I love how Mickey Hart tries talking to Mother Harper! I once tried this with my own mom. She's 82 years old. I started speaking loud to her, and she looked at me and said, " Why are you yelling!? I can hear you!" I busted out laughing!!!!
I miss these shows so much. They just do not have anything like this on TV today. I wonder who or whom on the Carol Burnett show came up with the idea for these characters and the Family episodes. Pure genius.
Carol said in her book, she based Eunice on her Mother. She said her mother had one disappointment after another in her life. No happiness or joy. 🥺 That explains why Carol is so funny: comedy out of tragedy.
The producers actually wanted Carol Burnett to play Mama, and Vickie Lawrence to play Eunice...but Carol insisted they do it the way she suggested...and it was a smash hit!
In the 1970s I was being raised in an abusive, dysfunctional home (parents had split up, mother had custody of us kids. She was a mentally ill, abusive monster). As a result, I turned towards watching LOTS of tv as a way to provide myself with escape and comfort from my misery. The Carol Burnett show was one of many tv shows I watched regularly in daily syndicated reruns. It really helped me to preserve what few shreds of sanity I had as well as provided me with much needed happiness, laughter and joy in an otherwise joyless existence. The Carol Burnett show was the one and only tv show whose sketches had me and my sister literally rolling on the floor, clutching our sides with laughter (especially if the sketch had Tim Conway in it. He was the best). EXCEPT for these "The Family" sketches. When Eunice yelled and/or scrunched up her face in anger, she was the exact spitting image of our mother. It was just too painful. My sister and I would sit completely stone faced through these "Family" sketches. I don't recall them eliciting a single laugh from either one of us (not even the presence of Tim Conway helped).
Yeah. Both my parents were awful. They stayed together to prove her parents wrong. He was a nagging bully and instead of finding solidarity with us girls she used what little power she had to dump on us and hold us up as "See what I deal with??" So he'd punish us extra to keep her from pointing her frustrations where they belonged: HIM. I feel ya. :(
I am really sorry that you and your sister had to endure that. I get it. For people who had a dysfunctional family life, maybe these sketches cut close to home. As humorous as they were, there was definitely an undercurrent of sadness and pain. You can definitely see it Again, I am really sorry that you guys had to suffer that. Hopefully, you were able to escape from that and find happiness
Society likes to pretend family is a source of comfort and good values, but that ignores all the people for whom these skits seemed like a documentary. Carol was a genius for helping us laugh at the dysfunction.
I just got yelled at in another thread for understanding these things were based on reality. Lol. Guess guy wants to go back to a time when men died of early heart, lung, or liver disease and blamed it all on the wife and call it when America was Great. (The Cleavers were not representative of the times.)
@@C.Church Yup, those idyllic families from the 1950s shows were supposed to be goals for the American family. It absolutely was NOT the average experience of the time. Sometimes it's shocking to think about, but there was so much trauma baked into a couple decades right around then. Just think: people getting night terrors from WWII flashbacks, alcoholism not recognized as a problem, doctors throwing around pharmaceuticals without understanding side effects, the public terrified of nuclear wars, and kids being disciplined in school to the point of having broken bones from the beatings. Hell of a time. Carol showed it. That's brave.
@@verity3616 She sure was. This was akin to Mike and Carol sharing a bed. Today we forget. Back then it was "Finally someone is showing us unhappy people. And I feel a bit less lonely now." ❤
That's because Mickey worshiped the ground Ed walked on, and compared to dealing with snarky and bitter mother-in-law and his whiny and self-obsessed wife, naturally he practically fell in love with Mickey. (And had Mickey been a woman, he would have left Eunice for Micky in a heartbeat.) It's very likely that Mama and Eunice were right that Mickey wasn't a particularly good assistant and not that intelligent, but Ed never kept him around for intelligence. He kept him around because he was loyal and obedient. It's also pretty well established that Ed doesn't really have much of a social life of his own and struggles to run the hardware store successfully, which Eunice constantly berates him for and Mama treats him like a dolt. The one time Ed gave Mickey a raise, he had to do it by taking it out of Eunice's allowance, further emphasizing that Ed just barely is able to keep the store afloat. And finally, once Ed had found himself another woman who would praise him and make him feel good, he had absolutely no qualms about abandoning both Eunice and Mickey, even going so far as to sell Mickey half of the store's ownership and leaving the other half to Eunice just so he could afford the airplane tickets and save up some support money to take himself and his new woman to Mexico.
