I Love Lucy Trivia Contest Archive

 

Past Questions and Answers:

December 2023

Q: Which members of the "I Love Lucy" gang have been honored with stars along the Hollywood Walk of Fame? 

A: All 4 members of the gang: Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, William Frawley, and Vivian Vance

Winner: Karen Carswell
 

November 2023 

Q: The “I Love Lucy Christmas Show” episode was filmed on which holiday?

A: It was filmed on Thanksgiving Day (November 22, 1956)

October 2023

Q: Where was Lucille Ball born?

A: Jamestown, NY

Winner: Rosie Salazar
 

September 2023

Q: Who did Lucy encounter in Japan in the episode "The Ricardos Go to Japan?"

A: Bob Cummings 

Winner: Kathryn Hart
 

August 2023

Q: What did Lucy and Ethel make in the episode "Pioneer Women?"

A: Bread and butter

Winner: Jamie Grady 

 

July 2023

Q: Whose footprints do Lucy and Ethel steal during their Hollywood adventure?

A: John Wayne's footprints

Winner: Arlene Casseday
 

June 2023

Q: What did Lucy lose during the episode "Building a Bar-B-Q?"

A: Her wedding ring

Winner: Kendall Beerwinkle

 

May 2023

Q: When did the first episode of "I Love Lucy" air on television?

A: October 15, 1951

Winner: Kenneth Ziegenfuss
 

April 2023

Q: "The Freezer" was episode 29 of the first season but was the very first episode to credit Desi Arnaz as what?

A: Executive Producer

Winner: Darlene Jespersen
 

March 2023

Q: In which episode did Lucille Ball almost drown while filming on set due to a fellow cast member who did not speak or understand English very well?

A: Lucy's Italian Movie 

Winner: Lori Fowler
 

February 2023

Q: What is the name of Lucy and Ricky's production company that produced the "I Love Lucy" show?

A: Desilu Productions

Winner: Kerrie Shannon
 

January 2023

Q: In the sixth season of “I Love Lucy,” Ricky purchases the Tropicana Club and renames it ______________.

A: Club Babalu

Winner: Annamarie Koch
 

December 2022

Q: What was the age gap between Vivian Vance (Ethel) and William Frawley (Fred)?

A: 22 years

Winner: Judith Griffin
 

November 2022

Q: Which episode of "I Love Lucy" is shown by the cover of this 2023 calendar?

https://www.lucystore.com/i-love-lucy-2023-special-edition-12-month-calendar.html

A: Ricky's Hawaiian Vacation 

Winner: Ashley Marie
 

October 2022

Q: What did Lucy and Ethel name their product in the episode "Million Dollar Idea"?

A: Aunt Martha's Old Fashioned Salad Dressing

Winner: Mary Harris
 

September 2022

Q: In the episode, "Ricky's Old Girlfriend," what is the name of Ricky's fictional girlfriend from Cuba?

A: Carlotta Romero

Winner: Karen Staples
 

August 2022

Q: In the episode, “Lucy Tells the Truth,” what is the length of time that Fred and Ricky bet that Lucy couldn’t last without telling a lie?

A: 24 hours or 1 day

Winner: Linda Segundo
 

July 2022

Q: In the episode, "Ricky Has Labor Pains," what name did Fred give to Ricky's daddy shower?

A: Stag Party

Winner: Beth Anne Roby 
 

June 2022

Q: In the episode, "Lucy Gets a Black Eye," how did Lucy get a black eye? 

A: Ricky threw a book for her to catch but she missed it and it ended up hitting her in the eye.
 

Winner: Leanna Gaughan 

May 2022

Q: In the episode "Sales Resistance," what product did Lucy see on TV and purchase for $7.95?

A: The Handy Dandy Kitchen Helper which "peels and splices, cuts and rices, skins and dices, at lowest prices."

