The 25 Greatest I Love Lucy Episodes, Ranked
I Love Lucy helped elevate television to a whole new level. It was one of the first shows to capture hearts and set the standard for classic sitcoms. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz weren’t just stars — they revolutionized the TV landscape, from changing how sitcoms were filmed to introducing the concept of reruns. Though the show, centered on a Cuban bandleader and his hilariously unpredictable wife, only ran for six seasons, that was still an impressive 160 episodes in the early days of TV. Since we love ranking the best episodes of iconic shows, we’ve included I Love Lucy. Let’s take a trip back to the ’50s and dive into the rankings!
25. “Lucy Becomes a Sculptress”
CBS
Lucy is always chasing her artistic dreams, and this time, it’s not Hollywood or acting — she’s determined to become a sculptor. When her attempts at being a “sculptress” don’t go as planned, she gets creative and decides to turn herself into a bust. Of course, this means piling clay on her head, but hey, anything to get, ahem, ahead in the art world.
24. “Deep Sea Fishing”
CBS
Much like today’s sitcoms, I Love Lucy often revolves around the playful bickering and rivalry between couples. In this case, it’s Ricky and Fred versus Lucy and Ethel. In the episode “Deep Sea Diving,” the two couples find themselves in Miami Beach, each trying to catch the biggest fish. Of course, both sides resort to a bit of cheating — and naturally, both end up facing the consequences.
23. “The Handcuffs”
CBS
Keep in mind, this show was filmed in the 1950s. Many of the tropes we now take for granted were either popularized or even invented by I Love Lucy. So, when we say the premise of this episode revolves around Ricky and Lucy getting handcuffed together with no key in sight, remember the time period. Don’t hold the fact that we’ve seen this scenario a thousand times since then against them — they were breaking new ground here!
22. “The Star Upstairs”
CBS
Lucy’s love for showbiz and her obsession with meeting celebrities knows no bounds. So when actor Cornel Wilde moves into the apartment upstairs from the Ricardos, she’ll stop at nothing to meet him. This leads to one of her classic schemes — posing as a bellhop to get close to the star.
21. “Sales Resistance”
CBS
Lucy is full of energy and optimism, but she can be a little naïve — exactly the type of person who could fall for a smooth-talking snake oil salesman. And when she does, it leads to all sorts of trouble for Ricky and financial stress for the couple.
20. “Men Are Messy”
CBS
This episode features one of the most iconic plots: Lucy and Ricky divide their apartment down the middle, each confined to their own half — no crossing over to the other side. It’s a classic setup that earns its spot in the top 20. However, as fun as the premise is, the execution doesn’t quite live up to the memory you might have of it.
19. “Lucy Raises Chickens”
CBS
Lucille Ball was a master of physical comedy, and it was a huge part of her appeal. At one point, the Ricardos leave New York behind and head to the countryside in Westport, Connecticut. The Ricardos and the Mertzes dive into chicken farming, but things quickly spiral out of control when Lucy and Ethel end up with hundreds of baby chicks — and nowhere to put them except inside the house.
18. “Pioneer Women”
While the technology of the ’50s may seem charmingly outdated now, it was actually cutting-edge for its time. So, when Ricky and Fred bet their wives that they couldn’t go without modern conveniences, it still carried some weight. The episode delivers a few great sight gags, including a memorable loaf of bread that looks like it belongs in a monster movie.
17. “Ricky Thinks He’s Getting Bald”
CBS
Lucy is usually the one causing all the chaos and acting like the oddball, so it’s fun when Ricky gets pulled into the antics as well. This episode starts with a situation we can all relate to: an innocent joke from Lucy makes Ricky worry he’s losing his hair. That fear sends him on a wild journey of ridiculous hair-growing schemes.
16. “The Diner”
CBS
Why did the Ricardos and Mertzes decide to open a diner? Because, well, it makes for a great sitcom plot. The show gives it some context by having Ricky burn out on showbiz. But in the end, it’s all about the couples’ usual bickering, wrapping up with a classic giant pie fight.
15. “Lucy Wants New Furniture”
CBS
The title says it all — Lucy wants new furniture. The problem? The couple can’t afford it, but Lucy buys it anyway. Of course, she has to hide it from Ricky. When that plan falls apart, she tries to make do by doing things like sewing her own clothes and giving herself a perm. Spoiler alert: she’s not exactly skilled in those areas.
14. “The Quiz Show”
CBS
You know that guy from The Simpsons who says, “Yeeeeeessss?” He’s actually a parody of Frank Nelson. Nelson is best known for his recurring roles on Lucille Ball’s shows, with his first appearance alongside her in I Love Lucy‘s fifth episode. In this one, he plays the host of a game show Lucy enters, hoping to win some much-needed cash.
