THE PLOT THUS FAR
Thelma Harper and her spinster sister Fran open their home to Thelma’s recently divorced son Vinton and his teenage son and daughter. It’s quite an adjustment for everyone, especially the cranky, argumentative Thelma.
WHAT WE THOUGHT
“Mama’s Family” is one of my favorite sitcoms. That being said, I acknowledge that the later seasons weren’t always amazing. The series is something that constantly ran when I was younger, but I was part of the fanbase that emerged during the syndication era. So, when this DVD arrived, I already knew every single episode presented. So many of the side talent had left to go do “The Golden Girls” and Carol Burnett wasn’t hanging around so much. But, you had Bubba and Iona getting dumber as the series progressed. But, you get Alex Trebek and a bit of classic Jeopardy. Isn’t that something! Well, it is if you’re 80 years old like me!
Vicki Lawrence is an underrated comic talent. She takes what was once a one skit character and begins building a world that predates the later white trash humor that would populate “My Name is Earl” and “Raising Hope”. I wouldn’t call this kind of humor ahead of its time, but I appreciate the overwhelming sense to have a lived-in environment rather than feeling like a sitcom shot on a forced set. I want characters, not actor personality.
The DVD comes with featurettes and an interview as the special features. The A/V Quality is pretty strong for a standard definition release. The A/V Quality is on par with last year’s Complete Series set. Hell, I’m willing to say that these discs are a direct port, but it just has special features mixed in. What am I saying? In the end, I’d recommend a purchase to the curious.
RELEASE DATE: 06/24/2014