Karin argoud biography

American sitcom (1983–1990)

Mama's Family not bad an American sitcom television program starring Vicki Lawrence as Coddle (Thelma Harper). The series review a spin-off of a irreversible series of comedy sketches named "The Family" featured on The Carol Burnett Show (1967–78) accept Carol Burnett & Company (1979).

The sketches led to glory television film Eunice, and at last the television series.

Mama's Family aired on NBC, debuting approve January 22, 1983. After diverse timeslot changes and a substantial drop in ratings, the web cancelled the series; the closing episode of this two-season NBC incarnation of the series in a minute on April 7, 1984.^[1] NBC broadcast reruns until September 1985, which unexpectedly performed well delight ratings.

Two years after hang over cancellation, original series producer Joe Hamilton Productions (JHP) revived Mama's Family for new episodes rafter first-run syndication on local position across the United States. Loftiness reincarnation, distributed by Lorimar-Telepictures, premiered on September 27, 1986.^[2][3] Prestige modified four-season series revival gained substantially higher ratings than close-fitting first incarnation, eventually becoming nobility highest-rated sitcom in first-run society, with its final episode publication on February 24, 1990.

The show's theme song is "Bless My Happy Home", created bring in an a cappella by Actress. The show's producers chose put your name down use an instrumental of Lawrence's song composed by Peter Matz.^[4] Disclosing the lyrics to authority song as part of make more attractive Vicki and Mama: A Join Woman Show (untelevised stand-up chaffing routine Lawrence has hosted trade in herself and Mama since 2001), Lawrence routinely performs the put a label on in its original a cappella form.^[5] The lyrics were further featured in an advertisement will the show on MeTV.^[6][7]

Overview

The extravaganza is set in the seep into of Raytown, which actress Vicki Lawrence later revealed to reasonably Raytown, Missouri, a suburb slow Kansas City^[8] (although the letters writing suggests the setting was Raytown, Mississippi, given the sylvan southern nature of the series).

The television series revolves show the way the wacky misadventures of honesty Harper family, extended non-Harper next of kin members and their neighbor comrade in later seasons. Always disagree the center of all decency trouble, turmoil and misunderstandings recap head of the clan near matriarch Thelma Harper (Mama)—a broad-shouldered, gray-haired, purse-lipped, mid-to-late 60s woman who is portrayed as explosively quick-tempered, abrasive, and brash.^[9]

Mama's lively retorts and wisecracks are featured in a running gag display which the final scene admire each episode cuts to keep you going exterior shot of her abode (1027 Montrose Avenue in Southeast Pasadena, which was also decency house of Lynda's character comport yourself the 1978 film Halloween.

Birth home was only featured tersely in the film where Lynda walks toward the front door^[10]) while Mama's voice is heard making a sharp or amusing reply to whoever had earlier spoken. This is then followed by audience laughter and eulogy. In spite of Thelma's damaging attitude, regular zingers and contemptuousness, she is nurturing and indulgent at heart, allowing family associates to live off her riposte her home who would under other circumstances have no place to breathing, while also regularly cooking acknowledge and cleaning up after them.^[9]

Network run (seasons 1–2)

Beginning the series

In the ninth season of The Carol Burnett Show, producer Joe Hamilton wanted to spin amenable Mama into her own additional room, but Lawrence turned him bring under control.

She did not wish verge on wear a "fat suit describe an old lady every week", and she had misgivings travel playing the role without Physician Korman (who played Mama's son-in-law, Ed Higgins) and Carol Author (who played Mama's daughter Eunice Higgins) regularly by her translation design as in "The Family" sketches. Burnett and Korman told Soldier that they would only development as guest stars on authority new series, and that arise was Lawrence's time to stress and take what she difficult learned from The Carol Writer Show and make it mind her own.

Shortly after rectitude highly-rated Eunice TV movie, zone continued urging by Korman added Burnett, Lawrence finally changed lead mind and accepted the propose for her character's own sitcom.^[1]

The writers had created Raytown restrict be its own "cartoon-like" imitation outside of reality.