Winner: Angela Reyes
 

 April 2022

Q: Please refer to the following link:

https://www.lucystore.com/i-love-lucy-mattel-barbie-doll-operetta-gypsy.html

In the episode of "I Love Lucy" inspiring this doll, what were the names of Lucy and Ricky's characters in the play?

A: Lucy - Camille (Queen of the Gypsies); Ricky - Prince Lancelot

Winner: Brad Case
 

March 2022

Q: In the episode "Lucy Does a TV Commercial," what percentage of alcohol is contained by Vitameatavegamin? 

A: Vitameatavegamin originally contained 11% alcohol, but was later changed to 23% (46 proof) for the show.

Winner: Terry D
 

February 2022

Q: Please go to the following page, https://www.lucystore.com/i-love-lucy-black-and-white-gingham-dress.html, and tell us from what episode is this dress taken from?

A: The Business Manager

Winner: Karen Henrichs

January 2022

Q: In the episode "Getting Ready," Ethel is lamenting the fact that she never gets to go anywhere when Fred reminds her that she once took a "lovely trip" to Minnesota. Why did she go to Minnesota?

A: Ethel went to Mayo Brothers in Minnesota to have her gallstones removed.

Winner: Erica Chesney

December 2021

Q: What episode of I Love Lucy only aired once and wasn't originally syndicated and, therefore, was never seen again until recently?

A: The Christmas Special

Winner: Sondra Dormand
 

November 2021

Q: In season 6, Lucy meets Orson Welles while shopping in Macy's. What was Lucy shopping for?

A: Scuba Diving Equipment

Winner: Emily McNutt
 

October 2021

Q: In "Ricky Loses His Temper," Lucy bets Ricky that she can go longer without buying a hat than he can go without losing his temper. How much money did they bet?

A: $49.50 - The cost of a hat 

Winner: Eloise Ockert
 

September 2021

Q: In Season 3, what were Lucy and Ethel trying to sell on TV to "get rich quick?"

A: Aunt Martha's Old Fashioned Salad Dressing

Winner: Cathy Brown
 

August 2021

Q: In season 4, Lucy picks out an ugly pair of “hostess pants” for Fred to give Ethel for her birthday.  What gift did Ethel really want?

A: A Toaster

Winner: Anamarie Noriega

July 2021

Q: What magazine is Lucy seen reading in the episode, "Ricky Has Labor Pains," that actually featured an I Love Lucy article written by Desi Arnaz that was featrured in the magazine?

A: McCall's Magazine

Winner: Johnel Barfield

June 2021

Q: What was Ethel Mertz middle name?

A: Mae, and alternatively throughout the series, Louise and Roberta

Winner: Brad Case

May 2021

Q: What was the date when the final "I Love Lucy" episode aired?

A: May 6, 1957

Winner: Robbie Gordan

April 2021

Q: Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball were married on November 30, 1940. At what venue were they married?

A: Byram River Beagle Club in CT

Winner: Beatrice Snope

March 2021

Q: As a favor to producer Jess Oppenheimer, who wrote and composed the famous "I Love Lucy" theme song? This person was not credited for the music because he was, at the time, under an exclusive contract to Twentieth-Century Fox Film Corporation?

A: Eliot Daniel

Winner: Marshan Thomas

February 2021

Q: At the age of 48, how many performances did Lucille Ball star in "Wildcat," her only Broadway Show?

A: 171

Winner: Gloria Sostre

January 2021

Q: Lucille Ball earned several nicknames while working in show business. What were three nicknames she was given and earned during her many years she graced the Big Screen and TV?

A: Technicolor Tessie, The First Lady of Television, Queen of Comedy

Winner: Ernie Casciato

December 2020

Q: Vivian Vance wrote her autobiography before she died. Unfortunately, it went missing. In what year was her autobiography finally found after Vance died in 1979?

A: 1986

Winner: Ange Mancuz

November 2020

Q: After moving to New York in 1932, Vivian Vance was an understudy for who in the hit musical, Anything Goes," which co-starred Bing Crosby and Charlie Ruggles.

