Eunice gets bad news just as Ed's old friend Dan pops in for a visit. Guest starring Dick Van Dyke. Unedited as it originally aired on September 24, 1977. (Apologies for the poor video quality)
That look on Eunice's face in the thumbnail really sums up her life and all the struggles she's been through. She always seemed to get the short end of every stick, and that's why her character was so relatable to so many.
We are products of our environment. Thelma was probably the target of verbal abuse, perhaps from both her parents and spouse. In turn she was verbally abusive to Eunice in particular, likely telling her from an early age that she'd never be good enough (of course we never saw that, I'm just guessing). And then Eunice settled for more abuse in a marriage. Carol is pretty/beautiful, and so was Eunice. Really a tragic character.
@@rigeur071 Thelma’s late husband was abusive physically, mentally, and verbally. It’s seen in flash backs on some of these segments and also it’s mentioned.
@@Krzrrazrrokr of course the back story changes depending on the version of the show you're watching. On the Carol Burnett Show Family sketches Carl was definitely depicted as abusive to Thelma , however on the syndicated episodes of Mama's Family Thelma was depicted as a fiesty spitfire in her younger days who didn't take crap off ANYONE including Carl. There were even times Mama recalls warm times between her and Carl like him whiteling the Christmas star for her
Yeah, and had Momma raised her better with respect and not used her as a verbal whipping post, Eunice wouldn't fall for two bit con artists like that! That's why Eunice has such low self-esteem!
Oh boy Carol really deserved a Emmy for best actress for this performance alone. Funny as all get out one moment heartbreaking sad the next. It will be a sad day when we lose Carol. Just like when we lost Mary Tyler Moore.
@@sha11235 This "Dan Fogerty" character. Check out the way Mama is sizing him up, & the way she looks at him, she can tell he is up to no good. First he tries to con Eunice into moving in with her when he hears that Ed left her, then he tries to pull the same number on Mickey.
@Little Bit not necessarily true. Ed wasn't necessarily the loving type and he can be underhanded. Dan is a few times worse than Ed. Dan was an opportunist.
Have you ever watched movie “Eunice” ? It will have you balling and contemplating your entire existence. It’s so heartbreaking but brilliant 😔 Made me look at the show Mama’s Family differently.
I love Dick Vandike in this he was just brilliant. I don't remember a rockstar named Dan Fogerty, I remember John Fogerty from Credence Clearwater Revival one of my Mom's favorite bands though. I wonder if the writers wanted to use Fogerty but the first name John would've been too obvious.
@@PuffKitty The other Fogerty brother in CCR was Tom Fogerty, not Dan Fogerty (even though Dan is another of the Fogerty brothers)...though, for what it's worth, Dan Fogerty has had some success in the music field and he even performs some of John's songs
If I didn't know this was a skit I really would of believed her husband just dumped her....the facial expressions and the body language were real...that's the mark of a great actress! They make u forget you're watching a show
Eunice always put-down, denigrated, and verbally and emotionally abused Ed just as much as Ed did to her. I am not surprised Ed left her. I didn't feel one bit sorry for her - however, I enjoyed the acting and character interpretation of her.
Garnet Johnson I am sorry to hear that you had such a hard time when growing up. I really loved this show too. I wish there was still episodes to watch yet today.
She is Passive Aggressive grumpy old lady, but Eunice and the other characters were always strong enough to stand up to it which is how the dysfunction was still so funny to watch.
I've definitely been there myself. In 2006 and 4 months pregnant with my our 4th child. But I'm glad I forgave him before he passed away in 2022. We made peace with each other and stayed friends till the day he went to Heaven. I still love and miss him very much.
Peter Danior It was pretty heartbreaking. I’m so glad her mama was there. Mama tried in her own way to comfort poor Eunice. Old Dan was a slickster. But Mama didn’t take any of his shit.
Little Bit at the very least he was looking for a place to stay, and he probably didn’t know that Eunice was barely making ends meet. Ed most likely told Dan that he was a very successful businessman
"Well, Dammit, Eunice! One time you went for AJ's whole wheat bread, and you came home with aunt Jemima's buckwheat flour!" God.... that is the funniest thing ever!
I've been in Eunice's shoes before. Being abandoned without notice. Having your whole life change in seconds and not knowing what to do. It might be funny here but if you experience it in real life it isn't.
The ensemble that performed “The Family” sketches are comedic geniuses but do not get their due as dramatic actors. Carol Burnett in particular has the classic clown’s grasp of pathos that all the greatest comedians have. The distance is short between comedy and tragedy and Ms. Burnett has the skills and sensitivity to flawlessly play both and change from one to the other seamlessly. Bravo!
As she did it. No one has picked up the flag and run with it since. They don't have the background. Julia Louis-Dreyfuss couldn't do it. Maybe Debra Messing could, but I doubt she has enough range.
Love the Family sketches, even when they are more serious than usual. And Vicki Lawrence here is brilliant as the mother who is both hyper critical & supportive (in her way). Funniest moments were non-verbal, too, like quietly picking up her purse or silently dumping the spaghetti back into the serving dish!