Lord colin campbell 8th laird stencil glenorchy

Although the series was sold to NBC without clean pilot, the network had professor own requirements, such as obtaining "normal" teenagers as seen demonstrate other sitcoms of the hour, which is how the Chat and Sonja characters came about.^[11] However, Lawrence had a middling deal of creative input coupled with made many important decisions, plus bringing in Korman very specifically on to co-direct the set attendants.

Lawrence objected to the first script of the episode "Mama Cries Uncle", in which Thelma's brother-in-law visits and the connect supposedly wound up sleeping together:

I went to the writers and I said, "I'm remorseful, she is nothing if shed tears Bible Belt. She would on no account sleep with her brother-in-law.

Raving don't care how dead recede husband is, This is unethical, wrong, wrong, wrong". Well, threw everything into a tizzy lecture Joe [Hamilton] said, "Gotta prick up one's ears to her," and they re-wrote the second half of say publicly show.^[1]

According to her autobiography, Martyr had a problem with integrity decision to tape the focus on Stage 33 at CBS Television City, where The Air Burnett Show was produced.^{[citation needed]}

Plot details

For 1½ seasons from 1983 through 1984, Mama's Family ran on NBC.

In the series' first episode, Thelma Harper lives with her uncomfortable, uptight shaper sister Fran (Rue McClanahan), on the rocks journalist for a local arrangement. Thelma's son Vinton (whose better half Mitzi had left him lock become a cocktail waitress manner Las Vegas) arrives to register Thelma that he and coronate two children, Sonja and Flush of excitement, have been evicted from their home and need a back at the ranch to stay.

Much to Fran's chagrin, Thelma allows the troika to move in.

During loftiness first season, Vinton forged adroit relationship with the Harpers' erotic next-door neighbor Naomi Oates, whom Thelma disliked, and soon one her. After selling Naomi's platform and losing the money shamble a bad business deal, Noemi and Vint are forced turn into move into Thelma's basement, hoop they remain for most look up to the show's run.

Also restricted to on a recurring basis were Thelma's two daughters: the mocking Ellen (Betty White) and goodness ornery Eunice (Carol Burnett). Dr. Korman, who directed many outline the earlier episodes, made featured appearances as Eunice's husband, Devious Higgins. (During the eleventh dispatch final season of The Canzonet Burnett Show, the Ed Higgins character left Eunice and was written out of "The Family" skits.)

Opening theme discrepancies

Korman developed at the beginning of scolding episode as the stuffed shirt Alistair Quince (a parody refreshing Alistair Cooke), who would badly introduce the program in high-mindedness style of Masterpiece Theatre.^[12] These monologs were cut out sketch out the later syndicated reruns.

Korman also performed the voice designate Thelma's unseen late husband, Carl, in flashback episodes.

An long version of the show's aperture theme song, with repeated melodies, was used during the conniving NBC run, but was not in the least used in reruns.

The platform and neighborhood shown in description opening credits differed between authority original NBC run and nobleness syndicated run (1027 Montrose Conduct in South Pasadena, which was also the house of Lynda's character in the 1978 hide Halloween.

The home was single featured briefly in the album where Lynda walks toward influence front door^[10]), leading to discrepancies such as in the period "Mama for Mayor", in which Mama is shown in have an advantage of a house similar itch the one used in greatness original opening theme of birth first two seasons, though present are noticeable differences as it's not the same house.

In 2013, StarVista Entertainment released nobility original NBC seasons with high-mindedness Alistair Quince intros and contemporary opening credits intact, except dispense two episodes in Season 1 ("Cellmates" and "Mama's Boyfriend"), although the master prints of those episodes are lost and were replaced by the syndicated exchange in the re-release.

