On the Carol Burnett show, Eunice was selfish and delusional regarding her non existent talent but she was bearable but on Mama's family she was mean, hateful and not someone you would want in your home.

Carol Burnett played her well in both instances and is a wonderful actress.

Eunice wasn't selfish in the "Family" sketches, she was actually sacrificing. Ellen was incredibly selfish and made Eunice look so vulnerable and put-upon and abused.

In the skits, I liked Eunice inspite of her delusions of being a singer its just on the show she seemed meaner to me. Carol Burnett played her very well.

With a mother like Thelma, how can you not be?

Yeah, I agree that Eunice was meaner and far more selfish here than in 'The Family' sketches. However; consider that this show was produced by Carol's ex who may not have shared his former wife's sympathy for the character.

In Mama's Family they had to make Mama look like the "good guy" as it were, so I guess that thought making Eunice more the villain would help with that.

Also Mama is much nicer on MF than in the Family Sketches.

On The CB Show it was the other way around, Thelma was a MONSTER who made Archie Bunker look sympathetic.

In Mama's Family they had to make Mama look like the "good guy" as it were, so I guess that thought making Eunice more the villain would help with that.

Also Mama is much nicer on MF than in the Family Sketches.

On The CB Show it was the other way around, Thelma was a MONSTER who made Archie Bunker look sympathetic.

Oh yeah, watching the CB Show after many years now, that show really had a cutting edge, some mighty fine and satirical humor, and quite a bit of subtle erotica, running all through it.

Eunice wasn't selfish in the "Family" sketches, she was actually sacrificing. Ellen was incredibly selfish and made Eunice look so vulnerable and put-upon and abused.
"Sacrificing" fits; also "long-suffering." And, on both shows, I got the impression that most of what drove Eunice's bad attitude was that in childhood, Thelma may have been borderline neglectful and emotionally abusive.

Carol Burnett was only on a handful of MF episodes, but she left an impression- my favorite is "Positive Thinking." Shen Mamma says she's going to go with her to the playhouse (or whatever), I cracked up at Eunice's obvious disgust-turned-"ooohhhhkkkaaaayyyyy" glee. :D

Of course Eunice was wackadoodles on Mama's Family. She was often an inch away from a breakdown, and who can blame her? Thelma can be a fun engaging pistol WHEN she likes you; but if she doesn't WATCH OUT- because you'll meet Queen Dragon Lady. And Thelma was not shy about expressing her disdain for Eunice; in her mind NOTHING Eunice ever did was right. Thelma was ruthless with her: always nipping at Eunice's heels. While Darling Ellen, who was as selfish as they come, could do no wrong. And Vinton was her helpless little baby, and Thelma does have a soft spot for them.

So, to sum up, I cut Eunice a lot of slack. She deserves a lot of credit for not hauling off a good one at Mommy-NOT-dearest.