Ep 18. Lucy Hires An English Tutor

Lucy Hires An English Tutor is the 18th episode of the second season of the classic television show I Love Lucy. In this episode, Lucy Ricardo, portrayed by the legendary Lucille Ball, decides to hire an English tutor in order to improve her grammar and vocabulary.

The episode begins with Lucy and her best friend Ethel Mertz, played by Vivian Vance, discussing Lucy's lack of knowledge of the English language. Lucy feels embarrassed when she makes mistakes while speaking and believes that this is hindering her career. Ethel suggests that Lucy hire a tutor to help her improve her grammar and vocabulary.

Lucy is hesitant at first but soon agrees to hire a tutor named Professor Benedict, played by Hans Conried. Professor Benedict is an eccentric and strict teacher who demands perfection from his students. Lucy is intimidated by him but is determined to learn as much as possible from him.

The lessons with Professor Benedict do not go as smoothly as Lucy had hoped. She finds his teaching methods to be strict and old-fashioned, and she struggles to keep up with his rigorous curriculum. Lucy's frustration with her tutor soon reaches a boiling point, and she decides to fire him.

Feeling discouraged, Lucy contemplates giving up on her English lessons entirely. However, her determination to improve her language skills wins out, and she decides to try a different approach. She enlists the help of her husband Ricky, played by Desi Arnaz, to teach her English in a way that is fun and engaging.

Throughout the episode, Lucy's attempts to learn English lead to a series of comical misunderstandings and mishaps. Her struggles with the language provide plenty of opportunities for physical comedy and witty one-liners.

Despite the challenges, Lucy's efforts to improve her English pay off. In the end, she learns enough to impress her friends and make a more positive impression on those around her.

Overall, Lucy Hires An English Tutor is a charming and lighthearted episode of I Love Lucy that showcases the comedic talents of Lucille Ball and her co-stars. It serves as a reminder of the universal struggle to learn a new language, and the importance of persistence and dedication in achieving one's goals.