Vicki Lawrence Appearing on "RuPaul's All Stars Drag Race" as 'Thelma Harper'

[JamesG]

Keck's Exclusives First Look: Mama Meets RuPaul
Aug 6, 2012
by William Keck


Vicki Lawrence will make a rare TV appearance as her old "Carol Burnett Show"/"Mama's Family" character, Thelma Harper, on Logo's "RuPaul's All Stars Drag Race" this season, which begins October 22.

"RuPaul knew details of the 'Burnett Show' that even surprised me," says Lawrence. "He's a real aficionado of the show."

Other judges on tap include Kelly Osbourne, Elvira, Busy Philipps and "SNL" alums Rachel Dratch and Cheri Oteri.





Lawrence, who tours as Mama in stage shows around the country helps judge a challenge in which the contestants dress as famous funny ladies and "write and perform a comedy bit with Mama," she explains.

"A couple times I wanted to fix their jokes to make them funny, but we weren't allowed to. So I just gave it my best shot. We had a Bette Davis, Bea Arthur, Charo, Lucille Ball, Shakira and Fran Dresher."

(If you ask me, the queens all missed a prime opportunity to go head-to-head with Mama as Burnett's Eunice!)





So why haven't we seen more "Mama" on TV? A rep for Lawrence says estate monitor John Hamilton (son of Burnett's late ex, Joe Hamilton), who controls the TV rights to the character, has "stonewalled" efforts for several proposed revivals, including a "Mama" reality series.

But Hamilton assures me he has indeed shopped several concepts (alas, no takers) and has yet another "Mama" concept currently in development.

http://www.tvguide.com/News/RuPauls-...e-1051590.aspx

[springb]

This sounds great! I can't wait to see it.