A: Ethel Merman

Winner: Diane Roberto

October 2020

Q: In 1948, Lucille Ball landed a role in the CBS radio program, "My Favorite Husband," which would later be parlayed into her trademark television series, I Love Lucy. What was her character's name she was given in this radio program?

A: Liz Cugat or Liz Cooper

Winner: Regina Hupert

September 2020

Q: Lucille Ball is most famous for her genius as Lucy in "I Love Lucy," which she did to perfection. However, in real life she had a no-nonsense talent as a business women. Unfortunately, she wasn't always perfect as an employee. In her early days, she worked at an ice cream store. What reason was Lucille Ball fired from her employment at this ice cream store?

A: She couldn't remember to put bananas in banana splits

Winner: Derrick Holdman

July 2020

Q: In "The Operetta," Lucy writes an Operetta for the Wednesday Afternoon Fine Area League. What was the name of the Operetta?

A: "The Pleasant Peasant"

Winner: Cynthia Hutchins

June 2020

Q:   There are a few, rare photos of both Lucille Ball and Marilyn Monroe together. During a benefit that was held on May 13, 1955, there is a picture of them together. What was the name of the benefit where these photos were captured?

A: Damon Runyon Cancer Fund, hosted by Walter Winchell

Winner: Wendy Reiner

May 2020

Q: What was the name of Little Ricky Jr's babysitter in I Love Lucy?

A: Matilda Trumbull

Winner: Sara Alderman

April 2020

Q: What was Desi Armaz' full given Cuban name before he shortened his name when he emigrated to America during the Cuban Revoluaton?

A: Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y de Acha III

Winner: Robyn Franz

March 2020

Q: What popular classic song was William Frawley the first-ever to sing: (Hint: He sung it in 1912.)

A: My Melancholy Baby

Winner: Linda Mills

February 2020

Q: "The Lucy Show" was based on a book written by Irene Kampen. What was the title of this book?

A: "Life Without George"

Winner: Missy Krambule

January 2020

Q: In 1956, Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance and William Frawley appeared for the first and only time together in color. What was the name of the TV special where this was first aired? 

A: In October 1956, all 4 cast members appeared on a Bob Hope special on NBC, the only time all four stars were together on a color telecast.

Winner: Whitney Bono

December 2019

Q: Lucille Ball was nominated for 13 Emmy Awards. How many of those 13 did she win?

A: 4

Winner: Stewart Savage

November 2019

Q: In what year did Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball form Desilu Productions?

A: 1950

Winner: Crista Riley

October 2019

Q: In order to keep up the illusion for young watchers of the show, in what episode and what famous actor, agreed that in the credits, instead of listing the actor's real name, the guest star's name was to be displayed as the titular character played on the episode?

A: George Reeves in the Episode "Superman" 

Winner: Stacey Herrenbone

September 2019

Q:  During the scene in "Pioneer Women," a real 8 foot long loaf of bread pops out of the oven. The producers found a NY Bakery willing to bake one, and after filming was complete, it was cup up and served to the audience. What type of bread was this?

A: Rye Bread

Winner: Jeremy Perrone

August 2019

Q: When Lucy hid dozens of eggs and then danced the tango with Ricky, rsulting in the inevitable blouse full of scrambled yolks, the audience roared for so long that it was the longest laugh on the show, and even had to be edited out in the final film. How many seconds did this laugh originally last from the audience?

A: 65 Seconds

Winner: Jessica Chaban

July 2019

Q: One tradition of the show that lasted until the very end was that every time an actor could get the audience to erupt into spontaneous applause, that person was given something after the scene. What was the item given?

A: Silver Dollar

June 2019

Q: What was the real name of the chocolate dipper that stage manager, Herb Browar, found at See's Candies on Santa Monica Boulevard to play side by side with Lucille during the taping of "Jobs Switching"?

A: Amanda Milligan

May 2019

Q: In what episode did the writers originally call for Ricky to fudge some numbers on his income tax return? Desi was extremely patriotic and did not want the audience to think that Ricky would cheat the U.S. government.

