With her flash of red hair, devilish grin, and neverending schemes, Lucy Ricardo is {and still remains} the Queen of Comedy in television history.   Mattel has created a series of dolls to commemorate the most classic episodes and any serious fan will find these wonderful dolls a MUST HAVE for their collection.  The dolls were issued sporadically over the course of the last 15 years, but here, in no particular order, is the run down:

1.  Job Switching Doll features Lucy in her Kramer's Candy Factory outfit, with hat and adorable mini chocolates in hand.

2.  Lucy Does a TV Commercial features Lucy in full dress as the Vitameatavegimin Girl, holding the bottle and spoon.   You can almost hear the laughter roaring when you look at this doll.

3.  Sales Resistance is classic Lucy in her blue and white polka dot dress and apron with her pretty hair tied up in a white kercheif.

4.  Be a Pal is a very hard doll to find, on eBay or anywhere else.  This lovely Lucy is dressed in her gorgeous club outfit, layered with colorful pattern and headress.

5.  Lucy Gets a Paris Gown captures the hilarity of Lucy trying to locate a French designer frock while literally wearing a feed bag on her head and a potato sack as a dress.    This is yet another HTF doll.

6.  The Ricardo's are Expecting is a pair of wonderfully detailed dolls featuring pregnant Lucy in her gorgeous green top and Ricky in his dapper tux.   This was the only set of Ricardo dolls Mattel issued and another hot collector's item.    It's not unusual to see them selling for nearly $300 on eBay.

7.  Lucy's Italian Movie features Lucy in her Grape Stomping attire as she romps with locals in the winery.  

8.  Queen of the Gypsies was screeched at the top of her lungs as Lucy performed in THE OPERETTA.   This doll is perfectly detailed down to the wacky hair do and flouncy skirt.

9.  L.A. at Last is another classic episode #114 where Lucy wears a putty nose to disguise herself in front of actor, Bill Holden.   This doll completely captures the riot that ensues as Lucy sets her fake nose ablaze with a lighter, then puts the flame out in her cup of coffee.   Doll holds the cup and the nose is burnt!   Just perfect detail once again.

10.  Lucy Gets in Pictures, issued in June, 2006, is a gorgeous doll with Lucy wearing a stunning dress and head piece just like the one she wore in this episode.   Remember her stumbling down the staircase on the movie set as she tries to steady her head dress?  Just hilarious.

11.  Released in Summer, 2007, Lucy and Ethel Buy the Same Dress is a stunning set, the first double in many years, and features the pair of wacky friends wearing the same gown.   You can almost hear them singing the "Friendship" song, in this episode #69, each one yanking pieces of the identical dresses off of each other.  Scoop this set up while you can as it is likely to sell out immediately and become highly collectible before the year is out.

12.  Issued in late 2007, "The Audition Lucy" Episode #6 depicts how she steals the hearts of the audience as she auditions for Ricky and talent scouts, dressed as "The Professor" from the 1951 premier season.  This doll is the thirteenth in the highly collectable series.   This is the first doll where Lucy is sitting rather than in a standing pose and it is very unique.   Toys R Us actually had a box of these right before Thanksgiving at only $39.99 so if you were lucky enough to find one, that was the time to buy!

13.  Next up, the Lucy Ricardo as Santa Clause doll is just priceless.   Mattel created this rare and already hard to find special edition in late 2006 commemorating Lucy in the seldom seen "I Love Lucy" Christmas Show.   I've yet to find this doll in stores, but you'll surely find them here on eBay and hopefully will be lucky enough to own one.

14.  Last, but not least, for holiday 2007 release, Vivian Vance as Ethel Mertz ~ Santa Clause Barbie, another gem from the 1956  "The Christmas Show".    This is a Platinum Label edition (only 1000 were made) and incredibly selling at auctions for upwards of $700.  Walmart couldn't unpack their shipment fast enough before customers flew out the doors with these.

All the Lucy dolls have a striking likeness to Lucille Ball.   I think the Ricky Ricardo doll does as well; however, I didn't feel that the Ethel Mertz dolls (both in "Lucy and Ethel Buy the Same Dress", and "The Christmas Show"), bore as much of a resemblence to Vivan Vance.   I would love to see Mattel issue a Fred Mertz doll with him wearing his signature suspenders and pants pulled up over his mid section.   I think a set of traditional Mr. & Mrs. Fred Mertz dolls would be an incredibly popular addition to this already legendary series.

I've managed to amass nearly every doll over the years.    Treasure them, they are timeless, as was the show itself.

I truly do LOVE LUCY!