Come to think of it, if that's a rug on Burkett he sure does look like Fred Mertz ...
And look at this further evidence:
11/28/55: "Lucy Goes to a Rodeo"
I Love Lucy Episode 135 - Filmed 10/27/55
Story: Ricky is dismayed to learn that he signed not for a *radio* show, but a *rodeo* show.
Need I say more? How old was Karl Rove in 1955? Someone crosspost this to democraticunderground, quickly please.