Mama's Family NEVER had this realness, this kind of "grit"!!!!!! THIS WAS TRUE ENSEMBLE CAST. The best writing! Mama got "nicer" in the softened series.
Agreed. Mama's Family wasn't bad, but it was more standard mediocre sit-com fair. The writing and acting in the original Family sketches were much higher quality. These sketches are like little theatrical plays depicting the comedy, tragedy, and pathos of dysfunctional families. And yes, Burnett, Korman, and Conway were not there.
Mama got nicer in the Mama's Family TV series because they were trying to play it smart. When Vicki Lawrence got offered her own show, Mama's Family, she asked Harvey Korman to come in and work behind the scenes on the show. They got together before the new series started and he had advised her to now play Mama a little differently. He implied that on the Carol Burnett Show, the Family skits were about 10 or 15 minutes long, (sometimes 30 minutes), and the cast may go between 2 - 4 weeks between the Family skits. But now that the Mama character was getting her own show, they're fighting to keep the viewers coming back week in - and - week out for 30 minutes, and people may not tune in to watch Mama be mean to everybody for 30 minutes each and every week. Korman was stating that it was great how mean Mama was for an occasional skit inside of another TV show, but now that this is going to be its own freestanding show, people needed to see another side to Mama, and that Mama needed to have more layers. Lawrence said when she got the show and before production had started, she was all set to play the Mama character the same way she had played it on the Carol Burnett Show. But she considered the advice and decided to play Mama with more layers and with a greater range of emotions. They all knew what they were doing because Mama's Family ran with new episodes for 5 seasons on NBC and syndication, and basically to this day (in the 2020s), Lawrence occasionally does theatrical performances where she's playing the Mama character. Also in her theatrical performances, she would sing as herself; remember, she had a US #1 hit on the Hot 100 chart with "The Nights the Lights Went Out in Georgia".
These skits were really actually about 15 years ahead of their time, despite the rest of the Carol Burnett Show depending for the most part on hoaky slapstick. Somewhere between Simpsons (some of the family is reprobate but all are somewhat sympathetic) and Love and Marriage (all of the family is reprobate and none are sympathetic), both of which came in the late 80s.
@@calvinsaxon5822 Oh my God, no *way* was Married With Children anywhere NEAR the genius of the Carol Burnett Show! That was *the* most idiotic stupid show ever in the history of TV. No talent, not funny, horrible writers, untalented D list "actors" that just spoke one liners that weren't even linked together. Just canned laughter, one liners and real stupid lines with no plot worth anything. 🙉 Dumb Dumb Dumb!!! 🥴🤤 PS: I hate that show! Lmao God how I loathed that moronic show!
All I saw was a toxic dysfunctional family and belittling criticism of hopes and dreams. Glad Ed stoop up for himself and I applauded with the audience.
Only no one would be chilling in her house. Momma's gone, hubby divorced, kids moved away, sister couldn't care less and a brother having a life of ones own in Hollywood. 🤷♀️ The neighbors maybe?
It's real people actually laughing, not some canned laugh track. The show would be less fun to watch if we were the only ones laughing, in front of our TV sets.
@@hana.the.writer5074 not only that but he left his own kids as well. Best thing he should of done was stayed, divorced, secured his boys in court then after divorcing ran off with his new lust flame which fyi when u have kids that does burn out and u have to try to keep it burning cause of being exhausted he should of tried To stay and try and make his partner understand why he was unhappy. Trying with a marriage counseling is best and if she couldn't try cause of her mama then tell her u want a divorce and do as I said at the beginning cause now he committed adultery and left her to care for both their kids. Money helps but doesn't help u when u r a single parent working, school for kids and daycare and feeding plus two boys they may have wanted to play sport and sometimes they want a father to help with that and so on. while he has his fun and ran away from his responsibility as a parent it's not fair to the children cause it shows u ram from them as well not even a goodbye to them. In the long run, in the after life he will burn in hell for adultery and she won't cuz he ran off and broke her heart to take care of the family. Her mama drove her crazy too but I can't see any child once their parents get older letting them and leaving them to defend for themselves especially since most becomes forgetful or can't afford to take care of themselves.
