January 22, 1983 - Mama's Family Premiered on NBC

[Pete]

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On this day, January 22, 1983, Mama’s Family premiered on NBC, bringing the hilarious and feisty Thelma Harper to living rooms across America. A spin-off of a popular sketch from The Carol Burnett Show, the sitcom followed the everyday antics of Mama, played by Vicki Lawrence, and her eccentric family in the fictional town of Raytown.

The show ran for six seasons and produced 130 episodes, delivering laughs with its mix of sharp humor and relatable family dynamics. Though it initially struggled on NBC, the series found new life in syndication, where it gained a loyal fan base.

Fun Fact:
Vicki Lawrence, who played Mama, was only in her 30s when the series began. Her transformation into the elderly and opinionated Thelma Harper was achieved with impressive makeup and costume work.

Trivia Question:
Which The Carol Burnett Show sketch introduced the character of Thelma Harper, who became the inspiration for Mama’s Family?