"Mama's Family" (1983) TV series 1983-1990

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Creators:

Dick Clair
Jenna McMahon

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Release Date:

22 January 1983 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Thelma Harper and her spinster sister Fran open their home to Thelma's recently divorced son Vinton and his teenage son and daughter...

Plot Keywords:

Widow | Family Relationships | Dysfunctional Family | Mother Son Relationship | Grandmother Grandson Relationship

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 1 win & 8 nominations

Cast

Vicki Lawrence	...	Thelma 'Mama' Crowley Harper (130 episodes, 1983-1990)
Ken Berry	...	Vinton Harper / ... (130 episodes, 1983-1990)
Dorothy Lyman	...	Naomi Oates Harper / ... (125 episodes, 1983-1990)
Allan Kayser	...	Bubba Higgins (95 episodes, 1986-1990)
Beverly Archer	...	Iola Lucille Boylen (91 episodes, 1986-1990)

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono (1983-1986) | Stereo (1986-1990)

Certification:

USA:TV-PG

Filming Locations:

1019 Montrose Avenue, South Pasadena, California, USA

Company:

Joe Hamilton Productions

Trivia:

Aunt Fran (Rue McClanahan) was written out by having her die while eating a sandwich at the Bigger Jigger.

Quotes:

Vinton Harper: Thanks a lot, Mama!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Simpsons: Lisa's First Word (#4.10)" (1992)

Nobody does it like Mama!

Of all the Carol Burnett show sketches, Mama's family was always my favorite with Eunice and Ed. When it came on television in NBC primetime, it stayed on for two seasons. It was worth watching a dysfunctional family like the Harpers for a change. No, the Harper's are not perfect but nobody else is. Perhaps the fact that the Harpers were really one of the first dysfunctional families in prime time television. I liked Rue McClanahan and Betty White as Aunt Franny and snobby Ellen on Mama's Family more than on the Golden Girls. I love watching the Harpers on TBS. After its prime time cancellation, they resurfaced in syndication and stayed on for a few more seasons. It is wonderful to have them again. I didn't care so much about the changes because they came back in syndication. Granted, I would have loved to see Eunice, Ed, Ellen, Buzz and Sonja again but it's better than not having anything. It shouldn't have been cancelled in the first place. So when they returned to They are Midwestern family, middle class, and highly dysfunctional but if they were functional than there would be no reason to watch this show but still it's worth to watch Mama and take a few lessons from the pro.