From http://www.davisdvd.com/news/tv.html:

Mama's Family



Warner Home Video will release Mama's Family: The Complete First Season on September 26th. This two-disc will include all thirteen episodes from the debut season presented in fullscreen and Dolby Digital Stereo tracks. There don't seem to be any extras. Retail is $24.99.


Drat...No mention of the 1982 TV movie Eunice being included in this set, and it's only going to be season 1. :mad: It's still early, though, and September 26 is still three-plus months from now, so I"m sure things will change.

I can't wait for it to come to DVD on Sept. 26. I have to buy it.

This is good news. Hopefully as a potential extra, they should release the alledged 'lost' episodes. That will help boost sales to the roof.

:woohoo: This is definitely good news! I can't wait for September 26th!!!

I think they should release seasons 1 & 2 since they're the only seasons with Buzz, Sonya, Franny and Ellen. Also if they were to release season 2 along with season 1 we all could see if they'll inclued Gert Rides Again episode. Because 13 episodes isn't that much especially with no extra's.

This just made my day! Hopefully Eunice will be included, if not hopefully Gord over at TVSoD will contact Warner and ask them to include it.

I have been waiting to see this thread for a long time!

This is great news. Mama's Family is a truly integral part of our Television history, and it will be great to have the DVD.

It's hard to believe it's been over 20 years since the show started.

I really wish they could have written some scenes where Ellen and Eunice got along.

It really bothered me how they picked on Eunice.

I cannot wait for Sept. 26th I'll be countin' down the days

Why hasn't TV Shows on DVD said anything about the release yet?

Why hasn't TV Shows on DVD said anything about the release yet?

I just got the email from them. Here's (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=5883) the link plus the cover art! It looks good.

gigidy gigidy goo heh heh alright:dance: :ufo: :thumbsup: :yourock: :thanks: party: :banana: :rock:

I just got the email from them. Here's (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=5883) the link plus the cover art! It looks good.
I agree, very nice indeed, almost surprisingly good! I'm glad they stuck with the original font. I hate it when companies toy with the small things they think no one will notice.
The picture of the family with the sampler in the background is an awesome choice. :)

I just wonder if they'll have the original openings. The topic Mister Ed made not too longer ago detailing the original opening and commercial were very interesting, never seen it before.

If it ends up being barebones I'll be sad, but will still buy.

Oh, I'm sure the original openings will be in there. :)

TSOD had to wait until WB's studio officially announced the set as coming out, so that's why we didn't hear anything from them between the time I posted this thread til just now.

I definitely don't think they'll be including Eunice (75-90ish minutes) in this set. If I multiply the number of episodes from that season (13) by the amount of minutes that was the norm for 1980s sitcoms at the time (24-25 minutes), I get 312 - 325 minutes, so it is VERY safe to say that the episodes will very much be uncut. :) I just don't know where the extra 13 - 26 minutes are coming from. ;) :lol:

EDIT: 338 minutes makes sense if you multiply 13 episodes by 26 minutes, because that gives you a runtime of 338 minutes. :cool:

Season 1 artwork is shown at www.tvshowsondvd.com

to quote Mama: "HOT DAMN!" anyway. This is great news! It would have been nice if they'd done season 1 and 2 together or included Eunice but I'm not complaining. Just to get it at all is wonderful! Those Harper days are here again...

what do u think of it? I would have preferred getting both NBC seasons together..dunno if just season 1 by itself will really sell that well??!! Glad it's coming out tho since I haven't seen it in a year & a half!:lol:

Where oh where are the bonus features? No Eunice? No commentaries from Vicki?

I'll buy it from Amazon.They have a page up but not with the release date or the cover up yet.Hopefully Gert Rides Again will be added.:)

I have a question. Where is the picture on the cover taken? It is not Mama's house. I think it is a set from the Carol Burnett Show. Anyone know for sure??