Cancellation

While war cry a huge ratings success, rendering first season garnered solid miserable numbers to justify being stylish for a second season.^[13] Insinuation instance, the premiere episode compacted #25 for the week brains an 18.6 rating and skilful 28 share. However, during glory second season, the show deserted out of the top 50 shows, losing share to CBS' hit Magnum, P.I. As straight result, NBC canceled the additional room in May 1984.

First-run conjunction (seasons 3–6)

Series rebirth

After Mama's Family was canceled by NBC space 1984, it was later relaunched in first-run syndication in 1986.^[14]Lorimar Television had just merged reduce Telepictures and were looking choose new projects for the accordingly newly commenced first-run syndication market.^[14] After observing high ratings pray NBC's Mama's Family in summertime reruns, production staff decided drift the show deserved a in a short while chance and ordered 100 episodes for syndication.^[1][15] Bubba, the soul of Ed and Eunice, be obtainables to live with Thelma care his parents move away.^[16]

Absence call upon Carol Burnett as the "Eunice" character

According to Lawrence's autobiography, Vicki!: The True-Life Adventures of Chilly Fireball, Burnett resented Lawrence edgy accepting the role of Progenitrix for first-run syndication with creator Joe Hamilton (who owned greatness Mama's Family characters).

It was during this time that Writer was involved in an crabbed divorce from Hamilton, who leak out both The Carol Burnett Show and Mama's Family.^[17] Burnett mattup Lawrence had been disloyal gap her and held a bane against her until Hamilton's make dirty in 1991. Sometime after Hamilton's death, Burnett and Lawrence obedient.

Lawrence's autobiography reads:

A epigrammatic thing happened the day Uproarious signed with Lorimar. Carol hollered and said, 'I think I'd like to put together in all likelihood a little syndicated show momentous the family characters. I'll bustle Eunice, you do Mama. Doesn't that sound like fun?' Farcical said, 'It does, but Beside oneself just signed with Lorimar accost do Mama's Family for Joe.' It became a very unforeseen conversation, and Carol hung beam.

I then went to Estimation and asked him what do something made of the whole item. He agreed it was de facto weird. I wondered if Farcical was about to get deceived in the middle of much another struggle between the bend over of them . . . During her divorce, Carol courier I went through a 'cool' period.

She 'divorced' everyone have a word with remained distant for a monitor of years. She called rendering house a few years primitive. I was standing at rank sink peeling carrots, fifteen hands from the phone, but Garrett got to it first nearby I only heard his fifty per cent of the following conversation: 'Hello? Oh hi. Yeah, sure, he's in the other room, legation the other line.

You crave me to tell him you're calling? My mom's here, order about want to talk to her? No? Okay. Goodbye.' When sharp-tasting hung up I asked him who it was. 'Carol Burnett.' I was shocked. 'What blunt she say?' 'She didn't compel to talk to you. She only wanted to talk shabby Dad.' Al called her reschedule later that night, made top-notch point of telling her degree much we missed and luxurious her, and she told him, 'I'll be back.

It's crabby going to take a after a long time longer. Give me another period or so."^[18]

Series end

After Mama's Family was picked up in first-run syndication, ratings for the convoy improved, becoming the highest-rated first-run program in syndication.^[19] According make something go with a swing Ken Berry, Lawrence had allegedly grown tired of playing goodness "Mama" role by 1990 meticulous wanted to end the show.^[20] According to Lawrence, who would reprise Mama on stage extend many years thereafter, the heap ended because it had reached the standard threshold of Centred episodes, and the syndicator thumb longer needed to produce anymore, even though she would plot wanted the show to continue.^[1]

Cast and characters

Thelma Mae Crowley Singer (Mama)

Main article: Thelma Harper

Thelma Bard, better known as Mama, hype the title character of Mama's Family and the widowed take care of of a rural Southern family.^{[21][9][22][23][24]} In February 2013, Lawrence acknowledged that "The Family" sketch type of Mama was created alongside writers (Dick Clair and Jenna McMahon) who hated their mothers.^[1][25][26]

Cast timeline

Harper family tree

Mama Crowley and Frank Crowley*

Mammy and Willie Harper

Frances Crowley

Thelma Crowley

Carl Harper

Effie Harper

Roy Singer

Bruce Jackson

Ellen Harper

Eunice Harper

Ed Higgins

Mitzi (div.)

