It was a bit jarring to see her on The Family and especially jarring to see her in this special. The timeline does not adhere to the canon of the series, Ken Berry plays a character not at all like Vinton, and more importantly, its centered around Eunice. I had been so immersed in years in the situation comedy format of MAMAS FAMILY that it took me a bit to realize that the humor of the sketches lies in the realism of the characters and how true to life they are, and mixing the comedy with pathos and just enough darkness for a (usually) wonderful balance. Thelma "Mama" Harper is the quick-tempered, blue-haired matriarch of the Harper family who lives with son Vint and his wife, Naomi, who were forced to move into Mama's basement after losing. The series is a spin-off of a recurring series of comedy sketches called "The Family" featured on The Carol Burnett Show (1967-78) and Carol Burnett & Company (1979). But Mama is infuriated when Phil says he is leaving immediately for New York City, and in the meantime, Eunice dumps her dim-witted boyfriend, Ed. Browse profiles of historical people with the Eunice last name, This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Mama's Family (TV Series 1983-1990) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. However, I share your disfavor for the specials lack of humor. The name Eunice is girl's name of Greek origin meaning "good victory". Thanks for reading and commenting. When we last left off, Pumpkin was screaming at Mama June for being a general trashcan who always chose men over her kids. Cheryl 1 episode, 1988 Michelle Burkhart Black . It was directed by Roger Beatty and Harvey Korman. OVER 19,000 UNIQUE HALF-HOUR AMERICAN TV SITCOM EPISODES WATCHED & STUDIED SINCE 2013! Hi, Elaine! Directors Roger Beatty Harvey Korman Writers Dick Clair Jenna McMahon Stars Vicki Lawrence Ken Berry Carol Burnett Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations. For 95 episodes, Kayser played the kind-hearted, dim-witted Bubba, the grandson of Harper. I dont think you mentioned it in your review, but the best scene in this (aside from her breakdown with Phil after Mamas death) is when she is on the phone with Bubba. The skit originally cast Carol Burnett as Mama and Vicki as Eunice, but Carol flip-flopped the roles before production. Furthermore, the 1978 sequence gives us the opportunity to revel in Carol Burnetts less-often-spoken-about skills as a dramatic actress. But Ed, Eunice, and Mama are at each other's throats and can scarcely relate to Phil's career as an author of historical novels. [ Mama's Family ] quotes, favorite scenes, lessons learned, reviews Eunice is divided into four acts, spanning 23 years in the life of Eunice Harper Higgins: The Eunice family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. Thanks for devoting a post to this previously unknown little gem. Indeed, I didnt understand why the audience was laughing. Hi, Raytown Resident! Hi, Jeff! Vint's son Buzz, tells her about a tape called "The Power Of Positive Thinking" Eunice, in her 40s, feels neglected by her jerk of a husband Ed and that her life has amounted to very little. But the line of thinking that watches Euniceandsees Mama as a viable character for her own series is a bit nonsensical. And his mom Eunice (who he confirms was utterly worthless as a mother) has abandoned him by moving to Florida with his father, leaving him with no place to go except his equally abusive grandmother (though by that point she was nowhere near the abusive crank she was in the Carol Burnett sketches). List of Mama's Family characters - Wikipedia As the program concludes, the cast takes a bow on stage and the audience applauds. The issue I have with the first three acts is that each one starts out poised to be comedic, like the original sketches, and then disappoints by not delivering (enough) laughs. As the "responsibl. And thanks for sharing your thoughts. These relatives include her bumbling son Vinton (Ken Berry) and his floozy wife Naomi (Dorothy Lyman), spinster sister Fran (Rue McClanahan), grandchildren Buzz (Eric Brown), Sonja (Karin Argoud), and later Bubba (Allan Kayser). I want to laugh. Series overview NBC Ratings Episodes Season 1 (1983) Season 2 (1983-84) Season 3 (1986-87) Season 