I'll buy it from Amazon.They have a page up but not with the release date or the cover up yet.Hopefully Gert Rides Again will be added.:)
The Gert Rides Again episode won't be in this set. Why? It didn't air during the first season -- it aired during the second season. I believe GRA aired in December of 1983. The first season (The one coming to DVD) covers the episodes that aired between January of 1983 to May of 1983.

I just checked -- the exact airdate for GRA was December 1, 1983. Anyway, I'm sure GRA will be on DVD, it just won't be part of the first-season set, since it didn't air until the second season.

I have a question. Where is the picture on the cover taken? It is not Mama's house. I think it is a set from the Carol Burnett Show. Anyone know for sure??

I've seen enough MF pictures to know that the original picture is from a cast picture on a solid background. They took out the solid background and placed the cast picture on a different background. I'm going to try to see if I can find that picture, but no guarantees. I bet the picture was originally a B&W print, because I sure as heck don't remember seeing Naomi wear black, except in the episode where Aunt Fran died. :lol:

because I sure as heck don't remember seeing Naomi wear black, except in the episode where Aunt Fran died. :lol:


Good catch I didn't even notice she was in black.

OK - I had to break out my CDs and look, but I found the original picture. And apparently Naomi IS also wearing black!! I never noticed, and I have had that picture saved to CD since 2003. :eek: :lol: Mama's face was OBVIOUSLY altered, because she is NOT wearing a hat and she is ACTUALLY smiling in that picture.

Compare the two:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/attachment.php?attachmentid=111605&stc=1&d=1150826893

I can't wait to get this!

Yeah I have the original picture---an actual picture, lol---and there is indeed no background.

FINALLY it's comin' to DVD! :D I'm a little surprised they didn't package seasons 1 and 2 together a la "The Facts of Life", and yes, I'm surprised no extras are mentioned, but this is the earliest confirmation---extras could still show up (we hope!).

I'm also so surprised at the font...it's not the familiar orange of the letters. Instead we get purple letters in a green outline. This is ironic since green and purple are my two favorite respective colors, I just find it odd they didn't stick with the original orange.

Man, I'd love to tell Vicki how thrilled we are to have this news! :D (and to offer myself for fan commentary as one of MF's BIGGEST fans out there!!)

I bet the picture was originally a B&W print, because I sure as heck don't remember seeing Naomi wear black, except in the episode where Aunt Fran died.

Well she wore her "black funeral dress" in the episode of Uncle Oscar's funeral too, but she also wore an off-the-shoulder dress with a black top and colored bottom in the episode where she sleeps with Vinton for the first time. ;)

It's about time this show goes on DVD. I am so excited. :)

:eek: :eek: :eek: I'm totally shocked to hear this, it's good news though. Last I heard it was still being voted on at tvshowsondvd.com.

Yeah I have the original picture---an actual picture, lol---and there is indeed no background.

FINALLY it's comin' to DVD! :D I'm a little surprised they didn't package seasons 1 and 2 together a la "The Facts of Life", and yes, I'm surprised no extras are mentioned, but this is the earliest confirmation---extras could still show up (we hope!).

I'm also so surprised at the font...it's not the familiar orange of the letters. Instead we get purple letters in a green outline. This is ironic since green and purple are my two favorite respective colors, I just find it odd they didn't stick with the original orange.

Man, I'd love to tell Vicki how thrilled we are to have this news! :D (and to offer myself for fan commentary as one of MF's BIGGEST fans out there!!)

That same picture I posted above can be purchased via Ken Berry's website. I found it here (http://www.millerspecialties.com/cgi-bin/ccp51/cp-app.cgi?usr=51F1146763&rnd=3527912&rrc=N&affl=&cip=&act=&aff=&pg=prod&ref=KB03&cat=Ken+Berry&catstr=HOME:Ken+Berry). :)

Purple & green are my fave colors as well! In fact, the shades they picked out are my fave shades. :) It's almost as if WB read my mind. :lol:

On the episode for Better Or Worse Naomi is wearing a black dress.:)

I can't wait! I'll be buying that when it comes out. :D

This is such exciting news, I've already exclaimed to everyone I know that "Mama's comin'"! They think I'm crazy.

