VERY RARE clip from the 1986 pilot Eunice - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TheLittleFaerie · 05-11-2025, 12:07 PM

Has anyone ever heard of this? Apparently in 1986, about the time Mama's Family was being picked up for syndication, Carol also attempted to do a solo Eunice sitcom, focusing on her dealing with the antics of her teenage son Tyler.

Apparently they shot the pilot, here is a clip

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_gamdKvipC/

CJMD03 · 06-04-2026, 06:26 PM

NEVER would have worked.

BestTVever · 06-07-2026, 05:51 AM

Wow what a rare find. Thanks for posting. Is the son the actor from Little House?
Its funny the son comes in and talks about the debating team because doesn't Buzz come into the kitchen bragging to Mama he made the debating team and Eunice is there. Wonder if this show used the same writers. This was about the time Carol and Vicki had their feud.

TheLittleFaerie · 06-08-2026, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BestTVever

Wow what a rare find. Thanks for posting. Is the son the actor from Little House?
Its funny the son comes in and talks about the debating team because doesn't Buzz come into the kitchen bragging to Mama he made the debating team and Eunice is there. Wonder if this show used the same writers. This was about the time Carol and Vicki had their feud.

So, from what I understand, this show was TOTALLY separate from Mama's Family, taking place in an entirely different universe. I'm not sure that Thelma Harper or Raytown even EXIST in this show's reality. I heard it was to be a completely seperate piece of work.

BestTVever · 06-09-2026, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheLittleFaerie

So, from what I understand, this show was TOTALLY separate from Mama's Family, taking place in an entirely different universe. I'm not sure that Thelma Harper or Raytown even EXIST in this show's reality. I heard it was to be a completely seperate piece of work.

But is it not funny or ironic that the boy in the kitchen tells Eunice he made the debating team just like in the Mama's family "positive thinking" episode?
Could be a coincidence but could be a small thread that combined the shows maybe with writers.

TheLittleFaerie · 06-09-2026, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BestTVever

But is it not funny or ironic that the boy in the kitchen tells Eunice he made the debating team just like in the Mama's family "positive thinking" episode?
Could be a coincidence but could be a small thread that combined the shows maybe with writers.

Yes it is interesting FOR SURE! I wish this show had had a GO! Maybe the whole episode will be released one day!

CJMD03 · 06-16-2026, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheLittleFaerie

So, from what I understand, this show was TOTALLY separate from Mama's Family, taking place in an entirely different universe. I'm not sure that Thelma Harper or Raytown even EXIST in this show's reality. I heard it was to be a completely seperate piece of work.

Reading this, it def wouldn’t have worked! Mama and Raytown were the whole reasons why Eunice was the way she is!

TheLittleFaerie · 06-17-2026, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJMD03

Reading this, it def wouldn’t have worked! Mama and Raytown were the whole reasons why Eunice was the way she is!

I agree, but I heard this was supposed to be an entirely separate piece of work, with Eunice in a completely different setting of events. I dunno what the story of her mother would have been or if the guy in the vid is even supposed to be Ed or a completely different character

CJMD03 · 06-17-2026, 07:34 AM

What it says on the Net.

“The never-aired pilot is distinct from the dramatic 1982 Eunice television movie. The 1986 Disney version featured:Carol Burnett as Eunice Harper Higgins.Patrick Labyorteaux (from Little House on the Prairie) cast as Eunice's son, Tyler.The unaired footage was largely kept under wraps and was not mentioned in Burnett's books or interviews before being unearthed and shared online by Labyorteaux.”

God, I’m glad it never became a series.

05-11-2025, 12:07 PM	#1
TheLittleFaerie Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 15, 2017 Posts: 1,949	VERY RARE clip from the 1986 pilot Eunice Has anyone ever heard of this? Apparently in 1986, about the time Mama's Family was being picked up for syndication, Carol also attempted to do a solo Eunice sitcom, focusing on her dealing with the antics of her teenage son Tyler. Apparently they shot the pilot, here is a clip https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_gamdKvipC/

06-04-2026, 06:26 PM	#2
CJMD03 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 18, 2018 Posts: 457	NEVER would have worked.

06-07-2026, 05:51 AM	#3
BestTVever Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2021 Location: Miami Posts: 1,943	Wow what a rare find. Thanks for posting. Is the son the actor from Little House? Its funny the son comes in and talks about the debating team because doesn't Buzz come into the kitchen bragging to Mama he made the debating team and Eunice is there. Wonder if this show used the same writers. This was about the time Carol and Vicki had their feud.

06-17-2026, 07:34 AM	#9
CJMD03 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 18, 2018 Posts: 457	What it says on the Net. “The never-aired pilot is distinct from the dramatic 1982 Eunice television movie. The 1986 Disney version featured:Carol Burnett as Eunice Harper Higgins.Patrick Labyorteaux (from Little House on the Prairie) cast as Eunice's son, Tyler.The unaired footage was largely kept under wraps and was not mentioned in Burnett's books or interviews before being unearthed and shared online by Labyorteaux.” God, I’m glad it never became a series.