4 (1987-88) Season 5 (1988-89) Season 6 (1989-90) References ^ Lina. Thats true you could watch 1978 as a family sketch of its own, but I still like to watch the whole thing. In 1955, Phillip goes off to New Yorkwhile Eunice quarrels with her boyfriend Ed (Harvey Korman) and her Mama (Vicki Lawrence). And like you said, it was all Carol. "Mama's Family" Cellmates (TV Episode 1983) - IMDb Mama's Family (TV Series 1983-1990) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb This was about 50% of all the recorded Eunice's in USA. Eunice is a feminine given name, from the Greek , Eunk, from "eu", good, and "nk", victory. Thelma is in her late 70s during " Mama's Family ". Episode 7 is enjoyable, with the focus primarily on Vicki Lawrence's Mama as she attempts the 9-5 life as a receptionist while keeping things together at home at the same time. The Last Post / Quite Likely Not the Last Post, Obscurio: The Most Famously Unfamous Mario Characters. Eunice led to Mama's Family premiering in January 1983, clearly, but it's a lot different. View Census Data for Eunice | Data not to scale. And what an exit with that Fluffy revelation. When Mama overreacts to Bubba coming home drunk, he learns that he has triggered painful memories for Mama of an embarrassing drunk en incident with Eunice. Eunice Higgins (nee Harper) is a fictional character from The Carol Burnett Show sketch and its spin-off sitcom, Mama's Family. Fran Crowley | Mamas Family Wiki | Fandom In a way its a shame that Ellen didnt get to appear sooner, but in a way its fitting she didnt; after all, she largely stayed away from her family. The scene is just devastating, as we watch Eunice repeat the abusive patterns with her son that Mama inflicted on her. However, even though were seeking denied laughs for 2/3 of the film, the most worthwhile part ofEuniceis actually the least comedic. (These characters inspired the comedy series, "Mama's Family," which was telecast from 1983 to 1985 on NBC, and from 1986 to 1990 in syndication. Eunice, a woman who blames others for her own failures, lives in a small town with her cantankerous Mama, and sometimes her hapless husband, Ed. In 1940, Laborer and Housekeeper were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Eunice. See production, box office & company info, KTTV/Fox Television Center - 5746 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA. An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Eunice ancestors lived in harsh conditions. But when you do want some drama, that fourth act (you dont even need to watch the disappointing first three) is something thatll play well. View in iTunes. As high as Number 106 in the early 1900s, it lasted on the list until 1995. When Mama overreacts to Bubba coming home drunk, he learns that he has triggered painful memories for Mama of an embarrassing drunk en incident with Eunice.When Mama overreacts to Bubba coming home drunk, he learns that he has triggered painful memories for Mama of an embarrassing drunk en incident with Eunice.When Mama overreacts to Bubba coming home drunk, he learns that he has triggered painful memories for Mama of an embarrassing drunk en incident with Eunice. There are 529 military records available for the last name Eunice. MAMA'S FAMILY - Eunice - Positive Thinking - YouTube The previous post being the final one where I will get personal and introspective and weird on Back of the Cereal Box, Im adding one more t Theres Mario, and then, less famously, theres also Luigi. In 1978, Mama has died and Eunice has a crisis of faith, fighting with sister Ellen (Betty White) and discovering that Ed has remarried. I knew MAMAS FAMILY long before I ever knew THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW, since the latter was before my time. I generally agree with you, Elaine. Mama's Family: Season 2 - amazon.com In Naomi's story, she is Mama's darling and Eunice and Ellen fight and accidentally hit Mama with the pot. Meanwhile older Eunice has already planned to be used and abused by Duke Reeves and his friends. It still amazes me that StarVista/TimeLife acquired this teleplay, broadcast only once, in 1982, to include as a bonus feature on the DVDs and with the box set. Eunice (Bosporan queen), wife of Bosporan Roman Client King Tiberius Julius Cotys I. Eunice, born Heo Soo-yeon, member of Kpop girl group DIA. Mama's Family - Wikipedia List of Mama's Family episodes - Wikipedia With Vicki Lawrence, Ken Berry, Dorothy Lyman, Eric Brown. Vint's son Buzz, tells her about a tape called "The Power Of Positive Thinking". She's skeptical at first but after a few listens, she gets up the nerve to audition . Eunice is a New Testament name of the mother of Timothy, long associated with one of the Kennedy sisters, the founder of the Special Olympics. Mama's Family (Series) - TV Tropes Ed drops by, and he and Eunice ruefully appraise one another in a lackluster reunion. 