@@stargarcia1237 Eunice's siblings can take care of Momma. They need to do their fair share, unless she just wants to be miserable. It's comedy, but from what I read based on a toxic relationship.
@@stargarcia1237 In the "Teacher's Dilemma" sketch we learn that he hit the boys. He also belittled his son who wanted to write, calling him a "sissy." Ed also put down Eunice's successful brothers because to him hardware was the center of the universe and nobody else's achievements mattered. His sons were no worse with him out of the picture. :/
Keith Allver yeah but Atfee her mom death Ed came to see Eunice and he still broke and trying to ask her for Phil to help him buy another warehouse and lady he left him for isn’t the same it a different women and he said yeah but we got no romance so he just left and he still a nobody lol and they wasn’t in love she got pregnant so no love lost with Ed
@@AmyLSacks was he? That still doesn’t negate the fact that both Eunice and Thelma were abusive to him for trying to better his life. Thelma did it to Eunice and then Eunice took it out on Ed. Then they both gang up on him to do nothing but criticize and belittle him. This hit a bit too close to home and I applauded with the audience when he stood up for himself and followed his dreams. I’m glad he left her.
@@Alusnovalotus Plenty of blame to go around. He and Mama ganged up on Eunice, too. They was never any true solidarity or "family feeling" for this family. That's kind of the point. They all have major problems. As for following his dreams, second marriages often fail, too. Pretty sure his did, because he never tried to change or face up to his own faults. Probably brought all that baggage with him into the new relationship.
@@AmyLSacks probably is a bit too vague. The result was that he had had enough of Eunice’s toxicity and left her. Sadly, Eunice depended more on him than he did on her. I kind of hoped she’d stood up to Thelma the same way and left her too.
Thought I was the only one who notices the art pottery on the set! I collect Royal Haeger pottery. You have a good eye! Also, the show Good Times has some RH pieces in the living room. 😀
Ol' Micky just can't keep his mouth shut! Neither can Eunice. Can't wait for you to upload "The Restaurant"....also, there is one called "Overnight Guest" (s11) which I guess is the only other one I've never seen.
Love the Carol Burnet show this show was in my mama and daddy err I remember theam telling me about this show and my parents were so right God bless my parents and God bless this show so funny.
These were the days when you could laugh and enjoy life and television 📺. Football, basketball 🏀, 🧊 ⛸️, figure ⛸️, etc. Id all that's left. The good days are gone forever.
I was with Ed the whole way this time. It might be generally inconsiderate to go out of town and not take your spouse knowing they don't get the chance to get out much. But who the hell wants someone along that nags and criticizes and makes a slight out of everything? No one in their right mind.
Eunice treated Ed just like Mama treated her. Mickey respected all of them despite Mama & Eunice being very disrespectful toward him. No wonder Ed would rather take Mickey out of town than Eunice and no wonder Ed left her in the end. ALL THESE ACTORS EMBODIED THEIR CHARACTERS TO PERFECTION!
Ed was a man who had secret money and thought if his family as afterthought. He wasn't really a victim. As the leader of the family (values back then) this was his creation.
@@charmsineprice8734 Guys like that want it both ways. Olden times when men were strong and mentally hard but rational leaders. Women didn't crowd out the workforce therefore men could be reeeeal tough ya know?!... But also he was nagged omg poor feller was in impossible straits. 🙄
@@C.Churchstrange.....I was raised in that time period and my dad NEVER kept money on the side. Everything he did and made was for the betterment of the family and both his and mom's golden years.
They hate Mickey because he's an "idiot". In their eyes, anyone who doesn't bicker and shout at everyone is stupid. And they hate him for this and no other reason. These skits were genius.
Notice Eds only healthy relationship is with Mickey. Nothing sexual or unseemly just the only person he has positive, reaffirming, nurturing dynamic. Mickey longs for a family and he shows respect to Eunice and Thelma, despite them always bashing and picking at him. Mickey is far from an idiot.... Notice Eunice is selfish and oblivious UNLESS its about her. Ed cant win with her no matter how hard he tries.
Thank you so much for such high quality versions of The Family from the Carol Burnett show, I can't thank you enough. I keep writing Carol and Time/Life to release a complete set on DVD, I know there are more that aren't yet on RU-vid, I am wondering how many you have. Keepisode them coming and thank you so much. Any idea how many there were? Do you have the movie in high quality? I just hope they let you keep them up.
