seventy-five bogus reservations in various names, Mrs. Worthington Proudfoot, Scarlett Culpepper, Lucille McGillicuddy, and with the help of the Mertzes' old vaudeville friend, quick change artist Hal King, Lucy, Fred, and Ethel set off to invade the Tropicana and prove Ricky's popularity once and for all.

In costume, the three parade into the club and then, upon hearing that "Ricky Ricardo isn't appearing here anymore," leave abruptly. They pull this trick a few times (including once scene featuring William Frawley in drag), until it is clear to Mr. Littlefield that he cannot afford to be without Ricky Ricardo. This speculation goes directly to Ricky's head: "I guess I didn't realize how popular I was…I can write my own ticket anywhere in town."

Special Notes: Ricky's replacement at the Tropicana, Xavier, is a reference to Xavier Cugat for whom Desi Arnaz worked at one time. Hal King was the "I Love Lucy" makeup artist.

Bloopers: Two errors emerge from the phony reservations. Lucy reserves a table for eight people as Mrs. Worthington Proudfoot, but when she arrives at the Tropicana in that role the maitre d' seats her at a table for four. Second, the last two reservations the maitre d' makes on the phone before saying the club is booked are to a Mrs. Bennett and Mrs. Thompson; but Lucy tells Ethel that Harry and Bess Truman got the last reservation.