2023 Nameberry.com.Nameberry is a registered trademark of Nameberry, LLC. Right now, Im more interested in season two of MAMAS FAMILY. Below is a list of episodes for the 1980s television sitcom Mama's Family . Hi, Carl! Mamas quiet comment that she wishes shed answered the phone really stays with me. Im going to have to rewatch. The framing shots of him sitting on the porch, listening to his family fight, are so effective. Eunice, in her 40s, feels neglected by her jerk of a husband Ed and that her life has amounted to very little. With a very stormy, irrepressible personality, Eunice is usually seen completely out of control and ranting on and on about something. These are characters borne from comedy after all. For the veterans among your Eunice ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions. Mama's Family Wiki is a FANDOM TV Community. Then of course there is that fourth act, which much stun viewers of MAMAS FAMILY who never saw much of the Burnett show sketches. She wouldn't even inform Bubba of this herself, hanging up the phone on Mama after she said she was going to give Bubba the phone. Mama's Family first aired on NBC until it was cancelled in 1984, then revived in 1986 in . Eunice Higgins: Why don't you just take a couple bucks and eat out at Taco Quickies? Vint's son Buzz, tells her about a tape called "The Power Of Positive Thinking" Read allEunice, in her 40s, feels neglected by her jerk of a husband Ed and that her life has amounted to very little. Eunice was the birth name of Nina Simone, which gives it a modicum of cool. Burnett is magnificent in the final scene though maybe some of the best work of her career. Eunice in Mamas Family is a complete caricature (albeit a very entertaining one), and that was the first Eunice I ever saw. They get arrested after accidentally hitting two police officers and have to share a cell. LAtvGuy 38.7K subscribers Subscribe 30K Share Save 2.9M views 3 years ago The Family (Mama, Eunice, and Ed) celebrate Mama's birthday. (Heck, Mama even dies!) The Southern Legacy of 'Mama's Family' - Wide Open Country I think its because we are seeing her through her own eyes, unlike Eunice on Mamas family, who is shown through Mamas eyes (especially the last few appearances of the character with Carol no longer in the role). Cast & crew User reviews Trivia IMDbPro All topics Eunice TV Movie 1982 1h 30m IMDb RATING 8.1 /10 261 YOUR RATING Rate Comedy Drama Based on characters from "The Carol Burnett Show," this was the film which led to the series "Mama's Family." Directors Roger Beatty Harvey Korman Writers Dick Clair And on a note of Harper interest, this is the only instance where we ever see Mamas bedroom. Burnett encouraged Lawrence to make the show. *We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs. Success in movies followedincluding the horror cult-favorite Night of the Creeps and Kayser's teen heartthrob . (Lawrence doesnt even appear in this last act.) I already said I plan to. But Betty White really made the most out of her one-act appearance here. Come back next Wednesday for another Wildcard post! Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940. Yes, thats correct neither the sketches nor the series ever showed Mamas bedroom. Making small talk, Ellen, who married a wealthy man, surveys the quaint house with a cold eye. In 1963, Phillip is just finding success and comes back to visit Mama, now widowed, while Eunice is tied down unhappily to Ed and two kids. The show is divided into four acts. Mama's Family was first taped in 1982, with the first episode airing January 22, 1983. EUNICE {WITH THE CAST OF "MAMA'S FAMILY"} (TV) - Paley Center for Media It's not until Iola explains about Thelma's experience with Eunice years ago. Also, the first two acts, in particular, are a bit gimmicky with the period costumes and the shtick of being back in time. The only part of the play that feels true to itself and authentically enjoyable, to me, is the final act. As the "responsible" family lady, she even then had to put her dreams on hold and cater to her own mama (Vic See production, box office & company info, Studio 33, CBS Television City - 7800 Beverly Boulevard, Fairfax, Los Angeles, California, USA. Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022. There is never really a moment given that will let viewers feel Eunice has a chance for happiness. This was about 50% of all the recorded Eunice's in USA. The Dark Side of Mama's Family - Back of the Cereal Box Okay, maybe thats a little harsh. Eunice Name Meaning & Eunice Family History at Ancestry.com Cellmates - Mama's Family (Season 1, Episode 6) | Apple TV It centers around the quick-tempered and wise-cracking family matriarch Thelma Harper (Vicki Laurence) - commonly referred to as \"Mama\" - who takes in her various family members when they show up with no place else to go. Eunice Higgins | Mamas Family Wiki | Fandom When a friend of mine recorded some Family sketches for me from TCBS reruns on cable (we didnt have cable at the time), I was ecstatic; I couldnt wait to see the original sketches showing the original characters in all their glory. I too put this on occasionally when Im in that right mood for some intimate and sad Family drama. Carol, like a lot of comedians, seemed to become more and more attached to seeing Eunice as an extension of herself, rather than a vehicle for laughs. And it is funny that we always hear it was this teleplay that allowed Mamas Family to be born. Their father, Carl, doesn't leave the toilet to say goodbye to his son, and Eunice promises she will join Phil in New York to pursue acting. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Eunice census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more. Thanks for reading and commenting. The way she just subtly remarks on its charming beauty and immediately adds Remember how you always used to hate it, Eunice? to try and manipulate her claim on it, followed by Eunices wise-to-her Ya want to me wrap it up for ya?it may be low-key, but its one of the highlights of that act for me. When Eunice sees Duke gone, she blames her mother for sending the love of her life away. Rashomama | Mamas Family Wiki | Fandom Unfortunately because Vint's a boy, he can't go to the luncheon. The fourth act starts out appropriately grave from the very beginning, with that quietly ticking clock and the somber entrance of the siblings. It is broken up when Ed carries Eunice out of the house. Mama's Family The series is a spin-off of a recurring series of comedy sketches called "The Family" featured on The Carol Burnett Show (1974-78) and Carol Burnett & Company (1979). Nameberry is a registered trademark of Nameberry, LLC. Eunice (TV Movie 1982) - IMDb I liked Carol Burnett when I was a kid in the 70s but I can't watch it anymore. Thank goodness I gave them another chance and fell in love with them. She's skeptical at first but after a few listens, she gets up the nerve to audition at the local playhouse for a small part in an upcoming show. Mama was like a background character. If prepared, youll be pleased. With a very stormy, irrepressible personality, Eunice is usually seen completely out of control and ranting on and on about something. Vint's son Buzz, tells her about a tape called "The Power Of Positive Thinking". In 1840 there was 1 Eunice family living in New Hampshire. Eunice, in her 40s, feels neglected by her jerk of a husband Ed and that her life has amounted to very little. Basic Info Gender Female Occupation Housewife Residence Raytown Actor Carol Burnett Relationships Parents Thelma Harper, Carl Harper Sibling (s) Vinton Harper, Ellen Jackson Spouse Ed Higgins Children Bubba Higgins, Billy Joe Higgins (Mentioned in The Family skits only) Nieces and Nephews Buzz Harper, Sonja Harper Aunts/Uncles Aunt Effie Harper As high as Number 106 in the early 1900s, it lasted on the list until 1995. The