A 2-season set would have been ideal, but maybe Warner wants to "test the market" here. I will just be happy if there are no music clearance issues with this series. Season 1 doesn't have many musical moments (Hard Hearted Hannah and O Promise Me come to mind) but I will be crushed if either one is excised or edited in any way. (Same goes for that season 2 interpolation of On the Road Again.)

I have a question. Where is the picture on the cover taken? It is not Mama's house. I think it is a set from the Carol Burnett Show. Anyone know for sure??

I'm not sure but I think the background for the S1 cover art is from the CBS special "Eunice". Here's 2 pictures I found. I think these are taken on the set of "Eunice". Notice the backgrounds...
http://www.kenberry.com/images/keneunice.jpg
http://www.themoviestarpage.com/25CMF.jpg

TSOD just added a release page for Mama's Family (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/releaseinfo.cfm?ReleaseID=5946), and the runtime listed there is still 338 minutes (26 minutes/episode) so it looks like this set is going to be UNedited. Pretty safe to say Harvey Korman's intro before the opening credits will be included. :) But remember, this is not set in stone yet. I am merely spectulating.

I certainly hope so! I've never seen that opening before, and the episodes on TBS only run about 20-21 minutes, so it'll be interesting to see that extra 5 minutes,what got cut etc.
Can't wait!!!:D

Come on, Mama, smile! You're coming to DVD. :lol:

That's great news, I will definitely buy it when it comes out. :cool:

Does anyone know if the back art for the first season DVD has been posted up anywhere?

I love this show and I will be buying it!

I certainly hope so! I've never seen that opening before, and the episodes on TBS only run about 20-21 minutes, so it'll be interesting to see that extra 5 minutes,what got cut etc.
Can't wait!!!:D
I agree with u, It will be so exciting to see what we have been missing for so many moons... Mamas Family is just an awesome show.. I love the synd Eppys too cause of Bubba and Iola.....

We at SitcomsOnline.com just got a copy and expect a review in the coming days, but I'm sad to report that each episode runs approx. 21:30.

We at SitcomsOnline.com just got a copy and expect a review in the coming days, but I'm sad to report that each episode runs approx. 21:30.

I wonder if that'll dampen PZelda's enthusiasm. She's been waiting for this for years.

I thought Warner had a better reputation as far as their dvd releases were concerned, but it seems like they've been getting sloppy lately.

This cannot stand. Did they learn nothing at all from the debacles with The Cosby Show, Roseanne, ALF, and so many other series on DVD?

I was going to buy this release but not now. I am writing a letter saying why I will not buy this or any other Warner TV DVDs unless:

1. They recall the disc and re-issue it unedited.
2. Do not screw up future releases.

Here's where to write and call:

DVD Department
Warner Home Video
4000 Warner Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91522-1543
Telephone: 818-954-6000
Fax: 818-954-6480

I would love to know that I'm not the only one who will be doing so.

I don't know about PZelda, but my enthusiasm is certainly gone. I'm not going to buy something that I already have. The point was to see the extra 3-4 minutes of footage some of us haven't seen at all, and others since 1983. If they can't bother to put the episodes on there intact, then I can't be bothered to buy them. You screwed up big time on this one WarnerBros.

What I think happened is that Warner was too lazy to find the NBC masters because the show ran for the most part in first-run syndication, and 21:30 is fine for that, but for NBC's airings, that is missing about 3-4 min.

Also, you can go to any site that has DVD reviews, post a review for the show and emphasize the cuts. Give it the lowest rating possible (for the disc, not the show, of course). And don't forget to write and call; they ignore emails. And for goodness' sake be nice to them.

