Mama's Family

Mama's Family (1983-1990)

EndedScripted showComedy

Based on a series of sketches from The Carol Burnett Show, Mama's Family mined humor from a squabbling family in the Midwestern blue collar suburb of Raytown. The noisy clan was headed by Mama, a buxom, gray-haired widow with sharp opinions and a sharper tongue who shared her small house with her high-strung sister Fran. Mama's lazy, dimwitted son, Vinton, moved in at the start of the series with his troublesome teenage children, Buzz and Sonja, after his wife had run off to become a Las Vegas showgirl. Vint soon became romantically involved with Naomi, Mama's promiscuous next-door neighbor, and the two eventually were married. Further uproar was caused by the periodic visits from Mama's two married daughters, the foul mouthed Eunice and the snobbish Ellen.

Though the series initially ran for only two seasons on NBC, producer Joe Hamilton revived the series for first-run syndication in 1986. The show's "second life" brought about several changes, including the absence of such characters as Aunt Fran (who had died by choking on a toothpick), Buzz and Sonja (who had gone off to college), and Eunice, who had moved with her husband Ed to Florida... without telling their son Bubba, just as he was being released from juvenile hall. As a result, Bubba moved into the household with Mama, Vint and Naomi as a new character. Also joining the cast was Iola, Mama's uptight spinster neighbor with an unrequited crush on Vint. This second run was considerably more successful than the first, ending in 1990.

Networks

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S06E20Bye-Bye -- Baby!févr. 24, 1990
S06E19There Is Nothing Like the Damesfévr. 17, 1990
S06E18Look Who's Breathingfévr. 10, 1990
S06E17Guess Who's Going to Dinnerfévr. 3, 1990
S06E16Pinup Mamajanv. 27, 1990
View all episodesView all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions  Warning: Spoilers

When did Mama's Family first premiere?

Mama's Family first premiered on January 22, 1983.

Who played the role of Mama on the show?

The role of Mama was played by Vicki Lawrence.

What is the name of the family that the show revolves around?

The show revolves around the Harper family.

What was the original network that aired Mama's Family?

The original network that aired Mama's Family was NBC.

What is the name of the town where the Harper family lives?

The town where the Harper family lives is called Raytown.

Who did Thelma Harper live with on the show?

Thelma Harper lived with her son Vint and his family on the show.

What is the name of Vint's wife on the show?

Vint's wife on the show is named Naomi.

How many seasons of Mama's Family were produced?

Mama's Family was produced for six seasons.

What is the name of Mama's oldest daughter on the show?

Mama's oldest daughter on the show is named Ellen.

What is the name of the actor who played Buzz on the show?

The actor who played Buzz on the show is Eric Brown.

Who did Fran Crowley play on Mama's Family?

Fran Crowley played Aunt Fran on Mama's Family.

What is the name of the character who runs the local diner?

The character who runs the local diner is named Iola Boylen.

Who played the role of Iola Boylen on the show?

The role of Iola Boylen was played by Beverly Archer.

What is the name of the character who is Thelma's neighbor?

Thelma's neighbor on the show is named Fred.

Who played the role of Fred on Mama's Family?

The role of Fred was played by Allan Kayser.

Cast

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Characters

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