I loved the Carol Burnett Show as a kid in the late 70s/early 80s, and I am glad to see it on RU-vid now. I had never seen this episode before. I used to really like the Eunice episodes because they are hilarious. I still like them, but as so many have written in their comments, I can now see and feel the reality in them. This episode is a prime example of that.
I think in these skits we can all see our lives in one way or another! Yes we lived through the crap and hopefully came out the other side better than ever. Later we can laugh at these times…. especially when we can relate to them. Actually we can see ourselves in all of these characters! Thank you for the opportunity to see these over and over.They make me smile and tear up at the same time.
Poor Unice being dumped by her husband Ed, on the phone. Mama not giving a crap and Mama being as rude as she can be has Dan (Dick Van Dyke) is caught in the middle of it! Just too funny! Another classic sketch from the "The Carol Burnett Show" loved the "Mama's Family" sketches.
It’s amazing to me how typecast these actors/actresses have become within my childhood memories. Betty White will forever be Rose Nylund from the Golden Girls or Sue Ann Niven from Mary Tyler Moore, and D-Van-D (words youtube doesn’t like) was also the super-nice, smiling husband of Mary Tyler Moore or the plucky chimney Sweep from Mary Poppins, yet, in The Family skits, Betty White plays the most brilliant shady snob, while D-Van-D plays a total weasel. Vicki Lawrence was the youngest of them all, but brilliantly captured all the cantankerousness of the “battle axe” old woman. And even Carol Burnett, who is absolute comedy-royalty, knew her craft so well. She lets us laugh and poke fun at Eunice until the very moment she needed us to take Eunice seriously - and then we did.... and just for a few uncomfortable moments, Eunice’s life is just a little too real, too familiar. The genius from all of them!!
All of these people in The Family-- Ed included-- are fractured humans unable to consistently cope with themselves, to act maturely, to interact with compassion and care for one another. It shouldn't astound me, given how heart-breakingly true to life these amazing sketches were (and are), that so many of the comments in this thread pile up on Eunice (or Mama) and then exonerate Ed (or Eunice). They are ALL developmentally arrested adults. . . and I suppose that those who fail to recognize that must have some of these characters' own myopia in themselves. The challenge is to look in the mirror and see oneself, then to look beyond the mirror, the situation, and see all parties. With compassion and care. With maturity. Meanwhile, what a brilliant, hilarious release valve these sketches have been for so many. May God bless all and show us the way.
@Ucanvance that's just it. I always LOVED the family skits and I think that I love them so much because there's a little bit of the characters in us all. Some more than others. Imo, we're all flawed to some degree. It's also my opinion that Eunice is the result of her upbringing (as most of us are). Mama is a pessimistic narcissist perhaps made that way from her own childhood. Ed knew he didn't have much to offer in life, the store being an extreme accomplishment for him, so he settled for Eunice who he thought was beneath him or equal to him, that way he wouldn't have to worry about the ambition to better himself. Eunice tried and tried and never gave up, but she couldn't quite make any of her dreams come true. No matter what she did for Mama it would never he enough. She could always count on Mama to bring her down with the negative and Mama always came through with that. That's where I can identify with Eunice. My own late mother was sort of like Mama, maybe worse. I firmly believe that our childhood shapes who we will become. I've seen evidence of it many, many times. I read where Carol Burnett loved the family characters, loved playing Eunice, and the characters were very important to her. She's a comedic genius. Well, that's my opinion about the characters of The Family. Nice chatting with you.
@@ellieelizabeth5627 What a wonderful reply! Thank you for taking the time to share with me, and everyone. Take care of yourself and those who love you!
I love watching this show and the spin off called Mama's Family from the 80s! They are good clean entertainment that makes you laugh! These shows were long before my time but I absolutely love watching them no matter how many times I watch them I end up laughing! I love it! ❤❤❤
Watching these Mama’s Family skits brings back good memories. I used to watch this with my grandma and great aunt. My grandma loved this show and got a kick out of Mama.
The skit where Ed, Eunice and Thelma go over to Mickey's apartment for dinner and Mickey divulges Ed gave him a raise and that's why they were able to eat Chinese food that evening and Eunice ranted on about the food allowance Ed gives her being so pitiful and she says she and Thelma are going to leave and Ed tells her to go pretty much gave the hint that the marriage was over, IMO. Loved that she left, then came back and took all the Chinese food tho. LOL!
Carols Husband at the time cheated on her and left her, Harvey knew about it so left the show also as he didn't want to be involved .. when this show ended Carol wanted to continue playing Eunice so she got Mamas family up and running but her ex husband who created and owned all the rights and all the Characters in the Mama's family sketches and show took over and booted her of the show after 6 episodes as he didn't want her anywhere near him after he was a bastard... There was a legal battle over Mama's family and it was cancelled after season 1. Carol and her Husband were both allowed to use the characters in a court ruling..... when Mamma's family was picked up again for a second season...... Carol wanted to set up her own version of Mamas Family and her ex wanted to continue with what we got today...... When Carol wanted to set up her own version and called around everyone wanted to work with her ex husband and that is why they don't talk anymore that is why you never see Carol and Vicky anymore so just like Eunice herself Carol was all alone. Even Rue aka Blanch from the golden girls wanted out after season 1 due to Carols husband.
