Mama's Family (TV Series) Farewell, Frannie (1986) User Reviews

Thank God for Syndication!

[Sylviastel · 8/10 · 4 August 2008]

I was devastated when they canceled Mama's Family on network television. About two and half-years later, it resurfaces in Syndication. Of course, there are major changes since Betty White who played snobby Ellen Harper Jackson and Rue McClanahan played Aunt Fran Crowley are no longer with the show. That's because they are on network in Golden Girls. Of course, Frances Crowley is killed off and Ellen is at a bridge game to miss the wedding. Mama Harper and her son, Vinton, and daughter-in-law Naomi remain with them in the house. We don't know about Buzz and Sonia, they are no longer on the show. I would assume the casting downsize might have had to do with the show's new premise. Since the producer Joe Hamilton has divorced Carol Burnett, Eunice is no longer in Raytown. She and Ed have moved to Florida leaving behind their son, Bubba, who is at reformatory school. On the same day as Aunt Fran's funeral, Bubba arrives thinking the food is all for him. Alan Kayser joined the show as Bubba and neighbor and old maid, Iola Boyland, is played by Beverly Archer who is also Mama's best friend. This show is not the show on network but it doesn't matter because I was so glad that Mama and her family came back on the air even in syndication.

Good start for cast additions

[vitoscotti · 7/10 · 29 March 2021]

First Iola and Bubba episode. Iola (Beverly Archer) is a brilliant addition. She is low key, vulnerable, and witty. Bubba is too over the top animated here. That'll calm down. Now the 5 main ensemble actors will work their comedy magic for seasons. 3-6.

Major Changes from this season on....SPOILERS

[ccjp · 7 March 2006]

This is the first episode of the essential 'new' or revamped version of the show, which become much more funnier and comedic. This episode marks the first appearance of Iola, the quirky neighbor and Bubba the juvenile delinquent grandson of mama.

In this episode Mama and the family deal with the death of Aunt Fran…at first Mama is reluctant to tell her family about how she died. However, reluctantly she states that she had scared Fran causing her to swallow a toothpick and die. Mama is also upset that no one has showed up to the funeral. When they come home from the funeral they discover that all the food is gone, and the house is a mess. Bubba, Eunice and Ed's son has gotten released from Reform school and needs a place to stay….Mama opens her home to her grandson, causing Vint and Naomi to stay in the basement.

This episode is meant as an introduction to the new format of the show and does a good job of introducing the new characters, and in a shocking move, kill off another.