Vicki Lawrence wanted Mama to mellow out by season two - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 02-28-2024, 10:40 PM

https://www.metv.com/stories/vicki-l...-by-season-two

Originally, critics slammed the series by saying that Mama was too harsh.

TVLegend · 02-29-2024, 10:12 PM

Oh, I could tell. Watching the NBC episodes, you can see an obvious change in Mama between Seasons 1 and 2. Season 1 Mama is more cranky and cantankerous like she was in “The Family” sketches, while Season 2 Mama is more like she was in Season 3, minus the high pitched voice. It’s a shame the character was softened and altered multiple times throughout the series. I liked Season 2 Mama the best. By the time Seasons 5 and 6 rolled around, Mama devolved into some sassy, wisecracking, cartoonish “grandma”.

BestTVever · 03-01-2024, 07:31 AM

I don't think the NBC Mama is anything like the syndication years.
I don't see a huge difference between season 1 Mama and season 2 Mama. I think Seaon 2's Supermarket Mama is at her meanest. She's mocks Naomi, takes her job and insults customers. Its hilarious.
But I would agree the scripts in Season 2 were developed more to have Mama play a helping hand in the family compared to just being a critic.
I love the mean Mama but I realize its much harder building a sitcom around such a character. It was a balancing act. I remember watching the NBC shows in real time and being disappointed Mama was not as mean as on Carol Burnett.

Both seasons in the NBC years have episodes where Mama is positive energy: Double Standard, Positive Thinking from Season 1 and Aunt Gert Rides Again and Amateur Night in Season 2. And both seasons have Mama at her meanest: Season 1: Mama Gets a Job, Alien Marriage, Mama's Silver and Season 2: Supermarket, Ellen's Boyfriend, and The Mama who came to dinner.
If anything I would say both NBC seasons have a similar meaner Mama.
The syndication years Mama was not mean at all. She was the clever one and the anti-hero that saves the day in almost every episode.

02-28-2024, 10:40 PM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,771	Vicki Lawrence wanted Mama to mellow out by season two https://www.metv.com/stories/vicki-l...-by-season-two Originally, critics slammed the series by saying that Mama was too harsh.

02-29-2024, 10:12 PM	#2
TVLegend Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 06, 2020 Location: United States Posts: 4,306	Oh, I could tell. Watching the NBC episodes, you can see an obvious change in Mama between Seasons 1 and 2. Season 1 Mama is more cranky and cantankerous like she was in “The Family” sketches, while Season 2 Mama is more like she was in Season 3, minus the high pitched voice. It’s a shame the character was softened and altered multiple times throughout the series. I liked Season 2 Mama the best. By the time Seasons 5 and 6 rolled around, Mama devolved into some sassy, wisecracking, cartoonish “grandma”.

03-01-2024, 07:31 AM	#3
BestTVever Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2021 Location: Miami Posts: 1,878	I don't think the NBC Mama is anything like the syndication years. I don't see a huge difference between season 1 Mama and season 2 Mama. I think Seaon 2's Supermarket Mama is at her meanest. She's mocks Naomi, takes her job and insults customers. Its hilarious. But I would agree the scripts in Season 2 were developed more to have Mama play a helping hand in the family compared to just being a critic. I love the mean Mama but I realize its much harder building a sitcom around such a character. It was a balancing act. I remember watching the NBC shows in real time and being disappointed Mama was not as mean as on Carol Burnett. Both seasons in the NBC years have episodes where Mama is positive energy: Double Standard, Positive Thinking from Season 1 and Aunt Gert Rides Again and Amateur Night in Season 2. And both seasons have Mama at her meanest: Season 1: Mama Gets a Job, Alien Marriage, Mama's Silver and Season 2: Supermarket, Ellen's Boyfriend, and The Mama who came to dinner. If anything I would say both NBC seasons have a similar meaner Mama. The syndication years Mama was not mean at all. She was the clever one and the anti-hero that saves the day in almost every episode.