Mama's Family 30th Anniversary

[@Michael-be7uw]

This show was iconic one of the best shows in the 80s

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

Mama is truly an iconic character.

[@damienchance7442]

I wish Mama's Family comeback on the air

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

Mama was on Me TV until The Flintstones replaced her a few days ago back on Monday. The show is still on Logo TV though.

[@mikewhipkey6863]

I'm 32 and I love this show I remember it when I was really little... No shows like this anymore! Unfortunately

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

Vicki Lawrence said it best in an interview from a couple years ago. "TV suits on either side of the coasts don't understand southern humor".

[@david0321able]

Wish they would bring it back!!

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

Mama would be fun to see again and hear her takes on what's been going with the US and the world these last couple of years.

[@david0321able]

@@SignalsOverTheAir Good Times too. So many shows could be brought back.

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

@@david0321able Yes, many shows could be brought back, but just because they could, doesn't mean they should though.

[@david0321able]

@@SignalsOverTheAir you are right.

[@maggiemonroe7299]

Thank you so much! I've loved Mama's family since I was

[@kellyhughart2105]

The syndicated episodes of "Mama's Family" were the best. My favorite character on the show is Bubba. Allan Kayser is so cute, and I love his smile!

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

All 130 episodes are good, some stand out more than others but each is enjoyable to watch regardless. Bubba, is a favorite among fans. He was originally going to be the male version of Eunice, as he is her son after all. Thankfully the writers changed this after the first couple of episodes of season three.

[@martyandrews3956]

If your in a bad mood, just watch Mamas family it will cheer you up

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

This is true, The Harper's will have you laughing in no time.

[@teridamron1322]

I love Mama's Family And Vicki Lawrence Sad that Ken Berry had passed away Broke my heart They couldn't have picked a better actor to play Vinton aka Vint Harper than Ken Berry RIP Ken Berry

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

Ken Berry was meant to play Vint, it was a good role reversal of the dumb blonde character. Ken played dumb very well, too bad he couldn't of been nominated for a Emmy for best comedic actor, as until only recently in the last couple of years network TV shows were were the only ones eligible for that award and not non network shows.

[@richardyoung4616]

To me Vint was the funniest of all, he could play dumb convincingly, RIP Ken.

[@phyllismontoroula9376]

I like this show I didn't watch until it was cancel I wantch the repeats

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

Lot of people didn't see this series until it was in syndication. Syndication is where the majority of the fan base for this series comes form.

[@dtroia62]

Growing up with Mama this is great comedy and awesome cast. Always loved Mamas witty comebacks😉

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

Yes, Mama is comedy at it's finest. Mama's comeback's are legendary to her character and why people love her so much. I think everyone can agree on why we love the Harper's is because they remind us of their own dysfunctional family.

[@dtroia62]

SignalsOverTheAir Isn't that the truth😉

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

Everybody has at least a grandmother, aunt, or maybe even a great-grandmother who speaks her mind just like Thelma does.

[@dtroia62]

SignalsOverTheAir In honesty she was like my gram I never knew cuz I never met my grandparents☺I love this comedy bought every season on DVD from EBay$33 what a steal these are great classics😘

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

By watching this series though, you feel like you got to know your grandparents then, that's very sweet. All six seasons for $33 that is a steal.

[@maggiemonroe7299]

Thank you so much, I've loved this show my

[@1Soniccool]

Mama's Family is coming to MeTV

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

+Nicholas M. Daskievige (1Soniccool) It's on MeTV already, it started January 4th of this year. Currently up to season 3 right now.

[@walterschivo9123]

That's a very nice picture of Naomi and her baby. I remembered that last episode too. It was great, but sad that it was the final episode.

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

+Walter Schivo It was a good episode, but Mama reached its 100th episode for syndication by then and no more episodes were needed, which was too bad as it would of been fun to how Vint and Naomi coped with being new parents and Mama having to take over eventually.

[@KelleyBroussardMackaig]

I would have LOVED to have seen how Vint and Naomi fared as parents as well!!! And it would have been great seeing Mama being a "great grandma too! (If memory serves, I believe they named the baby "Tiffany Thelma Harper" .) Glad to see there are folks out there who adore this show as much as I do! :)

[@presidentlesh6284]

Vint "thanks alot mama"

[@thewizboy]

I didn't see them anywhere at Target :(

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

Thanks again for the info on Buzz.

[@vwR32mja]

Also my favorite

[@thewizboy]

No, i'm talking abou t Mama's Family DVD season's 1 & 2 that were just released. I thought Target would carry them, but they didn't have them. I will just have to order from Amazon. My favorite seasons are the first two, so it will be great to both seasons :)

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

I know that some Family sketches are in the complete series box set, but I don't know about individual DVD sets though, I do however know that the 1982 CBS special Euince is included in the second season DVD.

[@thewizboy]

Are there any Family Sketches on the Bonus Features on the DVD's? if so, which Family Sketches from the Carol Burnett Show made the DVD?

[@MrKaraokegod]

No not at all. Mama mentioned his name in the episode where Naomi and Mama are in court in the episode "Harper Versus Harper".