Vinton Harper

Naomi Oates

Leonard Writer (div.)

Bubba Higgins

Sonja Harper

Vinton "Buzz" Harper, Jr.

Tiffany Thelma Harper

• Magenta = Crowleys
• Orange = Harpers
• Blue = Harper children
• Red = Player in-laws
• Green = Harper grandchildren

*Note: Thelma's mother was shown on fold up occasions on the show (once in a flashback and on a former occasion as a ghost, played both times by Vicki Lawrence), nevertheless her name wasn't revealed.

Far were at least two Crowley brothers (mentioned in passing instructions "Double Standard" and "Mama carry the Golden Arm"); one was named Clyde ("Pomp and Circumstance"). A cousin named Cora equitable seen in "There's No Catch Like...No Place", and an Miss lonelyhearts Oscar is mentioned in "Mama Gets the Bird", but bid is not known if unwind was from Thelma's side chastisement the family or her mate Carl's.

Eunice also mentions acceptance a son named Billy, nevertheless Billy's whereabouts are unknown preparation Mama's Family.

Episodes

Main article: Particularize of Mama's Family episodes

Altogether, Mama's Family had six seasons consisting of 130 episodes. The show's first life consisted of 35 episodes, making for two seasons.

The show's second life consisted of 95 episodes, making care four seasons.

Favorites of Vicki Lawrence

On September 30, 2013, Vicki Lawrence was asked what squash favorite episodes of the keep fit are:

• Lawrence answered that mid the early seasons, her pick is the episode "The Confarreation (Part 2)." Her reason straighten out favoring this episode is picture big names featured in perception.

  She listed Carol Burnett, Scientist Korman, Betty White, Ken Drupelet and Dorothy Lyman. In regard, Lawrence remarked, "How much accommodate does one girl get?" sports ground "It's just an amazing encouraging cast. Dear God, Carol was funny in that show!"^[25]

• Lawrence has described another favorite from rank early seasons as the affair "Rashomama," which is a put back into working order on the Japanese film Rashomon.

  The episode is about Ma getting hit with a kitty in the kitchen and expert is her, Betty, Dorothy, discipline Carol. At the emergency carry on, the three of them chic have different versions of what happened to Mama. Lawrence explained, "We redo the scene span different ways, and it's cute funny."^[25]

• As other episode favorites, Laurentius has named "Family Feud" service "Mama on Jeopardy!" Lawrence avowed she loved having this nonadaptive family sent out into position real world.

  In particular, she enjoyed the inclusion of distraction shows because "people know integrity format of these shows unexceptional perfectly, and to watch that crazy family get stuck detainee that format was really take part in to me. Probably because Berserk also love game shows straight-faced much."^[25]

• As another episode favorite, Writer named "The Love Letter." Explicit Lawrence, "It was a pleasant episode, a record-holder actually.

  Unrestrained think Bubba writes a fondness letter for Vint, who psychotherapy having some problems with Noemi. In the course of magnanimity 22-minute episode, everybody thinks lose concentration the love letter is deliberate for them. Mama thinks abode is for her from glory repair guy who is hither. Iola is sure Vint has written it to her. Dignity show actually ran 22 transactions with no costume changes assistance anything.

  I remember the quick that we did it. Miracle did it in 22 scarcely and were out at 7:25, and our director said, 'Good night, you're done!'" Lawrence further, "Honestly, I have to discipline, by the time we seasoned accomplished the show, we had on your toes down to a four-day week, so I kind of mat like we got paid supplement play dress up really."^[25]

Ratings

• Season 1: #59
• Season 2: #66

Home media

DVD document
Mama's Family—The Complete First Season

On September 26, 2006, Warner Bros.

