Shark Bytes

Is it possible to UJTS (UN-Jump the Shark)? If so, "Mama" UN-jumped when Bubba came to live in Raytown. Were there other people in that show? The only one I ever saw was Allan Kayser .. he was/is absolutely gorgeous. lol

Probably one of the all time most underrated sitcoms ever. 2nd season Birthday episode was a favorite; seeing Thelma evolve from a sweet young woman to the bitter Momma within one episode was astounding. The characters who played her children, particularly little Eunice, were incredibly spot-on perfect, as was Vicky's rendition of her cold, miserable Victorian mother. So interesting to see what made Momma become the character she ultimately portrayed; and her family's gift of the freezer was a touching ending.

I couldn't choose one era over the other, both the NBC and the syndicated years had episodes that were great, and others that were mediocre. But I actually went for Buzz over Bubba. It all has to do with personal preference, not everyone's into the hot type. I could except Vickie Lawrence as an elderly woman, that was spoof, but the show jumped twice for me when Sonya and Bubba, who were supposed to be teenagers, each started looking like they were 35 freakin' years old by the end of their respective episodes.

This show jumped from day one. Vicky Lawrence was a talented sketch artist on the Carol Burnett Show, but her character was not worthy of her own series.

remember Vint's daughter Sonya? well the main reason she became such a whiny bitty was because Vint never busted her ass whenever she needed it!

I love watching Mama's Family my favorite are the syndicated seasons from when Aunt Fran had passed away,only
before that season it could have been a
season in 1985 to where before she died, how they started the syndicated version in 1986 you know the episodes that did not have Beverly Archer as Iola the theme music could have only been that way for that just for that season.

Karla:

Naomi's house is explained in the first few episodes. After selling the house, Naomi had put her money into a trailer park in Arizona and she and Vint were supposed to move there immediately after their wedding - only to discover that she were conned out of all of her money.

Now...why Vint & Naomi have to spend the next 8 or so YEARS recouping that loss by living in Mama's basement is beyond me. And, they never really do "move out"...they just buy a crappy trailer and live in Mama's driveway by the end of the show!

I love Mama's Family since I grew up watching it with my grandparents. I agree it had many flaws over the years but it's kinda fun watching the reruns and picking them out. By the way - has anyone ever wondered why Naomi and Vint lived in the basement and couldn't afford a house when Naomi actually had her own house and lived next door in the first season? Why didn't they just move into her house in the first place? Guess it wouldn't have made it very interesting....

Allow me to clarify the final statement in my last post. I think that having Ed, Eunice, Ellen, and the rest on there in the first place unintentionally helped Mama's Family ease in the transition between Carol Burnett Show skit and full fledged, independent sitcom in its own right.

Mama's Family is one of my favorite shows of all time. I watched it as a tyke when it first aired, and have continued watching it in reruns ever since. In middle school, during the mid-90's, we used to quiz eachother on episodes at school every morning, and my Eunice impersonation was always a big hit amongst my friends (e.g. with crooked finger, "One of these days, old lady!"). If I really must associate any particular episode with jumping the shark, I would have to go with anything that ever tried to deliver a message. For example, that wretched Christmas episode about killing the goose with animal rights overtones, ended with a sickening vegetarian friendly feast. Gag me with a spoon.

However, there are other aspects of this show that people tend to complain about; one being Mama's lack of old age make-up. I think that Vicki Lawrence was just so convincing as Mama once she put on that wig and body suit that there was really no need for old age make-up at all. Special effects make-up would have made it LESS convincing if you ask me.

Another complaint people have is that Bubba Higgins was introduced as a delinquent at the beginning of syndication, but later grew into a fine young man with college ambitions. Personally, I feel that what the show was trying to convey is that through Mama's nurturing and care for her troubled grandson, he was finally able to achieve his fullest potential that his parents had obviously ignored.

Which brings us to Eunice and Ed Higgins, Ellen, Aunt Fran, et al getting the ax. Albeit, the changes made for syndication were drastic, I think it unintentionally helped Mama's Family ease in the transition between Carol Burnett Show skit and full fledged, independent sitcom in its own right.

Mama's Family NEVER jumped the shark- except for maybe the Hawaii episodes. But every sit com has its bad moments. Mama's family is TERRIBLY UNDERRATED!

Unlike some people, I actually prefer the NBC shows- to the syndies- they were closer to the CB sketches- more comical, theatrical, and camp. And Mama bein' fussy was just funnier. The syndicated shows did have their moments though. But they went from a character driven show, and became more plot driven, which made it a much more conventional sit com.

I still like the NBC episodes, but agree with those that say the show got waaaay better after it went into syndication. The only thing I like more about the NBC ones is that there were a lot more family members- not only did Thelma have to deal with Vint & Naomi under her roof, but two teens and her sister, Fran. Add her hilarious daughters, Ellen and Eunice, always dropping by and it was a very full house (and I think made the show live up to its title more). But the characters Iola & Bubba were so strong that they were huge improvements over Vint's kids and Fran, who all totally lacked interesting character traits and were thus boring. Whoever made that cast overhaul knew what the hell they were doing. The syndicated series' plots also got stronger, and even though it's true that the writers dumbed down Vint & Naomi, they became funnier because of it and that improved the show. I only wonder sometimes how things would've been if the whole cast had been on at the same time. Would've been real interesting to see the total opposites Bubba & Buzz interacting. Bubba would've stolen any girl or friends his cousin managed to get, lol. That type of tension should've made for good conflict.

Love the seasons in syndication with 2 exceptions that cause me to immediately change the channel and they are usually shown together.

The first one where Mama is thrown in jail for being at the homeless rally where we find Cousin Cora homeless. (Wait a minute! I thought Cousin Cora inherited Thelma's Uncle Oscar's boat rental business in a previous episode!!) Not to mention the fact Cousin Cora would likely be getting some Social Security at her age.

The second one where Church Ladies League President Lolly Purdue reveals, after all of these years (I think SOMEBODY would have figured it out long before), that she cannot read.

I don't tune into Mama's Family for stories steeped in sociopolitical lessons and thought provocation - that's what Norman Lear sitcoms are for! I tune into Mama's Family for fun, brainless entertainment.

These 2 episodes show up completely from left field and are not consistent with the overall genre of the series.

I always watched this show and love it to this day. I live about 25 miles from the actual Raytown, MO, and always think of the wacky but loveable characters when I pass it.

Though by no means perfect, I agree that overall Mama's Family is very underrated and folks that don't like the show have thrown the baby out with the bath water (sorry for the cliche-I don't know how else to describe it.)

Hell, this show is far better and funnier (even now in reruns 20 years later) than most of the dreck on TV now. "My Name is Earl" tries to be southern comedy but without any heart and nothing but one-dimentional trailer trash caricatures.

Long live Mama's Family in reruns!!