Warner Brothers

Mama's Family became a kinder show when it moved into syndication

By: Catchy Comedy Staff Posted: March 11, 2025, 10:50AM

On The Carol Burnett Show, Thelma Harper was a caricature of a person. Sure, she was entertaining and comical, all qualities undoubtedly desired in a variety series. However, viewers laughed at Harper because of her outrageousness, not because she was relatable.

But once Mama's Family moved from a skit to a full-time television series, Thelma Harper began the journey to becoming a full-fledged human being.

During an interview with The Times, series writer and producer Rick Hawkins said that the series went through a variety of changes when it moved into syndication.

"On the NBC series, we had the family members really being hateful to each other. I think the changes there have made it a better show. Mama began as a supporting character in the Burnett skits. When the sitcom came along, it was a wonderful opportunity to flesh her out and make her more human. Before, she was just nastiness, not unlike Estelle Getty's role on Golden Girls. Now we give her more little passions, likes, and vulnerabilities."

Despite the changes Thelma went through, the actor portraying her remained the same: Vicki Lawrence. One thing that Hawkins said remained consistent was Lawrence's acting talent.

"I can't say enough about Vicki Lawrence," said Hawkins. "I am more amazed by her every single day. You simply forget she is a 33-year-old actress playing a 65-year-old woman. Her Thelma is vital, intelligent, competent and, I think, a positive role model. Thelma still swears too much, is sulky, and loses her temper, but those are counterbalanced by other qualities."