Mama's Family Episode Guide
Revised 1/3/99.

If anyone has anything to add, please E-Mail me. [email protected]

NBC Episodes
1. "Vint and the Kids Move In"
Vint and his kids lose their house and move in with Mama and Fran, who loses her writing room.
2. "Mama's Silver"
Vint pawns Mama's treasured silver to get Claude (Geoffrey Lewis) out of jail.
3. "For Better or For Worse"
Mama finds out that Vint and Naomi slept together in her basement.
4. "Alien Marriage"
Vint's prenuptial plans include nuptials to a Portugese woman who will pay for American citizenship.
5. "Cellmates"
Mama's surprise party for Eunice at the Bigger Jigger leads to an altercation that lands them both in jail.
6. "The Wedding" (Part 1 of 2)
Vint and Buzz go to a bachelor party while the family women and Naomi prepare for the wedding and get drunk.
7. "The Wedding" (Part 2 of 2)
Vint and Naomi get married, and Eunice angles for solo at the ceremony.
8. "Fran's Dress"
Mama's stressful day is made impossible when she burns a hole in Fran's dress and has to buy a new one before her writer's awards dinner.
9. "Positive Thinking"
Positive thinking tapes turn Eunice into a warm and radiant woman.
10. "Mama's Boyfriend"
The family is upset when Mama has a date with an old flame (William Windon).
11. "Double Standard"
The high school has its Homecoming dance, and Vint lets Buzz stay out an hour later than Sonja.
12. "Mama Gets a Job"
Mama lands a job as a receptionist at a travel agency.
13. "Family Feud"
The family—Mama, Vint, Naomi, Ellen, and Buzz—appears on Family Feud.
14. "A Grave Mistake"
Mama makes a routine visit to her husband Carl's grave, but realizes that the one next to it-supposedly reserved for her-is occupied. Read script
15. "The Mama Who Came to Dinner"
A back spasm leaves Mama stuck on the floor for Vint and Naomi's dinner party.
16. "The Return of Leonard Oates"
One of Naomi's ex's (Jerry Reed) reappears with a determination to bring her back to Florida.
17. "Country Club"
Ellen is honored as Raytown's Woman of the Year, but unfortunately her family is invited to attend.
18. "Ask Aunt Fran"
Fran gets a fill-in job as an advice columnist, but Mama is writing all the smart answers. Conrad Janis guests as Dwight Nettles.
19. "Rashomama"
Ellen, Eunice, and Naomi off three versions, each self-serving, of how Mama got hurt cooking gooseberry jam. Read Script
20. "Amateur Night"
Naomi convinces Vint to do his Fred Astaire routine at the Jigger's talent show. Vint wins and is invited back for a Saturday night show, but he's let the sucess get to his head.
21. "Gert Rides Again"
Mama's cousin Gert (Imogene Coca) was once a sprited woman, but time in an old folks home has left her lifeless.
22. "Naomi and the Stork"
Naomi shows all the signs of pregnancy, but an uncertain reception comes from a house already full.
23. "Flaming Forties"
Mama and the kids turn retro for a school dance, but Mama is disappointed when the others opt for punk. She, however, saves the dance when the punk band is arrested.
24. "Obscene Call"
Naomi receives obscene phone calls.
25. "Ellen's Boyfriend"
The family learns Ellen is dating a younger man.
26. "Harper Versus Harper"
Mama and Naomi go to court after Naomi's vacuum cleaner burns Mama's rug.
27. "Mama Learns to Drive
Mama drives the family crazy because she can't drive and won't learn.
28. "Black Belt Mama"
Mama learns karate after being mugged.
29. "Mama Buys a Car"
Mama buys a car from an old friend, but she got a lemon.
30. "Supermarket
After Mama is seen helping customers at Food Circus while waiting in line, she is hired as head of customer relations where she sets up next to checker Naomi.
31. "No Room at the Inn"
Vint and Naomi get a honeymoon at a lovers' motel, but Mama barges in because she has nowhere else to stay.
32. "Mama's Birthday"
On her birthday, Mama recalls the day she turned 30, which she'd rather forget.
Little Vint: David Friedman
Little Ellen: Amy O'Neill
33. "Mama for Mayor" (Part 1 of 2)
Mama runs for mayor against the smugly incumbent and incompetent mayor of Raytown.
34. "Mama for Mayor" (Part 2 of 2)
Her honor the new mayor discovers there's more to the job than she imagined.
35. "Mama Cries Uncle"
Mama's long lost brother-in-law (Murray Hamilton) arrives and charms everyone except Mama

First-run syndication Episodes
S36. "Farewell, Frannie"
After her sister dies under suspicious circumstances, Mama is determined to give Fran a perfect sendoff.
S37. "Where There's a Will"
Mama must control her temper for two weeks to collect on Fran's will.
S38. "Soup to Nuts"
Mama, Iola, and Naomi have a chili cook-off so Vint can decide whose is best.
