Mama's Family

1983 · 6 seasons · Comedy
7.5 Modest

Series finished

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Comedy

Thelma Harper and her spinster sister Fran open their home to Thelma's recently divorced son Vinton and his teenage son and daughter. It's quite an adjustment for everyone, especially the cranky, argumentative Thelma.

Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Year
1983
Created by
Dick Clair, Jenna McMahon
Channel
NBC · Syndication
Studio
Joe Hamilton Productions

Trivia & behind the scenes

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Origins

Mama's Family originated from 'The Family' comedy sketches on The Carol Burnett Show, which led to a TV movie called Eunice before finally becoming a full series.

Casting

Vicki Lawrence initially turned down producer Joe Hamilton's offer to spin off Mama into her own series because she didn't want to wear a fat suit playing an old lady every week and was hesitant to do it without Harvey Korman and Carol Burnett regularly by her side.

Origins

Carol Burnett and Harvey Korman convinced Lawrence to accept the spin-off, telling her it was her time to shine and to take what she'd learned from The Carol Burnett Show and make it her own.

Filming

Lawrence objected to an early script for the episode 'Mama Cries Uncle' in which Thelma was supposed to sleep with her brother-in-law, arguing it didn't fit the deeply religious character, and producers rewrote the episode's second half as a result.

Filming

Lawrence had reservations about the decision to tape the series on Stage 33 at CBS Television City, the same stage used for The Carol Burnett Show.

Reception

After NBC cancelled the show in 1984, reruns performed so well that Lorimar-Telepictures revived it in first-run syndication in 1986, ordering 100 new episodes; the syndicated version became the highest-rated sitcom in first-run syndication at the time.

Trivia

Carol Burnett reportedly resented Vicki Lawrence for signing on to the syndicated revival with Joe Hamilton during Burnett's acrimonious divorce from Hamilton, and held a grudge until Hamilton's death in 1991, after which the two reconciled.

Music

The show's theme song, 'Bless My Happy Home,' was originally written and performed a cappella by Vicki Lawrence herself, though producers used an instrumental version composed by Peter Matz for broadcast; Lawrence later revealed the lyrics during her stand-up show and they were also used in a MeTV advertisement.

References

The episode 'Rashomama' is a parody of the Japanese film Rashomon, in which several characters give differing accounts of how Mama got hit with a kettle.

Filming

According to Vicki Lawrence, the episode 'The Love Letter' was shot in a single take lasting exactly 22 minutes with no costume changes, finishing so efficiently that the director called it a wrap early.

Memorable quotes

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Uhh-ohhhhh!

Thelma Her signature exclamation of dismay

I only drove one time in my life--1946. I started out with a sedan and I came back with a convertible!

Thelma Boasting about her one and only time driving

Ellen, what a sweet thought. No wonder I love you best. You were my first born and you are my favorite. Should have quit while I was ahead.

Thelma Playing favorites among her children

Naomi, What a sweet thought. No wonder I love you best. You're like the daughter I never had.

Thelma Playing favorites among her children

Eunice, what a sweet thought. No wonder I love you best. You were my third born and you are my favorite. Third time's the charm.

Thelma Playing favorites among her children

(to snobbish Nita Peterson) Nita, you've got a lot of class for a dame with a rip in her drawers!

Thelma Putting a snobbish neighbor in her place

I swear, I can't understand why they don't hold these church bazaars in the dead of winter when people can stand to be in their kitchens!

Thelma Complaining about church bazaars

(to Naomi) Your idea of a workout includes a man, a bed, and a cigarette afterwards!

Thelma Mocking Naomi's idea of exercise

(to Iola) Get out, you jokin' jackass!

Thelma Scolding Iola

Well, I'll bet the neighbors are just lovin' this!

Thelma Worrying about what the neighbors think

(to Eunice) You wouldn't know the truth if it bit you on the butt!

Ellen Arguing with Eunice

(after an unkind remark by Ellen) I'm gonna break your teeth Ellen, pass 'em over!

Naomi Threatening Ellen after an insult

[To Thelma] NOW who's the tramp!

Naomi Turning an insult back on Thelma

Thanks a lot, Mama!!

Vint Reacting to one of Mama's schemes gone wrong

Mama, what have you done?

Vint Reacting to one of Mama's schemes gone wrong

Skeeee-teeeer!

Vint Calling out for Skeeter

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