‘90210,’ ‘Simpsons’ and other episodes about skiing
"The Simpsons" went skiing in a 2000 episode. Credit: Fox Broacasting Co.
With the Winter Olympics coming up, our minds turn to skiing and curling. And since we can’t immediately recall any TV shows that used curling as a plot device, we’ll offer these five in which skiing played a role (of sorts).
LUCY-DESI COMEDY HOUR (“Lucy Goes to Sun Valley,” 1958) Ricky (Desi Arnaz) cancels plans for a second honeymoon in the fancy ski resort of Sun Valley, Idaho. Of course, Lucy (Lucille Ball) goes anyway, with Ethel (Vivian Vance) in tow.
THE LUCY SHOW (“Lucy and the Winter Sport,” 1964) You can’t keep Lucille Ball away from the slopes, apparently. In this episode, Lucy Carmichael asks Mr. Mooney (Gale Gordon) to give her skiing lessons in order to impress her athletic boyfriend.
NEWHART (“Sprained Dreams,” 1983) Dick (Bob Newhart) decides to take ski lessons from Leslie (Jennifer Holmes), the Olympic skiing hopeful who’s moonlighting as a maid at the Stratford Inn.
BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 (“Thicker Than Water,” 1994) Brenda (Shannon Doherty), Donna (Tori Spelling), Brandon (Jason Priestley) and Steve (Ian Ziering) take a ski trip where Donna meets a handsome ski instructor.
THE SIMPSONS (“Little Big Mom,” 2000) Homer takes the family on a skiing trip, but while the rest of the family hits the slopes, Marge — who’s scared of the sport — stays behind at the ski lodge. Of course, she then breaks her leg when a loose-hanging clock falls on her.
Andy Edelstein, Newsday's entertainment editor, supervises coverage of TV, celebrities, movies and pop music. He has written three books on popular culture, including "The Brady Bunch Book."