Talent tike this does not exist anymore. The level of talent to do this length of a skit, and live- is amazing. Name one show today or any actor that can do this? You can't.
Think about the 70% who CHOOSE to have kids & depend on taxpayers to pay their way & raise their kids. Besides, single parents have had to adapt forever when they lose a spouse for ANY reason. You're an adult & you deal with it.
No we're not. That would make Burnett & crew horrible people to write such scripts too, wouldn't it? Shows like this just make it obvious that people like them DO exist. Its how you come through it with life's choices you make CAN make all the difference in how you treat yourself & others. In other words- it's thought provoking.
*A cautionary tale for all spouses.* If you constantly treat your other half like dirt , abusing ,nagging and ridiculing them ,they just might grow a pair and leave your sorry ass.
I have never seen this one before, and wondered if Dan ever turned up more than once, as I knew DVD replaced Harvey on the Carol Burnett show. Just yesterday I saw the 'complete' Password skit, not knowing they ever attempted to continue it after the Siamese elephant bit, but it seems now they did. I always incorrectly thought DVD was portraying Ed Higgins, but I learned years ago I was wrong about that and he was an entirely new character, but I never knew the circumstances of his arrival. I'm really surprised this one skit hasn't been seen more. I do recall skits with Craig Richard Nelson as a shrink Eunice sought to see to deal with her mother, and that provided me with one of Thelma's truly classical lines when she enters the doctor's office while Eunice was in there and declared, "how much longer am I going to have to sit out there like a sack of garbage?" It seems there was one more skit where Eunice tried telling Thelma off and made Thelma cry (as you would expect Thelma to cry) and Eunice had to patch things up then. These must have been on the Carol Burnett & Co. show from '79. Now the next one after that, skipping over Eunice and I suppose Mamma's Family, but a quick check shows Vicki Lawrence didn't appear on the '91 Carol & Co. show, so this last skit I recall (which I think I have seen online) was of Eunice and Thelma going to her father's grave, so I'm willing to bet now that skit was from '79's Carol & Co. WHEW! Correct me if I'm wrong!
The cemetery sketch was from Carol Burnett and Co. This sketch is before the Password sketch....the Eunice at the shrink was from the last CBS. There is a sketch from the 11th year where Eunice is helping Mama move out of her house, ostensibly to move to a retirement condo, but instead moves on with Eunice....
There were only three family sketches with Dick Van Dyke as Dan, this being the first. In the second sketch, Mama visits Eunice and discovers Dan has moved in with her. The third is the famous Password sketch with Tim's elephant story. Van Dyke left the show shortly thereafter and was never seen or mentioned in subsequent family sketches. The remainder of the season included Ellen's anniversary party, a visit from Phillip, and a failed attempt to move Mama into a retirement home. In the final episode of the show, Eunice visits a psychiatrist. All but the second Dan sketch are on RU-vid. I've been looking for it for years!
@patrick m The last one on the Carol Burnett Show was Eunice going to a psychiatrist...then, on her follow up series Carol Burnett and Company, which was a 6 (or so) episode series she did in...1979?...anyway, Vicki was a guest, and they did a Family sketch where Eunice and Mama go to Carl's grave. What you are referring to, where Mama dies, is actually a 90 minute TV movie of the week called Eunice that came on in 1982 (81?)...and Mama dies at the end of that....however, it's success led to her resurrection on what became Mama's Family! You can watch the Eunice special here on RU-vid...they also added it as a bonus feature on S2 (or 3)(me and numbers tonight) of the Mama's Family DVD set.
This is the next episode after the Gong show... Eunice gave Ed the idea to leave, when Ma and Ed called her on the set of the Gong Show she was yelling at them saying that she's never coming home and that she'll buy a mansion with security guards to not permit them on her property. Poor Eunice indirectly gave Ed the idea to start a new life 💔
The Family sketches were the BEST. It lost its "grit and realness" once it went to being a weekly sitcom. Poor Eunice. Mean ass Thelma, lol. This is a good unedited sketch.
A man can only take but so much. But for Ed to have abandoned his boys knowing that their mom and grandmother were completely nuts...what a coward's way to go.
Yeah, that was my one problem with Ed's decision. Poor guy had no choice but to run from those two abusive crazies, but its rotten that he just left his two boys never to see their father again
Best one yet she treated him so bad..never helping at the store never complimented anything he does..man couldn't even watch TV in his own house..couldn't hang out with his friends I so dame happy for Ed it's crazy
The pain of comedy and comedy of pain. How I loved this show and these scenes. I would tape record them and listen again the next day. I would go into theatre because of this show.
If anyone has a good copy of the family going out to the restaurant to eat, it would be great to be seen again. It was here on RU-vid a few years ago, then it disappeared, now there is only one really bad copy where someone has a camera pointed toward a television that is showing the particular episode. Thanks in advance if anyone could share that one again.
The skits always made me laugh. But, I always felt so bad for Eunice. She may have been a bit annoying (character was written), but her whole family made her that way. All she wanted was to be respected and loved, and her family pushed her away and stepped on her.