A: “Lucy Tells The Truth”

April 2019

Q: How many years younger was Vivian Vance than her TV husband, William Frawley?

A: 22 Years

Winner: Pamela Orndt

March 2019

Q: Desi Arnaz listed his height as 5' 11" in most of his official biographies. However, he often wore lifts in his shoes. What was Desi's real height?

A: 5' 9"

Winner: VIcki Silverstein

February 2019

Q: February is William Frawley’s birthday month. In what television series did he never feel comfortable with the out-of-sequence filming method used after filming I Love Lucy in sequence for years? 

A:  My Three Sons

Winner: Caroline Woolsey

January 2019

Q: All four main actors received wide-spread acclaim for their work, but which of the four NEVER received an Emmy nomination?

A: Desi Arnaz

Winner: James Candova

December 2018

Q: Desi Arnaz gave William Frawley one stipulation for getting the part of Fred Mertz. What was the stipulation that William kept in all the time filming the I Love Lucy TV Series?

A: Never missed a day and was never late

Winner: Samantha Connelly

November 2018

Q.  On 11/5/86, Lucille Ball received a prestigious award for her acting. What was the name of this award?

A: Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Lifetime Achievement Citation

Winner: Julia Proffit

October 2018

Q.  I Love Lucy was not only a talented, well scripted, extremely popular TV comedy, but it paved the path for how TV shows are filmed, even today. What real life event happened in the lives of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz while shooting I Love Lucy that created the TV rerun to be born, which has since been a staple in the industry?

A: The Birth of their son, Desi Arnaz Jr.

Winner: Mark Finnegan

September 2018

Q. What is the current name of the real chocolate store located in Beverly Hills California, where Lucille Ball, got her idea to film “Job Switching?” This idea came when she walked in the back of the small shop and saw them making the chocolates on the conveyer belt? (FYI - The original conveyor belt that inspired Lucy is still standing in this store, and they allow tours.)

A: Edelweiss Chocolates

Winner: Angelina Parker

August 2018

Q:  What famous actress was once Lucille Ball’s roommate, and starred in several movies with John Wayne?

A: Maureen O’Hara

Winner: Julie Roebuck

July 2018

Q: Regarding the famous Vitameatavegamin commercial scene from "Lucy Does A TV Commercial" episode, what was the liquid Lucille Ball was actually drinking while fliming the scene?

A: Apple Pectin

Winner: Matthew Mcvea

June 2018

Q: Lucille Ball once stated she was concerned about making the jump from film to television, which was a new and untested medium at that time. She said she then had a dream where her deceased, famous, comedic actress appeared to her and convinced Lucille to "take a chance" with the TV gig? What famous actress appeared to Lucy in her dream?

A: Carole Lombard

Winner: Tristan McAuliff

May 2018

Q: Lucille Ball was featured on the very first ever cover of TV Guide. How many covers of TV Guide did Lucille Ball appear throughout her career?

A: 39

Winner: Renee Yarco

April 2018

Q: Whenever Lucy got herself into a crazy situation, someone off camera can be heard saying, "Uh-Oh!" Whose phantom voice is the "Uh-Oh" person that was present at every filming?

A: Lucy's mother, Desiree Evelyn Hunt

Winner: Augustine Mannix

March 2018

Q: Happy Birthday month to Desi Arnaz! What popular beverage company is associated with Desi Arnaz and his family?

A: Bacardi Rum

Winner: Bill Devore

February 2018

Q: It isn’t a secret that John Wayne and Lucille Ball were great friends in real life. This friendship extended to the I Love Lucy series, where John Wayne made an appearance in the episode, “Lucy and John Wayne.” In that episode, what newly released John Wayne movie was this episode trying to help promote?

A: “Blood Alley”

Winner: Lindsey Clendenen

January 2018

Q,  The episode of Lucy giving birth to “Little Ricky” was viewed by over what percent of all U.S. households? This episode had higher ratings than the inauguration of which U.S. President?