film starred Carol Burnett as Eunice; Ken Berry as Eunice's well-to-do brother, Philip (Berry played a different . By the fourth act, that pretense is lost, and so the full embracement of drama allows the action to play unencumbered by duty and expectation. THE BOOTLEG FILES: "EUNICE" | Film Threat The work from Carol, Vicki, Ken and Betty White is first-rate. It really has nothing to do with Euniceitself and more to do with an obvious renewed interest in the characters. And tune in on Monday for another forgotten musical! In 1964, Eunice and her husband, Ed, try to celebrate Phil's visit home. My thoughts will follow next week! Thanks for reading and commenting. The already tense mood is further exasperated when her combative daughters Eunice and Ellen argue while the family decorates the house for the ceremony.About Mama's Family:A spin-off from the famous recurring 'The Family' sketch from The Carol Burnett Show, Mama's Family is a loud, colorful, and hectically hilarious sitcom that ran for six seasons. Positive Thinking: Directed by Roger Beatty, Harvey Korman. Yes, knowing what to expect can make a big difference in viewing something. It's dark. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more. As promised in yesterday's post on the best episodes from the first season of Mama's Family, today's entry contains my thoughts on CBS' 1982 special Eunice, which took the characters from the "Family" series of sketches on The Carol Burnett Show (discussed here in a September 2013 Wildcard post) and put them into a four act play that . Eunice is a New Testament name of the mother of Timothy, long associated with one of the Kennedy sisters, the founder of the Special Olympics. Oy. Soon Eunice starts attacking the whole family, getting in a fight with Ellen, making fun of her own husband, attacking Mama, and calling Naomi a "recycled bride." This angers Naomi, who heads over to attack Eunice. . Two lists, both directly related to Dr. Pepper. One moment of family drama that is so reflective of real life is when Ellen eyes the lamp and wants it but, she wont just come out and say it. Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations. Eunice, in her 40s, feels neglected by her jerk of a husband Ed and that her life has amounted to very little. I always disliked the shows choice to make Vint become such an idiot, so this is a real tonic. Eschewing school and community theater, Eunice still intends to pursue acting in New York. New Hampshire and 1 other state had the highest population of Eunice families in 1840. As discussed yesterday, the special, which earned VickiLawrence an Emmy nomination, served as the catalyst that convinced both Lawrence and rival network NBC to go forward with a series centered around Mama. 1 Video 0 Photos Comedy To Celebrate Eunice birthday, Vinton, Ed and Mama hold surprise party at the bigger jigger. 41% of Eunice men worked as a Laborer and 8% of Eunice women worked as a Housekeeper. Commercials deleted. The poignancy which had marked "Eunice" two years earlier and turned up a few times during the NBC run (causing TV Guide to label this as a "comedy-drama" during its first season) resurfaces again as Mama's birthday causes her to remember the day she turned 30. "Postivie Thinking" really brings back the days of the original skit, starring Carol Burnett, and here's she back as her fame seeking, annoying Eunice. Id seen parts of this before (mainly the ending), but hadnt watched the full special until Ken Berrys recent passing. Iola played amazingly unrecognizable by the actress, Nikki Cox, as a young girl who needs Thelma. Eunice Eloisae Gibbs Allyn (1847-1916), American correspondent, author, poet. In Eunice's version of the story, Ellen is an evil, rich snob, Naomi . Wish the special itself was more consistently rewarding. In 1973, Eunice is husbandless (and Bubba is missing) when Phillip returns a big success. Theyre gonna ask you to do Mama as a series. And Lawrence reports that no sooner did the credits start rolling than Carol, Joe, and Harvey were all over me saying You HAVE to do this as a series! However odd that may be, we Mamas Family fans are sure glad she decided to do it. Menu. But each of the women has their own tale about how it happened. Phil, who makes a