By the way, uncut tapes that are good enough for DVD release most likely do exist. Warner didn't produce the show; it was an independent production, and Lorimar-Telepictures syndicated it; Warner bought L-T in 1990. The independent producer was Joe Hamilton, Carol Burnett's husband until they divorced in 1984. He died in 1991, I can find no evidence that he remarried, thus I don't know whether he kept the original tapes himself or delivered them to Lorimar in 1986 (NBC had 4 themselves; 2 East Coast and 2 West Coast [1 for the main feed, and 1 for backup], which were returned on the show's cancellation).

After his death I have no idea about copyrights or masters. But videotapes for a show less than 25 years old can't be in too bad a shape unless they were stored in a damp basement; the original tapes to the Judy Garland Show and Laugh-In still survive, not to mention the Norman Lear library, the old Carol Burnett Show (Ms. Burnett herself owns these), and the game shows and soap operas which escaped destruction before networks and producers realized what they had. These are all on tape.

And there's always the Library of Congress, who has the copyright deposit tapes on 3/4" U-Matic format. If you have telnet, go to locis.loc.gov and do a search for the show. It is a great resource for all copyrights from 1978 to the present.

I'm still going to buy the DVD, but I'm disappointed! :(

I will still also buy it. Warner really screwed up thise release. Syndicated cuts, no bonus features. :rolleyes:

I am NOT buying the MF DVD, then. Why should I, when I ALREADY have the same edited episodes on tape from 2003? I already have 'em transferred to DVD, so whatever.

It's true that I've been waiting for a release for years. I had a feeling right from the start that the episodes were going to be edited when I saw TSOD listing the runtime as 336 mins (like 26 min/episode), but everywhere else was listing the runtime as 278 minutes (~21 min/episode). Screw that, I don't need to waste my money on edited episodes. MF is no exception; I've done that with all the other edited TV show sets.

To be frank, this whole thing has been a huge disappointment. They couldn't even be bothered to include the PILOT movie as part of the set, and the movie is really popular... Ugh.

Well, I am upset the release will be edited.:( I was really looking forward to this release. I will probably still buy it because I dont get it here in my area. It still blows that the first season is edited. Why must they call it a complete season if it is edited.:mad:

If you can't live without it, then buy it used. Don't let Warners get your money. And send those letters, tell them you want it uncut, and you want to be able to get a replacement for the cut discs.

Because of the edited episodes, this release has been crossed off my purchase list - just like Season 1 of "Roseanne." I received Season 1 of "3rd Rock From the Sun" as a birthday present, otherwise that would not be in my collection. Season 2 of "3rd Rock" is syndicated episodes also and so I don't plan to buy that either.

I hope Gord Lacey from TVSOD.com asks Warner about these cuts. He has in the past with Roseanne, 3rd Rock, etc.

Wow, this is so upsetting. I want to cancel my pre-order but it's too late now. I guess I'll have to return it. What a rip-off.

Very disappointing, indeed. There is SO much that could have been done. Well, at least the cover art rocks. See, I can still say one positive thing! :) Usually companies do bizarre things with the fonts and what not.

I, like PZelda, have all the episodes recorded so I really am not enticed to jump and buy. Nothing new to offer, so why buy? Perhaps if there is some deal going on where I could get it for around $10.

Very disappointing, indeed. I will not be buying it if that is the case.

Warner didn't produce the show; it was an independent production, and Lorimar-Telepictures syndicated it; Warner bought L-T in 1990.

Actually, I believe that Lorimar-Telepictures was bought by Warner Communications in 1988...

Plus, I believe that the Lorimar Television "Marble" logo appeared first on "Mama's Family" during the 1988-1989 TV season. :D

God, that really sucks that they are edited!:mad:
I too was looking forward to getting them. You think that if we all buy them, and return them, Warner Bros. will get more of a message than if we just don't buy? Of course, there is always the letter writing campaign, which we should all be doing.

Makes me wonder if they are just releasing it like this now, and then later on will release a version with lots of extras, and uncut, so they can rake in more dough.

Here's where to write and call:

DVD Department
Warner Home Video
4000 Warner Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91522-1543
Telephone: 818-954-6000
Fax: 818-954-6480

I would love to know that I'm not the only one who will be doing so.