A: 70% of all U.S. households; Inauguration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower

Winner: Kimberly Eady

December 2017

Q,  This is a two-part question: What was the date that the ‘I Love Lucy Christmas Episode’ first aired? This episode was not seen again until what date (hint, it was shown in honor of Lucille Ball after her death)?

A: The I Love Lucy Christmas show first aired on December 24, 1956. It was not shown again until December 18, 1989

Winner: Patti Daniels
 

November 2017

Q.  Before the show aired and they finally settled on the names of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo, what were they going to originally call the famous couple? 

A: Lucy and Larry Lopez

Winner: Cathy Howson 
 

October 2017

1.   What was Lucille Ball’s nickname inscribed on the Lucille Ball Plaque?  
2.   What episode is Lucy’s picture taken from that is printed on the Lucy Glitter Tumbler?
3.   Located on the ‘Vintage’ page, list one item that came out in 1953?
4.   On the ‘Mattel Dolls’ page, from what episode is the first doll on the 4^th row?
5.   What is the name of the sheet music found on the ‘Comic Books, Magazine Covers and Printed Material’ page?

A: 
1.  Technicolor Tessie
2.  "Lucy Tells The Truth"
3.  TV Guide or Little Ricky Buggy
4.  "Lucy Does A TV Commercial"
5.  "Hey, Look Me Over" 

Winner: All those that played October's Trivia Contest received a 10% off coupon for the entire month of October

September 2017

Q: Please go to our calendar page (https://www.lucystore.com/i-love-lucy-calendars-2017.html), and locate the second calendar in the first row. What episode is this picture taken from?

A: Pioneer Woman

Winner: Pawla Chaumet

August 2017

Q: What item did Lucille Ball receive a lifetime supply, and who sent the item?

A: Lifetime supply of Henna given to her from a Shiek

Winner: Ann James

July 2017

Q: What extremely popular TV Series did Lucille Ball save from the chopping black by overruling her Desilu Production Company's Board Members to proceed to fund the newly developed show?

A: Star Trek

Winner: Brenda Benavidez
 

June 2017

Q: What was the stage name Lucille Ball used when she first started on Broadway?

A: Diane/Dianne Belmont

Winner: Brittany Cook
 

April/May 2017

Q: I Love Lucy almost never made it to air because CBS ha trouble securing a sponsor for the show. Which company was finally secured as the sponsor?

A: Philip Morris

Winner: Rebekah Kaser
 

March 2017

Q: What was "Desi" short for?

A: Desidero

Winner: Flower Child

 

February 2017

Q: When was the only time William Frawley would take time off from work?  

A:  When the Yankees were in the World Series 

Winner:  David Hogan

 

October 2016

Q: October 15, 2016, marks the 65^th anniversary of what special event in Lucy history?

A: The debut of I Love Lucy on CBS

Winner: Karen Felker

 

September 2016

Q  :  Where did the I Love Lucy character names "Fred and Ethel" originate from?  

A: The names Fred and Ethel were created by taking the first name of Lucy's brother, Fred, and the first name of Lucy's good friend, Broadway star Ethel Merman.

Winner: Veronica Murdoch

 

August 2016

Q: In "Ricky Thinks He is Getting Bald," what are the 4 ingredients Lucy uses in his scalp treatment?

A: Mustard plaster, oil, vinegar & eggs

Winner: Tara

 

July 2016

Q: In the episode, "The Diet," how many pounds did Lucy try to lose in 5 days?

A: 12 Pounds

Winner: Sandy Staymate

 

May/June 2016

Q: On what date did the final episode of "I Love Lucy" air?  What was the name of that episode?

A:  May 6, 1957 - The Ricardos Dedicate a Statue

Winner: Lacie Reece

 

April 2016

Q: What is the name of the Women's Club to which Lucy and Ethel belong?

