Product Review

In the world of prime-time television, success often begets success by way of the spin-off. The Carol Burnett Show lasted eleven seasons on CBS, thanks in part to the recurring comedy sketches that attracted a large, loyal viewership. The Family remained a favorite because fans related to the Harpers constant squabbling about mundane stuff. As the irascible Mama Harper, Vicki Lawrence was wondrously transformed into a full-tilt senior citizen and it wasn t a matter of if, but when, she would get her own TV series.

The Harper Family refutes the old expression there s no such thing as bad publicity when Bubba get a video camera and his heavily-edited footage winds up on Raytown public-access cable TV. Mama could use a personality coach, which might have helped in her campaign against neighbor Iola Boylen for president of the church Lady s League. Despite her crankiness, Thelma Harper is a good person. She does the right thing after the bank ATM spits out $20 bills like a slot machine. Mama, the heroine of Ray Lane, boldly hops aboard the wrecking ball to protect her house and her neighborhood from becoming the site of a new dump.