Here's Lucy: The Complete Series

Lucille Ball's third sitcom mostly kept to the formula established in its beloved predecessor The Lucy Show, with Ball starring here as Lucille Carter, scatterbrained secretary to her business-owner brother-in-law, the endlessly flustered Harry (Gale Gordon), while a parade of A-list stars make guest appearances. The one major format change here was having Ball's children, Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr., appearing as her onscreen kids, Kim and Craig (Ball's character is a widow with no evidence of a regular love life). However, the younger performers had relatively little to do but play second banana to their mother (Desi Jr. left after the third season). For too many episodes, the slapstick seems contrived and the absurd plots have a been-there/done-that feel. Still, there are high points, including the only sitcom appearance of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor during their tumultuous married years, and occasional eruptions of pure energy—including Ball and her daughter joining Ginger Rogers in a wild Charleston dance, and Jackie Gleason making a surprise entrance as Ralph Kramden. And for sheer strangeness, nothing surpasses Ball going wild over female impersonator Jim Bailey as Phyllis Diller. Vivian Vance turns up occasionally for old time's sake, offering a rueful reminder that Ball once did much more inspired work. Compiling all 144 episodes from 1968–74 on a whopping 24 discs, extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes, interviews, episodes from the Let's Talk to Lucy radio chat show, and clips from Ball's home movies. Ball's fans will likely appreciate this, making it a strong optional purchase. (P. Hall)