A: Wednesday Afternoon Fine Arts League

Winner: Elena Gonzalez

 

March 2016

Q: What is the name of the movie Lucy is asked to appear in while visiting Italy?

A: Bitter Grapes

Winner: Sonia Cruz

January/February 2016

Q: What is the name of the real candy factory where Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance trained for the "Job Switching" episode?

A: See's Candies

Winner: Bill King

 

November/December 2015

Q: This magnet is available in the magnets section of LucyStore.com. What is the name of the episode this scene is from?

A: The Benefit

Winner: Robert Kerns

 

October 2015

Q: If you visit the costume section of LucyStore.com, you will see that we sell this adorable blue polka dot dress costume.  What is the name of the episode in which Lucy wore this dress? 

A: Sales Resistance

Winner: Joyce Mart

 

September 2015

Q:  In season 2, while cleaning the hall closet, Lucy finds an unfinished love letter written to her old boyfriend. What was the boyfriend's name?

A: Tom Henderson

Winner: Sophia

 

July 2015

Q: What episode is this stamp from?  

A: Bonus Bucks

Winner: Jessica Hall

 

June 2015

Q: What name did the I Love Lucy producers originally want to give Ricky Ricardo's character?

A: Larry Lopez

Winner: Elena Gonzalez

 

May 2015

Q: What is the street address of the Ricardo's Manhattan apartment? Note: it is a fictitious address.

A: 623 East 68th Street

Winner: Amanda Ansley

April 2015

Q: In season 3, the Mertzes and the Ricardos purchase a diner together.  After a disagreement, they split the diner down the middle -- what were the names of the two halves of the diner?

A: Little Bit of Cuba and Big Hunk of America

Winner: Maureen Spina

March 2015

January/February 2015

Q: What name does Lucy give her cheese "baby" on the flight home from Europe?

A: Chester (she inadvertently says "cheddar" at first)

Winner:  Rachel Strine

 

November/December 2014

Q: Name the episode that this stamp is from.

A: Pioneer Women

Winner: Rhea Pillai

 

October 2014

Q: In "Ricky has Labor Pains," Lucy and Ethel disguise themselves as reporters to crash Ricky's daddy shower.  What were their "reporter" names? 

A: Pete and Sam

Winner: Art Strickland

 

September 2014

Q: In Season 1, episode 5, what is Lucy's unconventional method for selecting which bills to pay each month?

  A: She throws them all up in the air, and those that land face-up are the "winners" so they get paid.

Winner: Brenda Morris

 

August 2014  

Q: There are two parts to this question: In season 6, what is the name of the gray-haired lady who Lucy and Ethel hitch a ride with to Florida?   Who do they think she really is?

A: a) Mrs. Grundy; b) The infamous hatchet murderer, Evelyn Holmby

Winner: Colleen Peacock

 

July 2014

 Q: In season 4, Ricky mistakenly believes Lucy is playing the stock market. What is the name of the stock he thinks she invested in?

A: Canadian Allied Petroleum (Can All Pet)

Winner: Cindy Dunn

 

June 2014

Q: In "Lucy Hires an English Tutor," the tutor tells the Ricardos that they should never use the word "okay" or two other words.  What are the two other words they should never use?

A: Swell and lousy

Winner: Marcie Holben

 

May 2014

Q: In Season 4, Lucy gets a "Loving Cup" stuck on her head.  Who was Ricky supposed to present the Loving Cup to later that evening?

A: Johnny Longden

Winner: Sheila Korman 

 

 

April 2014

Q: In "L.A. at Last" Lucy, Ethel, and Fred have lunch at the Brown Derby.  Who are the two movie stars they see that do not appear on camera?

A: Carey Grant and Gregory Peck

Winner: Sally Campbell

March 2014

Q: According to Ricky and Fred, when playing golf, if you fail to hit the ball after your first three strokes, you must pick up the ball and throw it under your left leg. What did they call this?

A: A dormie

Winner:   Leeta Annitti