[@thewizboy]

if you could only pick 3 shows from season one and 3 shows from season two...which 3 from each season are your favorites? :)

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

I heard about that from Time Life, though there are some people who've said they've seen those two episodes recently and said they were uncut.

[@MrKaraokegod]

Thelma Mae Crowley Harper was Mama's full name, Buzz was really called Vinton Harper, Jr..and Iola Lucille Boylen.

[@QueenCityHistory]

MrKaraokegod vicki said on an interview once that Bubba's real name was Carl after his grandpa. But I don't ever remember on the show saying Bubba's name as Carl. So idk if that was just a post production discussion or what

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

Thanks for letting me know, I'll have try my local one again and see if they got them stocked this time.

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

Mama is great character and great show as well. I'm going to get the box set, but probably wait till Christmas to get it, though in the meantime I will get the Mama's Favorites for Seasons 1 & 2 if I can find them at my local Best Buy or Target.

[@marksmith4128]

I love that Mama's Family is now all on DVD. The only problem is that some of the songs sung in some episodes are missing. Like the one where Mama sings a bit of "Singing In The Rain", in another episode she sings a bit of "I Feel Pretty" is also missing. Vint belts out a bit of "Born Free" that is also missing. I wish they would pay the music union for these songs so we can have complete episodes.

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

+Mark Smith I don't have the DVD set yet so I don't know what's missing or not, aside from what I've heard from fans that already own it. What I don't see is why any song would be missing though, Mama's Family wasn't a music heavy show, so why any would be missing in the first place just doesn't make sense.

[@marksmith4128]

Any song with a copyright must pay the music union a reuse fee in order to be reused for DVD. If there is no music clearance the music cannot be legally used on DVD. Several television shows on DVD are legendary for music edits: Gomer Pyle, The Odd Couple, even early editions of I Love Lucy.

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

+Mark Smith The fees must of been too much for Time Life/Star Vista to pay in order to get clearances or they must of figured the songs didn't take away from the episodes themselves so them not being included wasn't a lost in their eyes.

[@marksmith4128]

I did not make up this list, but click the links below to see what episodes of my favorite show had been tampered with to be brought to DVD. I hope it works: www.justeg.com/thefanperspective/ www.justeg.com/thefanperspective/

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

+Mark Smith That's quite a lot of edits. I thought unless it was the original recording of a song, being used instead of a character singing or playing it, then it was free from copyright, apparently that's not so.

[@robbieunderwood8349]

Oh if they'd only do a reunion movie!! Renewing the series is too much to hope for but why can't they do a movie showing what they're up to these days.

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

I'm sure Vicki would easily be up for a reunion film or continuation series, but sadly network TV isn't interested in Mama and the certain type of southern humor that went along with show; they just don't get it. This series unfortunately not as globally known like The Carol Burnett Show is, Mama has only been seen in syndication since it was cancelled by NBC in 1984. If they tried to bring Mama back for today's audience it wouldn't work as they would want Mama being a racist, which she isn't. Another factor would be that while the character of Mama is quite known Vint, Naomi, Bubba, and the rest of the family aren't. People would want to see Mama only and not the rest of the cast.

[@robbieunderwood8349]

SignalsOverTheAir .. I think all the cast members are still remembered by alot of ppl, maybe not enuf tho like you said.

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

@@robbieunderwood8349 Aside from Vicki, Ken Berry would be the second most known of the cast. Carol, Betty, and Havery, were only guest stars during the first and second seasons. Rue is most remembered for being Blanche on The Golden Girls and Vivian on Maude and not so much as Aunt Fran.

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

You mean the Mama's Favorites DVD's? Maybe there at Best Buy or Walmart then.

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

Thanks for pointing it out, but I decided that most people who watch my videos, don't know about this show or the chracters, so I just went with their first and last names only. Why was Buzz, called Buzz anyway, was it ever mentioned?

[@walterschivo9123]

Raytown, was that in Missouri out of curiosity?

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

+Walter Schivo In the series the state in which Raytown was in was never mentioned, from what Vicki has said before in interviews that Raytown is inspired by the town in Missouri as I think she had family that lived there.

[@KelleyBroussardMackaig]

Wow, I also assumed that Mama's family took place in Missouri as well!! It's kind of crazy that they never mentioned it - but that was naturally assumed... Wonder if we are the only ones..... :)

[@maggiemonroe7299]

Little. You gave gave so much info. Thanks again-m

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

Maggie Monroe Thanks, glad you enjoyed this video.

[@MrKaraokegod]

No problem. It is my favorite show of all time so I guess I felt the need to comment! :) Are you getting the box set? Mine came today!

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

Postive Thinking was great Euince episode, it's too bad that Carol never did a syndicated episode. Mama, never set out to ruin Naomi's party, but after her back gave out, she did what she did best, but instead of Mama getting away with it, Naomi had the last laugh with trapping her underneath the TV trays.

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

Ok, maybe Target and other stores will have them later. The first two seasons are good.

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

That's a good question, as there a lot that to choose from; but I'd pick the following, Season 1: The Wedding Parts 1 &2 and Postive Thinking and from Season 2: Rashomama, The Mama That Came To Dinner, and A Grave Mistake.