S39. "National Mama"
Mama's dreams produce the names of winning race horses.
S40. "Best Medicine"
Mama refuses to resolve a quarrel with Ellen until she finds Ellen in the hospital.
S41. "Fly Naomi"
Naomi decides to become a flight attendant.
S42. "Cat's Meow"
Iola freeze-dries her recently deceased cat.
S43. "An Ill Wind"
A Thanksgiving day tornado traps the Harper family as well as Iola and Effie in Thelma's basement.
S44. "Mama and Dr. Brothers"
Joyce Brothers appears on the show when Naomi needs advice on sex.
S45. "Steal One, Pearl Two"
All leads say that Bubba stole Iola's pearl necklace.
S46. "The Love Letter"
Three different people misinterpret the sender of a love letter.
S47. "Grandma USA"
Mama competes in the Grandma USA competition when she learns the prize is a dream kitchen.
S48. "Where's There's Smoke"
Bubba hides a reform-school escapee in his room. Bonita Rokeke: Yeardley Smith
S49. "Desperately Seeking Anyone"
Mama and Naomi's plan to find a date for Iola backfires when the date is more interested in Mama.
S50. "Porn Again"
When Mama finds a girlie magazine under Bubba's bed, she forms MOP, Mothers Opposing Pornography.
S51. "Santa Mama"
Mama fills in as a mall Santa for an ailing Vint.
S52. "Have it Mama's Way"
Mama and Bubba find themselves working at the same restaurant.
S53. "Birthright"
Vint becomes convinced that he's adopted after he receives an anonymous letter.
S54. "Fangs Alot, Mama"
Vint wants to join The Mystical Order of the Cobra, but Mama warns it will strain his relationship with Naomi.
S55. "Mama's Cousin"
Mama's worldly cousin (Vicki Lawrence in a dual role) annoys Mama with her neverending stories.
S56. "Buck Private Bubba"
Bubba enlists in the Army to impress a girlfriend.
S57. "Mama With the Golden Arm"
Mama emerges as a contender in an arm-wrestling competition.
S58. "It Takes Two to Watusi"
Bubba is a last minute stand-in on a blind date.
S59. "After the Fall"
Mama comes to the aid of Aunt Effie, who fell off the roof.
S60. "The Best Policy"
Vint is the victim of a series of household accidents after he and Naomi take out a large life insurance policy.
S61. "Zirconias Are a Girl's Best Friend"
Mama becomes hooked on the KRAY Teleshopper. Read Script
S62. "Educating Mama"
Mama joins Bubba at night school to get her high school diploma.
S63. "A Room With No View"
The family engages in a frenzied room switch-o-rama.
S64. "The Key to the Crime"
When Vint is arrested for burglary, Mama and Iola become determined to find the real culprit.
S65. "Gift Horse"
Iola finds her hand-made treasures for sale at the Harper's garage sale.
S66. "A Big Hand for Mama"
After nearly being hit by lightning, Mama finds a new outlook on life.
S67. "Teacher's Pet"
Mama tries to become romantic with her night school teacher.
S68. "Child's Play"
The Harpers watch Rev. Meacham's grandson. Eugene-Ryan Bollman
S69. "Flounder's Day"
Mama is determined to sing at Founder's Day, fifty years after she lost the audition.
S70. "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do"
Naomi and Vint wand a separation, but neither can afford it.
S71. "I Do, I Don't"
A wedding prompts three singles (Bubba, Mama, and Iola) to imagine married life.
S72. "Bed and Breakdown"
Mama overbooks her house when she turns it into a hotel for fairgoers.
S73. "Workman's Holiday"
Mama brings Vint his lunch—in his school lunch pail.
S74. "Mama's Girls"
Mama leads a tap dancing routine with other seniors.
S75. "Mama Gets the Bird"
Mama's crazy uncle leaves the family a talking parrot.
S76. "Mama Mania"
Naomi enters a wrestling match with a friend, but Mama becomes her partner when she knocks Naomi's friend out.
S77. "A Friend Indeed"
Iola spends all her time with a new friend.
S78. "Mama Sees Red"
The Harpers host a Soviet exchangee.
S79. "Pomp and Circumstance"
Mama and Bubba will graduate from high school together, but Bubba wants to skip the ceremony.
S80. "The Sins of the Mother"
When Mama finds Bubba drunk, she justifies her harsh punishment by recounting a story of Eunice getting drunk before a church solo.
S81. "Bubba's Double Date"
When his prom date cancels at the last minute, Mama fixes Bubba up with Iola's niece.
S82. "Naomi's Identity Crisis"
Mama tries to make Naomi into a perfect housewife when she gets amnesia.
S83. "Mama on Jeopardy!"
Mama is a contestant on "Jeopardy!" (Alex Trebek guests)
S84. "Hawaii" (Part 1 of 2)
Hawaii kindles romance for Iola and Bubba, and Mama has a man who won't leave her side even if she tried, but Naomi is burned when Vint mistakes bath gel for sunscreen.
