Mama Thelma Crowley Harper played by the under-rated Vicki Lawrence is one of television's most memorable characters. She is ideal grandmother and widow living with her old maid sister, Frances Crowley, played by the wonderful Rue McClanahan before Golden Girls. Betty White appears regularly in the first two seasons as Ellen Harper Jackson, Mama's firstborn snobbish daughter. Of course, there is the middle child played by the unforgettable Carol Burnett as Eunice Harper Higgins. Her youngest son is played by Ken Berry who is Vinton Harper, a divorcée with two teenage children, Buzz and Sonja played by Eric Brown and Karin Argoud. This episode marks Vinton and his kids moving into Mama's house after their home was put for auction after a bad investment regarding chinchillas with his buddy Claude Harper. The show may not have had the best writers but the cast make it worth while. I can't forget Harvey Korman who plays Eunice's husband, Ed Higgins. Then there is the neighbor, Naomi Oates, played by Dorothy Lyman. The show was never meant to be upscale but I remember it so well because it was the first time that I actually saw a family that wasn't perfect or aiming to be.
4 Reviews
A busy and very-funny first-episode of a great tv-series !
ronnybee211230 March 2023
This was a hectic and busy begining/first episode of a tv show based on a series of skits from "the Carol Burnett show". This premiere episode throws quite a bit of material out there,all at once,for the viewer to try to keep-track of,digest and understand.
We are introduced to a delightfully wacky family comprised of nutty,quirky characters that are involved in all sorts of inter-twining problems and misadventures.
The poor widowed Mama character is the harried homeowner and de-facto head-of-household. She is saddled with problem family-members who cannot make it on their-own for very-long without returning to live with Mama 'until they get back on their feet'. It is implied that Mama's household pretty-much has a 'revolving-door' on it when it comes to relatives and family-members moving in and out continuously over the years.
This episode sets-the stage and introduces all of the main characters and family-dynamics for all of the future episodes to come.
I think this episode was very-funny and worthwhile. I really liked it and as long as you aren't an old sourpuss you probably will like it too. Check it out and let us know what YOU think about it!🌞
We are introduced to a delightfully wacky family comprised of nutty,quirky characters that are involved in all sorts of inter-twining problems and misadventures.
The poor widowed Mama character is the harried homeowner and de-facto head-of-household. She is saddled with problem family-members who cannot make it on their-own for very-long without returning to live with Mama 'until they get back on their feet'. It is implied that Mama's household pretty-much has a 'revolving-door' on it when it comes to relatives and family-members moving in and out continuously over the years.
This episode sets-the stage and introduces all of the main characters and family-dynamics for all of the future episodes to come.
I think this episode was very-funny and worthwhile. I really liked it and as long as you aren't an old sourpuss you probably will like it too. Check it out and let us know what YOU think about it!🌞
I'll skip to season 3
vitoscotti29 March 2021
Not very great for a first episode
IcyRoses27 June 2010
The best was yet to come for Mama's Family is all I can say for the first 2 seasons. The program was somewhat out of wack, with unnecessary characters and unfunny plot lines.
The first episode shows that Thelma Harper's spinster sister Fran has been living with her for awhile. Soon, it becomes obvious that her son Vint is going to move in with his two children, because they have lost their home from having no money. Also, Naomi, the next door neighbor shows up to talk with Vint about old times. AND, Betty White makes a surprise visit as Ellen, Thelma's daughter, to help her clean out a messy room.
Yeah, the first episode is nothing to scream about, but Vicki Lawrence is great in the first episode, perfectly establishing her character for the best is yet to come.
The first episode shows that Thelma Harper's spinster sister Fran has been living with her for awhile. Soon, it becomes obvious that her son Vint is going to move in with his two children, because they have lost their home from having no money. Also, Naomi, the next door neighbor shows up to talk with Vint about old times. AND, Betty White makes a surprise visit as Ellen, Thelma's daughter, to help her clean out a messy room.
Yeah, the first episode is nothing to scream about, but Vicki Lawrence is great in the first episode, perfectly establishing her character for the best is yet to come.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