Robert Siegel Hi Robert. There were 30 sketches on the Carol Burnett Show and one on a summer series she did the following year. I don’t have that sketch, but it’s on RU-vid. I do have the Eunice movie in high quality and will try to post it soon. Thanks for your interest!
@@latvguy1 The only one I haven't seen is Overnight Guest. Some skits were painful to watch in that the writing was so good. Long ago, watched the skits while laughing, but now, I realize the enormity of the entire production.
It would’ve been nice if he wasn’t backed into a corner, guilted, and then belittled for it. I believe he did the right thing in standing up for himself and giving back some of the crap heaped on him by Eunice and Thelma.
Such a brilliant sketch-Funny how Eunice complained about Ed's business sense but didn't offer to help with the business,she could have run it while he was gone Eunice- victim yet abuser and not self-aware.
Tim Conway 1932-2016 age 86 years old Harvey korman 1923-2009 age 86 years old the American lead actors of the carol Burnett show and Mama's family mickey hart and ed Higgins rest in peace amen 🇫🇷🇷🇺🇸🇰🇻🇪🇹🇳🇺🇬🇸🇸🇰🇪🇲🇬🇹🇿🇷🇴🇪🇸🇵🇹🇵🇹🇲🇽🇧🇷🇮🇳🇯🇵🇭🇺🇪🇬🇸🇾🇱🇧🇮🇱🇩🇪🇦🇺🇨🇦🇸🇲🇻🇦🇮🇹🇺🇲🇬🇧🐺🐊🐘🦒🦍🦁
Their autopsy it was ruled a homicide a heart attack caused by respiratory failure stage three rest in peace Tim Conway and Harvey korman amen 🇫🇷🇷🇺🇸🇰🇻🇪🇹🇳🇺🇬🇸🇸🇰🇪🇲🇬🇹🇿🇷🇴🇪🇸🇵🇹🇲🇽🇧🇷🇮🇳🇯🇵🇭🇺🇪🇬🇸🇾🇱🇧🇮🇱🇩🇪🇦🇺🇨🇦🇸🇲🇻🇦🇮🇹🇺🇲🇬🇧🐺🐊🐘🦒🦍🦁
They were buried at Westwood memorial park in Los Angeles California rest in peace Tim Conway and Harvey korman amen 🇫🇷🇷🇺🇸🇰🇻🇪🇹🇳🇺🇬🇺🇬🇸🇸🇰🇪🇲🇬🇹🇿🇷🇴🇪🇸🇵🇹🇲🇽🇲🇽🇧🇷🇮🇳🇯🇵🇭🇺🇪🇬🇸🇾🇱🇧🇮🇱🇩🇪🇦🇺🇨🇦🇸🇲🇻🇦🇮🇹🇺🇲🇬🇧🐺🐊🐘🦒🦍🦁
May they rest in peace in heaven today rest in peace Tim Conway and Harvey korman amen 🇫🇷🇷🇺🇸🇰🇻🇪🇹🇳🇺🇬🇸🇸🇰🇪🇲🇬🇹🇿🇷🇴🇪🇸🇵🇹🇲🇽🇧🇷🇮🇳🇯🇵🇭🇺🇪🇬🇸🇾🇱🇧🇮🇱🇩🇪🇦🇺🇨🇦🇸🇲🇻🇦🇮🇹🇺🇲🇬🇧🐺🐊🐘🦒🦍🦁
I must be nuts! What I'm I doing sitting here letting you two creeps get away with this. What have the two of you ever done with your lives that you can criticize me?... Well said Ed! He may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer but he goes to that Hardware store just to earn a living to keep a roof over his wife and kids heads and all he ever get for it is constant ridicule. Good to see him grow some stones for a change.
Constant ridicule, having to put up with mama labeling him a failure all the time, and a wife who really didnt keep house well and if you read between the lines didnt make much of an effort to satisfy her husbands needs, if you know what i mean
lol Ed is so self-important that he never helps his wife around the house and he's constantly announcing how badly he needs to get away from her and the kids. Poor Eunice basically married her dad, thanks to her trashed self-esteem courtesy of Mama. :/