I will definitely be writing as well, and possibly calling. Thank you for the info.

I was just getting ready to order Mama's Family - The Complete First Season on DVD from amazon.com, but after reading the reviews about Mama's Family - The Complete First Season being released in syndication I said no way am I going to purchase this. It seems like this whole time that all of us have been waiting for this release was just a waste of time. Haven't studios learned their lesson by now that we do not want syndicated episodes of any TV show on DVD? The same thing happened to ALF - Seasons 1 - 4, Roseanne - Season 1, The Cosby Show - Season 1, etc. It's really a shame.

So wait.... what are u all saying? Has anyone gotten the DVD yet? I wanted to get it today but will have to wait until the weekend... are there any extras? Please let me know? Im so curious!

I got it yesterday. There are no extras, but I'm so far satisfied with my copy (I've watched only 2 episodes). It's great seeing it with no commercials, and without the "squashed" credits. It would be nice if it was uncut, but I don't really care about that right now. I'm just glad it's on DVD!

I ordered it & will be keeping it. Yes I am dissapointed that they are not the uncut versions but I am use to seeing the syndication episodes so really doesnt matter all too much to me. I have none of these shows on tape, that is why I bought this DVD. As far as extras goes, I really dont get into that stuff. I will be very happy once I have it in my hands. :)

Gord Lacey of tvshowsondvd.com is looking into the matter.

Meanwhile, someone who called to complain shared this number (the Warner Bros. representative who handled his call) on Home Theater Forum:

Beverly Bogart
1-818-977-6428

I got it yesterday. There are no extras, but I'm so far satisfied with my copy (I've watched only 2 episodes). It's great seeing it with no commercials, and without the "squashed" credits. It would be nice if it was uncut, but I don't really care about that right now. I'm just glad it's on DVD!
I taped all my MF episodes off TBS, back in 2003. So, everything is intact, as far as syndicated cuts go- I have unsquashed closing credits on tape, too.

I got my DVD today. I am happy with it. However the music that plays when you go to the menu sucks so bad IMO. They should have put the shows theme music on the menu. I am surprised they didnt do that. Overall tho I am happy with it. :) I hope they have season 2 coming out down the road. :)

Hasn't the show ALWAYS been in syndication? I didn't know it ever aired on a network.

Yes Mama's Family has been Syndication on many local Station's and TBSand now it's on The I Network.

Hasn't the show ALWAYS been in syndication? I didn't know it ever aired on a network.
The first two seasons was on NBC and then it started up again on syndication a few years later.

I got my DVD today. I am happy with it. However the music that plays when you go to the menu sucks so bad IMO. They should have put the shows theme music on the menu. I am surprised they didnt do that. Overall tho I am happy with it. :) I hope they have season 2 coming out down the road. :)
I agree, especially about the menu music.

Chalk up another fan who will not be buying the DVD release because of this.

Hasn't the show ALWAYS been in syndication? I didn't know it ever aired on a network.
Mama's Family was on NBC for two seasons.

Originally, MF was going to debut as a full-season show in the fall of 1982. But, they ran into some disagreements along the way and had to put off premiering the series that fall. MF debuted as a mid-season replacement on NBC in January of 1983. Their first season ended in May of 1983, and returned for a full second season in September of 1983, continuing until April of 1984.

It was at that time that NBC cancelled the series, and that was the end of MF (on NBC). Or, so they thought. I can't remember what the full story on MF returning to syndication is, but I know that at some point some people from Lorimar Television saw the NBC episodes and they somehow saw potential. That was in the early part of 1986... Basically, it was something like, "Hey, we're interested in reviving Mama's Family again as a first-run syndicated series. We'd like Mama, Vint and Naomi to come back, along with some new people." So they assembled a new cast, and Lorimar put MF back on TV, this time in first-run syndication, in June of 1986. I know MF did very well during this time... MF ran until March of 1990.

Does that help clear things up a little?