“Mama’s Family” was one of the more delightful comedy series in syndication back in the mid-to-late 80’s. And watching them today, the episodes are just as fun now as they were back in 1986-1987. If you are a fan of the series, “Mama’s Family: The Complete Third Season” is a comedy series worth recommending!
© 1986 & 1987, Joe Hamilton Productions. All Rights Reserved.
DVD TITLE: Mama’s Family: The Complete Third Season
DATE OF FILM RELEASE: 1986-1987
DURATION: 608 Minutes
DVD INFORMATION: Color
COMPANY: StarVista Entertainment
RATED: Not Rated
RELEASE DATE: February 25, 2014
Directed by Dave Powers, Roger Beatty, Harvey Korman, Dick Martin
Written by Jim Evering, Rick Hawkins, Dorothy Van, Gene Perret
Producer: Dick Clair, Jenna McMahon, Dave Powers
Executive Producer: Joe Hamilton
Co-Producer: Neil Lebowitz, Roger Beatty
Co-Executive Producer: Jim Evering, Rick Hawkins
Music by Peter Matz
Edited by Patrick Williams, Robert Bernstein
Edited by Nick Fenton
Casting by Rhonda Young
Art Direction by Paul Barnes, Paul Roberts
Set Direction by Bill Harp
Costume Design by Ret Turner
Starring:
Vicki Lawrence as Thelma “Mama” Crowley Harper
Ken Berry as Vinton Harper
Dorothy Lyman as Naomi Oates Harper
Allan Kayser as Bubba Higgins
Beverly Archer as Iola Lucille Boylen
Betty White as Ellen Harper Jackson
In the world of prime-time television, success often begets success by way of the spin-off. The Carol Burnett Show lasted eleven seasons on CBS, thanks in part to the recurring comedy sketches that attracted a large, loyal viewership. “The Family” remained a favorite because fans related to the Harpers’ constant squabbling about mundane stuff. As the irascible Mama Harper, Vicki Lawrence was wondrously transformed into a full-tilt senior citizen, and it wasn’t a matter of it, but when, she would get her own TV series.
Big changes are afoot in the Harper household as “Mama’s Family” switches from NBC to syndication. Vint’s kids Buzz and Sonja are gone, replaced by Bubba Higgins (Allan Kaser), the son of Eunice and Ed. Bubba arrives fresh from a stint in juvenile hall, learning of his parents’ move to Florida only after he settles in at Mama’s place.
For long time viewers of “The Carol Burnett Show”, among the popular sketches was “Mama’s Family” featuring Vicki Lawrence as Thelma Harper (Mama).
From the first skit in 1974 through the last skit in 1979, a series would be given the greenlight in 1983 on NBC.
While the series was on NBC for two seasons, the TV series never had solid footing as it was rescheduled for different time slots and was canceled in 1984.
After two years later, “Mama’s Family” would find its place in first-run syndication in 1986 with a major cast change. While Mama, Vinton and Naomi from the first two seasons would make their return, Rue McClanahan who played Aunt Fran and was on “The Golden Girls” was killed off from the series, while Vinton’s children, Buzz (portrayed by Eric Brown) and Sonja (portrayed by Karin Argoud) were said to have moved out of the house and living somewhere in America.
Allan Kayser was brought in to play the character of Buzz, a young juvenile delinquent (and the troubled son of Ed and Eunice, often referred in the comedy sketches on “The Carol Burnett Show”) who is trying to have a second chance at life. And the other talent was Beverly Archer who would play the prissy Iola Boylan, a friend of Mama and a woman who grew up with Vinton.
And the third season with a few changes to the show would go on to become the highest rated first-run program in syndication and would last for four more years through 1990.
And now “Mama’s Family: The Complete Third Season” will be released on DVD courtesy of StarVista Entertainment in Feb. 2014.
Here is a spoiler-free synopsis of the episodes included on four DVD’s:
- EPISODE 36 – Eunice’s son Bubba moves into Mama’s home.
- EPISODE 37 – Fran leaves will after her death but there are strict rules that must be followed in order for Thelma and the others to get the money.
- EPISODE 38 – Ellen stops by after missing Aunt Fran’s funeral.
- EPISODE 39 – Mama’s dreams are leading to horse racing winning.
- EPISODE 40 – Mama, Iola and Naomi compete in a chili cook-iff.
- EPISODE 41 – What happens when Vinton and Naomi are having problems in the bedroom.
- EPISODE 42 – Iola is distraught after the death of her cat.
- EPISODE 43 – What happens when Bubba helps Vinton write a love letter to Naomi.
- EPISODE 44 – What will happen during Thanksgiving?
