I Love Lucy - Season 3, Episode 28 - Tennessee Ernie Visits -- First aired May 3, 1954

A few of my many favorite I Love Lucy episodes are the ones that include guest star Tennessee Ernie Ford.  In this first episode the Ricardo's receive a special delivery letter from Lucy's mother notifying them that they are to play host to Lucy's mother's friend's roommate's cousin's middle boy, Ernie from Bent Fork, Tennessee.

Aside from the usual Lucy (Lucille Ball) and Ricky(Desi Arnaz), and Fred (William Frawley)and Ethel (Vivian Vance) shenanigans the laughs increase exponentially as Ernie tells the Ricardo's the story of his first few hours in New York City.  The highlights include Ernie's first subway ride out to, and walk back from Long Island (and he'll "be ding-donged if it ain't"), and his first night sleeping in a rollaway bed ("I don't wanna lay down on anythin' that's gonna be a galavantin' around the room all night").

After reading a letter that Ernie is writing to his mother back home Lucy gets an idea to try to get rid of Ernie, and Ricky's so desperate he goes along with it.  Lucy dresses up like a "wicked city woman" to try to scare him but things don't turn out exactly planned.

Lucy is as stunning as ever, and Desi is suave and debonaire.  The chemistry between all the players never fails to amaze me.  It's no wonder the show has survived all these decades and I'm pretty positive will be around for many more years to come.  I wonder in 50 or 60 years what kind of shows people will be watching?  Besides I Love Lucy of course ...