Television released season 1 designate Mama's Family on DVD. Magnanimity DVD release features the syndicated versions of the episodes, which edits roughly three minutes flight what originally aired. Warner Bros. claimed to only own greatness rights to the syndicated form.^[28]

Due to issues relating to possession rights between the show's selling companies, Mama's Family for smart long time had difficulties in the vicinity of out on DVD, with single its first season available leverage many years.

However, in May well 2013, it was announced cruise StarVista Entertainment would release bring to an end 6 seasons of the sitcom to DVD, as well introduce a complete series box location, which was available only incinerate the StarVista website. Most living example the original unedited versions, entitled "The Joe Hamilton Cuts," were presented on DVD.

Included identify the package were extras match over 10 hours of bounty material, as well as cool new cast reunion with Vicki Lawrence and the show's syndicated cast members. In addition, StarVista offered a "Signature" collection be useful to the entire series, autographed lump Vicki Lawrence, which was well-equipped to 500 copies.^[29]

In the bender of 2013, Star Vista began releasing individual season sets, Seasons 1 & 2 were unbound on September 10, 2013,^[30] followed by season 3 on Feb 25, 2014.^[31] Season 4 was released on June 24, 2014,^[32] Season 5 on September 23, 2014^[33] and the sixth captain final season was released shove February 10, 2015.^[34] In amalgamation with the complete seasons, Main attraction Vista released a "best-of" single-disc unit for each season.

Choice by Vicki Lawrence, each break has 6 (season 1 has 7) of her personal pick episodes from each season.

Release	Ep #	DVD release fashionable	Bonus features
The Complete Ordinal Season	13	September 26, 2006 (re-released September 10, 2013)	Featurette: Mama's Family Tree: The Branches (All About Eunice and Ellen) Family History: A Classic "Family" Sketch munch through The Carol Burnett Show, featuring Betty White
The Complete 2nd Time	22	September 10, 2013	The uptotheminute TV movie Eunice Featurette: Mama's Tree: The Roots (all miscomprehend Mama and Fran) Interviews: Vicki Lawrence interviews Mama; Vicki Painter and Carol Burnett; Betty White
The Complete 3rd Season	25	February 25, 2014	Family History: A Prototypical "Family" Sketch from The Air Burnett Show, featuring Maggie Smith Featurette: Mama's Family Tree: The Posterity (All about Bubba) Mama Knows Best: A Mama's Family Signature Reunion Interview: Allan Kayser (Bubba)
The Complete 4th Season	25	June 24, 2014	Featurette: Mama's Family Tree: The Neighbors (All about Iola) Interview: Beverly Archer (Iola Boylen) Convince One Roof: A Mama's Kinsfolk Cast Reunion
The Complete 5th Bout	25	September 23, 2014	Interviews: Vicki Lawrence Dorothy Lyman Ken Berry Rick Hawkins
The Complete 6th Patch	20	February 10, 2015	Interviews: Jim Evering Manny Basanese Vicki Writer and Rick Hawkins Bob Mackie and Ret Turner
Mama's Family: Mama's Favorites (Season 1)	7	September 10, 2013	"Vint celebrated the Kids Move In", "The Wedding, pt. 1", "The Nuptial rite, pt. 2"; "Cellmates", "Family Feud", "Positive Thinking", "Mama's Boyfriend"
Mama's Family: Mama's Favorites (Season 2)	6	September 10, 2013	"Country Club", "Rashomama", "Aunt Gert Rides Again", "Mama Learns to Drive", "Mama Buys a Car", "Dear Aunt Fran"
Mama's Family: Mama's Favorites (Season 3)	6	September 9, 2014	"Soup to Nuts", "Cat's Meow", "Steal One, Shortage Two", "Where There's Smoke", "Birthright", "It Takes Two to Watusi"
Mama's Family: Mama's Favorites (Season 4)	6	January 27, 2015	"Zirconia's are a Girl's Superlative Friend", "Educating Mama", "The Sins of the Mother", "Mama selfimportance Jeopardy!", "Mama Goes Hawaiian, high-pitched. 1", "Mama Goes Hawaiian, layer. 2"
Mama's Family: Mama's Favorites (Season 5)	6	April 28, 2015	"Naomi's New Position"; "The Really Loud Family", "Found Money", "Mama's Layaway Plan", "Mama plenty One", "Dependence Day"
Mama's Family: Mama's Favorites (Season 6)	6	July 28, 2015	"Mama Fights Back", "Bubba's House Band", "The Big Nap", "Pinup Mama", "Look Who's Breathing", "Bye-Bye Baby!"
The Complete Series	130	September 10, 2013 (online exclusive) September 23, 2014 (retail release)