S85. "Hawaii" (Part 2 of 2)
The Harper's vacation in Hawaii continues with Mama searching for an exotic pineapple lamp.
S86. "Baby Talk"
Vint and Naomi try to have a baby, and Mama tries to stick them with watching a friend's baby.
S87. "Ladies Choice"
Mama battles Iola for the Church Ladies League Presidency.
S88. "Naomi's New Position"
Naomi expexts a promotion, but her boss expects more than she's willing to give.
S89. "The Really Loud Family"
Bubba films the Harpers for a school project. Read Script
S90. "Many Unhappy Returns"
Mama exchanges a birthday gift that isn't hers.
S91. "Found Money"
An automatic teller machine gives Mama $800 extra.
S92. "My Mama, Myself"
When Mama considers selling her mother's brooch, she remembers her mother who may still be trying to control her life from beyond the grave.
S93. "Full House"
Mama joins Vint's poker game.
S94. "Very Dirty Dancing"
Vint and Naomi enter a dance contest and face competition from Mama. Chick Minnow:
S95. "Bedtime for Bubba"
Mama is suspicious of Bubba's study habits with an attractive classmate.
S96. "What a Dump"
Mama's house is slated to become a landfill.
S97. "Mama Bell"
Mama gets an answering machine, and thinks that the family has plans to put her in a home.
S98. "The Big Wheel"
Iola lucks out when Mama gives her a lottery ticket.
S99. "Mama's Layaway Plan"
Mama is one of two who attend Cousin Ludie's funeral, and she makes arrangements to ensure that doesn't happen to her.
S100. "My Phony Valentine"
Mama fabricates a date for Valentine's Day so Iola won't feel sorry for her.
S101. "Mama in One"
Mama rejoices when she has a weekend to herself, but she finds that family is her life.
S102. "There's No Place Like...No Place"
Mama leads a homeless protest when she and her cousin Cora meet after being arrested.
S103. "April Fools"
Mama gets back at her family for their April Fool's Day pranks.
S104. "More Power to You"
Mama refuses to pay an electric bill that she is protesting.
S105. "Reading the Riot Act"
In one of the few serious (and one of the funniest) Mama's Familys, the Church Ladies League resolves to fire a seemingly incompetent president, until they learn she is illiterate. Read Script
S106. "A Taxing Situation"
Mama is visited by an IRS agent.
S107. "The Mama of Invention"
Mama tries to outfox a con artist who has Vint sold on a shady scheme.
S108. "Hate Thy Neighbor"
Bubba falls in love with the granddaughter of Mama's sworn enemy.
S109. "Dependence Day"
Iola confronts her domineering mother.
S110. "Mama Takes Three"
Mama kills Vint and Naomi's chance to adopt when a psychologist visits with the family.
S111. "Mama's Medicine Show"
Mama's home remedy makes people feel too good.
S112. "An Affair to Forget"
Mama and Iola spy on Vint and his attractive new trainee.
S113. "Mr. Wrong"
Mama shows the door to Iola's rude boyfriend at a dinner party.
S114. "Now Hear This"
Vint installs an intercom which is used for spying purposes.
S115. "Tri-State's Most Wanted"
Mama's romance with an actor ends when she learns his intentions over a TV crime show.
S116. "A Blast From the Past"
Mama's high school reputation and nickname is dredged up at her 50th class reunion.
S117. "Mama Fights Back"
Mama gets her own radio show.
S118. "Psycho Pheno-Mama"
Mama has her doubts when a psychic claims to be communicating with Carl, her dead husband.
S119. "Take My Mama, Please!"
Mama lands a comedy act at the expense of her family on Open Mike Night at the Jigger.
S120. "Mama Takes Stock"
Through a strange series of takeovers, Mama is top shareholder of Kwik Keys, which may be closing.
S121. "Bubba's House Band"
Bubba brings a heavy-metal band to stay with the Harpers.
S122. "War of the Roses"
Iola and Mama compete to grow the prettiest rose.
S123. "Mama Takes a Dive"
Mama sues the bank that turned her down for a loan when she slips on a roll of pennies enroute.
S124. "Mama Gets Goosed"
Mama's goose is cooked when her traditional Christmas main course is befriended by the rest of the Harpers.
S125. "Guess Who's Going to Dinner"
Vint wins a mother's day dinner for two, but he loses because he must invite Mama or Naomi.
S126. "The Big Nap"
Mama's passion for old detective films leads to a parody of them in the case of Iola's Missing Mother.
S127. "Pinup Mama"
A printer's mixup leads Mama to an out-of-body experience at a seniors' dance.
S128. "Look Who's Breathing"
Mama is Naomi's substitute breathing coach.
S129. "There is Nothing Like the Dames"
Mama plans a fancy luncheon to earn a spot in a high-standing social group.
S130. "Bye-Bye -- Baby!"
In the final episode, Naomi goes into labor, and Mama delivers the baby.

If you have more to add to the Episode Guide please E-Mail Me
Return to Menu