We've Progressed How Far?
My kids love the show 'I Love Lucy'.
They were first introduced to it when we went to Hawaii in 2009. They would watch it with my Mom and just laugh and laugh, they thought it was so funny that Ricky was smoking in the hospital while waiting in the 'Fathers Room' for Lucy to have her baby...and then when we got home, my Mom gave them some VIDEO TAPES (yes friends...TAPES) to watch. Again, totally loved it so when we saw season one at Wal-Mart on DVD we snatched it up!
Fast forward to last week.
The girls and I were watching an episode called 'The Audition' from 1951. Now, the plots for these shows aren't exactly complicated. The show usually ends up with Lucy's head stuck in a turkey, the couch on fire (you know, due to all the smoking) or some other crazy disaster. So, in this episode, Ricky (who is a big band leader at the 'Tropicana') hired a new showgirl who got another gig and quit. Enter Lucy. She REALLY wants to try out but Ricky doesn't want her to. She begs him so he says ok. Show up to the audition tomorrow at one. So she does. Lots of laughing from the other ladies who are trying out as apparently Lucy is too 'OLD' looking. So, they tap dance for Ricky, they sing for Ricky...but that is not the deciding factor. NO. In order to get the gig, you have to be able to fit into the costume that they had already ordered for the old dancer. Here's the kicker. It was a size 12.
12.
In 1951, a size 12 was what women attained to be. In fact, many many many jokes were told about how SMALL a size 12 was. Lucy split the skirt on the seam trying to fit into it.
In 2010, size 12 is a plus size.
How did things change so much in 60 years? Who decided that a size 0 was now completely reasonable?
I think we should find them.
Then sit on them.
They were first introduced to it when we went to Hawaii in 2009. They would watch it with my Mom and just laugh and laugh, they thought it was so funny that Ricky was smoking in the hospital while waiting in the 'Fathers Room' for Lucy to have her baby...and then when we got home, my Mom gave them some VIDEO TAPES (yes friends...TAPES) to watch. Again, totally loved it so when we saw season one at Wal-Mart on DVD we snatched it up!
Fast forward to last week.
The girls and I were watching an episode called 'The Audition' from 1951. Now, the plots for these shows aren't exactly complicated. The show usually ends up with Lucy's head stuck in a turkey, the couch on fire (you know, due to all the smoking) or some other crazy disaster. So, in this episode, Ricky (who is a big band leader at the 'Tropicana') hired a new showgirl who got another gig and quit. Enter Lucy. She REALLY wants to try out but Ricky doesn't want her to. She begs him so he says ok. Show up to the audition tomorrow at one. So she does. Lots of laughing from the other ladies who are trying out as apparently Lucy is too 'OLD' looking. So, they tap dance for Ricky, they sing for Ricky...but that is not the deciding factor. NO. In order to get the gig, you have to be able to fit into the costume that they had already ordered for the old dancer. Here's the kicker. It was a size 12.
12.
In 1951, a size 12 was what women attained to be. In fact, many many many jokes were told about how SMALL a size 12 was. Lucy split the skirt on the seam trying to fit into it.
In 2010, size 12 is a plus size.
How did things change so much in 60 years? Who decided that a size 0 was now completely reasonable?
I think we should find them.
Then sit on them.
posted by elliott5inbc at 5:28 p.m.
2 comments