- EPISODE 45 – Iola loses her pearls and blames Bubba. But did Bubba steal them?
- EPISODE 46 – Mama wants to make a bid to become President of the Church Ladies’ League.
- EPISODE 47 – Naomi wants to become a flight attendant.
- EPISODE 48 – Will Mama celebrate the holidays?
- EPISODE 49 – Mama and Naomi try to find a date for Iola.
- EPISODE 50 – What happens when Mama finds an adult magazine under Bubba’s bed?
- EPISODE 51 – Mama tries to raise money for a trip to Hawaii.
- EPISODE 52 – What happens when Vinton thinks he is adopted?
- EPISODE 53 – Mama has been entered in Grandma USA.
- EPISODE 54 – Vinton’s former Army Sgt. comes for a visit.
- EPISODE 55 – Mama’s cousin comes to visit.
- EPISODE 56 – Mama competes in an arm-wrestling competition.
- EPISODE 57 – Naomi tries to set up her best friend who is recently divorced with Bubba for a double date.
- EPISODE 58 – Vinton is invited to join the Mystical Order of the Cobra.
- EPISODE 59 – When Vinton announces that Naomi is the sole beneficiary of his life insurance policy, Iola and Grandma think something is going on…
- EPISODE 60 – After Aunt Effie falls off the roof of her house, Mama brings her to the house.
VIDEO & AUDIO:
“Mama’s Family” is presented in 4:3 and stereo. Picture quality for the most part is good considering the season three episodes are nearly 30-years-old. There is no major damage to the print nor excessive aging. There is a bit of softness but for the most part, this is possibly the best we will ever see of these episodes unless they are released in HD in the future. Dialogue is clear and understandable.
But I detected no visible damage or aging of the series nor any problems with audio.
Subtitles are not included.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“Mama’s Family: The Complete Third Season (” features the following special features:
- Family History: A Classic “Family” Sketch from “The Carol Burnett Show” featuring Maggie Smith (Show #909, November 15, 1975) – (14:46) Eunice, Ted and Mama visit Bubba’s teacher and find out how he’s a troubled student/child.
- Featurette: Mama’s Family Tree: The Sprouts (All About Bubba) – (11:04) Rick Hawkins (Exec. Producer/Head Writer) talks about bringing the character of Bubba in to “Mama’s Family” for season three and discussion of Jim Evering (Exec. Producer/Writer) and Vicki Lawrence of Eunice and her son.
- Mama Knows Best: A Mama’s Family Cast Reunion – (24:43) Vicki Lawrence, Ken Berry, Dorothy Lyman, Beverly Archer and Allan Kayser reunite.
- Interview: Allan Kayser – (13:15) Allan Kayser talks about how he got cast as Bubba.
During my childhood, there are a few television series that are close to my heart.
For one, “The Carol Burnett Show” was family time with me, my parents and my younger brother and then when I was in high school, “Mama’s Family” was part of my childhood as it was one of my grandmother’s favorite shows to watch in the afternoon but also for myself, a comedy series that I simply enjoyed!
Having been familiar with the “Mama’s Family” skits on “The Carol Burnett Show”, I watched many of the episodes when they first aired on television and followed it into syndication.
Granted, I was not able to catch every episode, so the fact they are being released on DVD courtesy of StarVista Entertainment is very cool but also to see how things have changed from the first two seasons that were aired on NBC and to see the change in direction the series went for season three.
I felt that the changes made to the series was well-planned and it worked in ensuring very solid ratings for the TV series in syndication.  The series still emphasized family but now you had the Eunice connection which the series was missing through the introduction of Bubba. You had a chance with Vinton and Naomi as the two were more dimwitted than in previous seasons and you had a fascinating character with Iola.
But for the most part, the series maintained its delightful comedy thanks to Vicki Lawrence’s portrayal of Mama, the stories were a lot of fun and the writing was very good for a syndicated comedy series at the time (considering the other first-run comedy alternatives during the mid-to-late 80’s were “Small Wonder”, “Charles in Charge”, “Silver Spoon” and “Punky Brewster”).
And for those who were entertained by “Mama’s Family” can relive these fun episodes from season three all on DVD. Plus fans of the series will no doubt enjoy the season three cast reunion and special features which include a “Mama’s Family” sketch from “The Carol Burnett Show” from 1975 which revolves around Bubba, plus featurettes on Allan Kayser and his character of playing Bubba and how he was cast for the role.
Overall, “Mama’s Family” was one of the more delightful comedy series in syndication back in the mid-to-late 80’s. And watching them today, the episodes are just as fun now as they were back in 1986-1987.
If you are a fan of the series, “Mama’s Family: The Complete Third Season” is a comedy series worth recommending!