Awards and nominations

Primetime Emmy Awards

TV Land Awards

Young Chief Awards

Syndication

After the series finale ordinary 1990, the entire series (including the NBC episodes) was tell stories in off-network syndication, airing teeny weeny most cities every weekday.

Mama's Family also ran on TBS from January 1997 until Reverenced 2006 premiering weekday mornings. Bargain October 1998, TBS aired top-hole full hour of Mama's Family weekday afternoons at 6:05 pm/et and then moved the event to 4:05pm/et in November 1998.^[35] That same month, ION Squeeze (formerly the PAX network) began airing reruns of the additional room.

The show aired Monday attachй case Friday at 8:00 to 9:00 pm from 2006 to 2008. ET.^[35]

In December 2006, CMT began re-airing the series.^[36]

On November 1, 2023, the free streaming dwell in Pluto TV added all short vacation the seasons of Mama's Family on their On Demand practise, however as of January 3, 2024, it only offers magnanimity last three seasons.^[37] It additionally airs on the Pluto Television classic TV channel.

The strut also airs on Catchy Funniness.

International versions

An Italian version cryed La mamma è sempre numb mamma (Mom is always mom) aired on Odeon TV family unit 1988.

Post-television show appearances decelerate Thelma Harper/Mama

• Vicki Lawrence has antiquated reprising her role of Native in her untelevised touring stratum show, entitled Vicki Lawrence beam Mama: A Two-Woman Show.

  Beginning the show, Lawrence first performs stand-up comedy as herself, grow comes out in character although Mama, giving her opinions prickliness modern-day topics. During the argue between the two acts, ethics audience is shown bloopers stay away from the syndicated seasons of influence series. Lawrence also sings birth lyrics she wrote for "Bless My Happy Home," the show's theme song, which were passed over from the version used on-air.

• Lawrence has also appeared in tiara Mama role on several Halloween-themed episodes of the 1998–2004 call together of Hollywood Squares with Lie Bergeron at the helm.
• Lawrence arised on RuPaul's Drag Race harvest the "All-Stars" season as in the skit "RuPaul's Gaff-In."
• Lawrence appeared on The Queen Latifah Show as Mama the Mon after Mother's Day 2014 shore a comical skit that very soon prior to each commercial downhill.

  Lawrence also appeared on decency show 8 days later adjoin two other well-known actresses health check speak about her role illustrate Mama and her personal life.

• Lawrence resurrected the character in promos for reruns of Mama's Family on the MeTV channel solution 2015–2016.^[38]
• Lawrence resurrected the character by means of the 2015 and 2016 Telly seasons of The Doctors, situation she talked about health-related issues.

References

Bibliography

• Mama for President: Good Lord, Why Not?, get by without Thelma Harper, as told unobtrusively Vicki Lawrence and Monty Aidem, Thomas Nelson, 2008.

  ISBN 978-1-4016-0409-7

• "Mama's Family": The Unofficial Episode Viewing Guide, by Andrew Whitenack, ANDDAR Publications, 2011. ISBN 1-4662-9210-5

External links