13. “Lucy Tells the Truth”
CBS
It’s like Liar, Liar, but without the magic or the sappy moments. Lucy accepts a bet to go 24 hours without telling a lie — which is definitely not her style, especially when she has a big audition coming up. Watching her struggle to avoid losing the bet is pure comedy, and then there’s the classic sight gag of Lucy getting caught up in a knife-throwing act.
12. “Ricky Has Labor Pains”
CBS
This episode has plenty of layers and twists. Lucy is pregnant on the show (which we’ll get to in a bit), and she’s having a baby shower. Ricky, feeling neglected and jealous of all the attention on Lucy, starts to think he’s being forgotten. The first twist is that Lucy plans a “daddy shower” for him. But then, Fred turns it into a full-on stag party. The plot thickens when Lucy decides to go undercover at the stag party to make sure things stay above board. And of course, it only gets twistier from there.
11. “In Palm Springs”
CBS
In this episode, Lucy and Ethel get a much-needed break from Ricky and Fred, heading to Palm Springs for the weekend. (Just to clarify, the couples are in Los Angeles at the time, so they’re not making a cross-country trek from New York.) While they’re there, the duo crosses paths with none other than Rock Hudson — one of the many celebrity encounters Lucy has throughout the show’s run.
10. “Lucy and Superman”
CBS
Lucy promises to get none other than Superman himself, George Reeves, to appear at Little Ricky’s birthday. But when that doesn’t pan out, she does the next best thing: she dresses up as Superman. Of course, Lucy’s no man (or woman) of steel, and she’s far from a superhero. So, when she ends up locked out on a ledge, she can’t exactly fly her way to safety.
9. “Lucy and John Wayne”
CBS
John Wayne might not be as beloved today, but back in the ‘50s, he was a major movie star. Seeing him appear in a sitcom that pokes fun at his tough-guy persona was a big deal back then — and it’s still entertaining today. Lucy’s ability to play off celebrities always made for some great comedy, and this episode is no exception.
8. “Lucy and Harpo Marx”
CBS
Sure, when Lucy and Harpo do their mirror routine, it’s straight out of the Marx Brothers’ Duck Soup. It’s not exactly original. But at the same time, it’s still a fantastic bit, and watching Lucille Ball pull it off remains just as entertaining today.
7. “The Great Train Robbery”
CBS
The premise of Lucy being on a train with a jewel thief is pretty over-the-top. But in sitcoms, broad comedy can work wonders, and this episode is no exception. They have a blast with the scenario, and the plot keeps moving along smoothly. Plus, there’s some top-notch slapstick from Lucille Ball that makes it even more fun.
6. “Lucy is Enceinte”
CBS
It’s worth noting that, despite what some may claim, Lucy Ricardo wasn’t the first pregnant character on television. That said, it was still a rarity and considered a bit controversial at the time. The real kicker? Lucille Ball was actually pregnant with her and Ricky’s second child during filming, so they had to work it into the storyline. They couldn’t use the word “pregnant,” but they still made TV history in the process.
5. “L.A. at Last”
CBS
Out of all the L.A. episodes, this one stands as the best. Though it’s sometimes listed as “Hollywood at Last,” what really matters is that Lucy finally makes it to Los Angeles, where she immediately dives into chasing celebrities and hunting for her big break. She crosses paths with Eve Arden, another beloved ‘50s sitcom star, but the highlight of the episode is the guest appearance of William Holden.
4. “The Freezer”
CBS
Lucy and Ethel decide to buy a walk-in freezer, and while it’s clear from the start that the whole setup is leading to Lucy getting locked inside, the payoff still hits perfectly. The sight gag of a frozen Lucy might not be all that realistic, but it’s still hilarious no matter how you look at it.
3. “Job Switching”
CBS
This is one of those classic sitcom premises that I Love Lucy made iconic. Lucy, Ricky, Ethel, and Fred decide to swap roles — the men take on housework, and the women go out to get jobs. Naturally, everyone struggles in their new roles. The highlight of the episode comes when Lucy and Ethel end up working at the chocolate factory. It’s easily one of the top 10 most famous sight gags in sitcom history.
2. “Lucy’s Italian Movie”
CBS
The Ricardos sure did travel a lot, and this time, they head to Italy, bringing out some of the best moments of the show. Lucy lands an acting role, and to prepare, she decides to visit a winery to soak up some “local color.” Of course, it doesn’t go as planned — she ends up smashing grapes and getting into a hilarious rivalry with the other woman doing the same. It’s pure, brilliant physical comedy.
1. “Lucy Does a TV Commercial”
CBS
To this day, Lucy Does a TV Commercial is considered one of the best sitcom episodes ever. Even if you think this show is too old to still be funny, do yourself a favor and watch this episode. Lucy lands a TV ad, and while filming, she accidentally gets drunk on the product she’s supposed to be selling. Playing drunk and still being funny is no easy feat, but Lucille Ball absolutely nails it.