[@jeffyjohn5673]

Vicki Lawrence reminds me of my own Grandmother.

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

Vicki has said many times that out of all of the characters on the series, Mama is the one very one relates to the most, as just about every person she's meet said that their grandmothers are exactly like or have some traits of Thelma.

[@jeffyjohn5673]

Yes, especially in the South. My Grandmother lived in a small town in Louisiana, in a Craftsman home, much like Thelmas, my brother and his GF lived with her for a while ( Vince and Naomi). It is almost too real for life. LOL.

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

Mama is as southern as southern gets, minus the racism. Was your brother and his girlfriend as clueless as Vint and Naomi were?

[@MrKaraokegod]

Cellmates and Mama's Boyfriend from Season 1 ar the syndicated episodes because the original masters were lost.

[@tenebrefanify]

best buy carrys them

[@johnnorris7632]

You need to research better some inaccurate information here especially the origin of the show

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

I could and should have gone into more detail about the series and the characters, but I also didn't want the video to be too long either. This was made when I was very sick in 2013, I was coughing my brains out every couple of sentences through out the making of this video. Another reason for it being short is that I didn't think that too many people had ever heard of Mama's Family or The Carol Burnett Show so I didn't want to make a long video that people weren't going to watch because they had no previous knowledge of it.

[@Imapeach1]

The funny thing is this...in the 1982 special "Eunice" Mama died,so how could she be in the "Mama's Family" series in 1983?

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

+Imapeach1 The Eunice special was a pilot basically to see how Mama and Eunice would work as a sitcom. After the special aired on CBS the series went into production practically overnight at NBC. Most of the first season was tapped in 1982.

[@stevarino1989]

+SignalsOverTheAir kind of what I thought too, regarding most of the season being taped in 1982. Did you work on it or just know your facts?

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

+Stephen R I wished I could of worked on Mama's Family, but I was born between seasons 4 and 5. I know about the show being taped in 1982 because at the end of season 1 the copyright says 1982.

[@warp9p659]

I don't believe Dick Van Dyke ever played one of Mama's sons. He appeared on one or two "Family" episodes as a guy who rented a room from Eunice after Ed left her. He was in the password episode where Tim Conway told the hilarious elephant story.

[@jessediamond8226]

+SignalsOverTheAir really

[@thewizboy]

i love Positive Thinking...I love when Eunice say's "I'M NOT THE PATSY THAT YOU AND THIS GIBBLE GABBLE GRABBER SEEM TO THINK I AM"!!! LOLLLL Hilarious!! in the Mama that Came to Dinner I think Mama was just being mean out of pure spite lol...she totally ruined Naomi's dinner party lol

[@cricket34]

They were playing Password, not Charades.

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

+cricket34 Thank you for letting me know that, I will fix that now. They did play charades though back in season 9 though (October 25 1975).

[@mikemercado5223]

Vints kids moved back with their mother Mitzi after season 2

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

Was that mentioned in the first episode of season 3?

[@tholian_web]

Is that Beatrice Arthur narrating this video?

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

Are you referring to my voice?

[@chriscanale9535]

lol mama

[@mtownboi4ya]

I think I always liked the syndicated seasons better than season one and two. I liked Naomi Mama and Vint more. Iola and Bubba were good additions. Plus they rid of Buzz and Sonya who I thought were pointless characters

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

All the seasons are enjoyable, the syndicated years however made Naomi a pure dumb blonde and Vint as hapless as could be. Iola and Bubba were great additions, as Buzz and Sonya didn't really add anything to the series.

[@jessediamond8226]

what???????????

[@dennyaltherr6885]

You pronounced Vinton's wife's name incorrect. It's pronounced NAY-OH-ME not NIE-OH-ME

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

Denny Altherr I think it's pronounced either way.

[@tenebrefanify]

Ur.welcome. call the.store.first.to make.sure. walmart always runs out. Just.tryn to save.you.a.trip.if.they dont have sum.in. let me know how.you make out

[@RealLifeSnowWhite]

Not even worth a FF. People always have to ruin shit by talking and or talking too much ^^^

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

???

[@KelleyBroussardMackaig]

As a child of the 80's I adored Mama's Family - I really took a liking to Iola's character especially - I remember thinking how neat it would have been to know her so that I could learn how to do all her arts and crafts! LOL

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

Ioal was quite the character, I don't think there had been anyone quite like her on T.V. before. She was the cross between the nosy/weird neighbor and best friend. Her creations made for some of the best visual gags on the series, she was the MacGyver of the arts and crafts world.

[@yooneeque1]

Iola's character changed a bit over the seasons. I didn't like her as much when she constantly lusted over Vint, as a foil to Naomi. I liked it better when she became more of an "Ethel" to Mama's "Lucy". They got into some funny scrapes together.

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

Iola pinning over Vint was funny, because it showed you just how clueless Vint is. It always was fun to watch her make a fool of herself doing as well. The last two seasons Iola and Thelma did have a Lucy and Ethel relationship, especially in the episode were they go to spy on Vint at his job at the key store.