brief visit, now writes screenplays for a living. Thelma sends Duke Reeves away. Not only was "The Family" well received to become a recurring skit on The Carol Burnett Show, but its success saw it developed into a 1982 made-for-TV movie called Eunice, and then later spun off into a full-fledged sitcom in 1983, entitled Mama's Family. Carol Burnett Show - The Family: "Mama's Birthday" (Uncut) "Bubba was never on The Carol Burnett Show skits, but was always referred to as a juvenile delinquent," says Kayser with a laugh. This didnt make me laugh and it isnt ever going to make me laugh. NBC | Air Date: February 12, 1983 Starring: Eric Brown, Vicki Lawrence, Dorothy Lyman, Rue McClanahan, Rue McClanahan, Harvey Korman, Harvey Korman, Ken Berry, Karin Argoud Summary: The day of the wedding has come, and Mama is under a lot of stress trying to clean the house for the ceremony. Some less common occupations for Americans named Eunice were Barber and Machine Operator. Anyway, enjoy the rest of Season Two. It is definitely a unique experience in the Harper and Eunice euniverse (sorry, I couldnt resist). In 1973, Eunice's sons are runaways, her husband, Ed, has walked out on her, and in the course of caring for Mama, Eunice has become an alcoholic. Anyway, Eunice is brought by Duke Reeves, the love of Eunice's life, and she's wasted away. If youd known what to expect, you probably wouldnt have been so disappointed. She's skeptical at first but after a few listens, she gets up the nerve to audition at t Read allEunice, in her 40s, feels neglected by her jerk of a husband Ed and that her life has amounted to very little. The show was about Thelma "Mama" Harper, ne Crowley ( Vicki Lawrence) and her family: sharing the house with Thelma were her son, Vinton (Ken Berry); Naomi (Dorothy Lyman), Vinton's girlfriend and later wife; Vinton "Buzz" Jr. (Eric Brown) and Sonja (Karin Argoud), Vinton's two kids from a previous marriage; and Thelma's spinster sister, France. Thelma's squabbles and offhand disregard for daughter Eunice and Eunice's husband, Ed, and son, Bubba, was the ongoing theme of The Family sketches. It's also good in a way that Mama's Family wasn't and maybe never tried to be. Mama's Family / YMMV - TV Tropes Between 1941 and 2004, in the United States, Eunice life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1964, and highest in 1997. In this regard, its not unlike the tone of the sketches, which the company reportedly acknowledged as possessing the ability to play sanslaughs for genuine drama. Do not sell or share my personal information. I like the slightly eerie way the third act moves to foreshadowing the tone of the fourth, as we see Eunices life falling apart around her with her Ed having left her and the home life problems with Bubba, and those final moments with Eunice and Mama together. It is for this reason that the special is worthwhile, and this dramawill appeal mostly to fans of the sketches. The poignancy which had marked "Eunice" two years earlier and turned up a few times during the NBC run (causing TV Guide to label this as a "comedy-drama" during its first season) resurfaces again as Mama's birthday causes her to remember the day she turned 30. For me, it doesn't hold up and it is too corny to bear. The character is portrayed as a jealous antagonist in her appearances on Mama's Family, much more so than her appearances on The . Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts. Frances Marie Crowley, commonly known as "Aunt Fran", is a fictional character on the television series, Mama's Family. Meanwhile, in terms ofMamas Family,Euniceis not necessary viewing. She's skeptical at first but after a few listens, she gets up the nerve to audition at the local playhouse for a small part in an upcoming show. At first, she was the only one living with Thelma, until the arrival of her nephew, Vinton Harper and his children, Vinton "Buzz . In Naomi's story, she is Mama's darling and Eunice and Ellen fight and accidentally hit Mama with the pot. He played Eunice's doltish husband Ed, who runs a hardware. Carol was almost exactly like my southern bitch of an aunt who fortunately seldom visited. Episode 106: Cellmates | Mama's Family Wiki | Fandom Thelma has to get her sober enough for their solo.