I Love Lucy: 50th Anniversary Special

It doesn't take much Lucille Ball to produce laughter, as this special once again confirms. Even a brief montage of Lucy's trademark crying conjures up its own set of hilarious memories. This 50th anniversary special pays tribute to many of the things that made I Love Lucy great: the genuine affection between Lucy and Desi, neighbors Fred and Ethel, and some of the most amazing comic timing ever seen on television. Hosted by Whoopi Goldberg, the special counts down the ten best episodes (the top three include "Stomping the Grapes," "Job Switching" (with a chocolate factory conveyor belt scene paying homage to Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times), and--of course--"Lucy Does a TV Commercial" for Vitameatavegamin). Guests Andy Garcia and Arturo Sandoval dissect Desi's contribution as a Latino icon, while Dick Van Dyke, Roseanne, and Leah Rimini chart I Love Lucy's influence on subsequent TV programming. Although the show's stars have all gone on to that eternal syndication network in the sky, a surprising number of the original writers and technical staff are still on hand to provide behind-the-scenes insights into this innovative sitcom. Recommended. Aud: P. (D. Fienberg)