MovieChat Forums > Mama's Family (1983) Discussion > Mama seemed more middle aged than elderl...

Mama seemed more middle aged than elderly in the later shows...

posted 9 years ago by RvaBread22
9 replies | jump to latest

One major thing I notice is that in the NBC shows, Mama is played as an old lady- some times fussy and grumpy and a little bit "behind the times". Being that her character is only in her 60s, I guess they tried a different formula later on. When they made her more of a middle aged character and less "old lady" like it seemed to be more age appropriate. Although I always thought her character was supposed to be closer to 70 . But I think they made her more "hip" for younger audiences. I find that is one of the major differences in her character between the network and syndies.

"Life is like a box of Krispy Kreme donuts".

[–] rye9969 9 years ago

Yes - you're right about that change.

It's so hard to realize, but Vicki was younger during season 1 & 2 than I am now (mid 30's).

[–] kurtlodernot 9 years ago

Based on the MeTV promos 67-year-old Vicki now does as "Mama", she would be even more perfect in the role now since she and Thelma are finally the same age.

[–] AdrianLePier 9 years ago

Ridiculous. First of all, Mama was a senior woman, but was never supposed to be considered "elderly." Second of all, she never seemed "middle aged" at any point during the series. She continued wearing that old lady gray hairstyle and dowdy house dress, continued being a conservative church-going grandma and never lost her trademark crotchety quick temper. As time went on, she had more energy and spunk, but guess what? Some 60-somethings actually DO have energy, are colorful and mobile. Mama was no more 'middle-aged'-seeming towards the end than The Golden Girls.

[–] RvaBread22 8 years ago

Well, I always felt that middle aged was people in their mid 50s to about age of 70, at least IMO. Regardless of life expectancy- it has more to do with the social implications and general vibe of the person

Interesting though how you differenciate between elderly and Senior. I think that is a good idea too. I guess most people expect Elderly folks to be using a walker and bent over and ready to meet the Lord, lol. I think its the same way as "The Golden Girls" IMO, they really were more middle age, or late middle aged than truly "golden" , except for Sophia. I never cared for that show though.

"Life is like a box of Krispy Kreme donuts".

[–] tinkerbell_jonna 8 years ago

Generally middle age is considered to be between ages 40 and 60, and I agree, Mama did act more middle age in the later episodes...even more like a TEEN sometime... Was there ANY pop cultural reference she wasn't familiar with? Most older ppl have no idea about things like that.

[–] RvaBread22 8 years ago

40 seems awfully young to be middle aged. I thought it was the 50 somethings and 60 somethings.

"Life is like a box of Krispy Kreme donuts".

[–] tinkerbell_jonna 8 years ago

I agree with the OP,I know in LOOKS Mama was a senior, BUT I think she acted more middle age..sometimes even more like a teen lol "I'm practicing to be a GOGO dancer!" ~~Puts tassels on her breasts and tries to swing them~~ ~Jumps on a wrecking ball~ She is familiar with all the currant day pop cultures expressions and things, etc... I never knew many seniors like that.

In the later episodes, Mama seems to me like Vickie Lawrance in a gray wig lol

[–] RvaBread22 8 years ago

Yes, my thoughts exactly. She seemed more like Vicki Lawrence, where you couldn't really tell the character of Mama from who was playing her and where the two end. In the earlier Seasons, she seemed completely in character.

"Life is like a box of Krispy Kreme donuts".

[–] Tatmanlulu_BACK 8 years ago

Well you don't have to be a teen to act goofy and immature though. Just ask Donald Trump. Lol! I could see Trump doing all those things and he's older than Mama. That said, I do agree that Mama acted a lot younger in the syndicated years. Although, I actually thought it was funny when young Vicki was acting more like an old woman and the irony of it all was captured. For example, take the episode where Mama threw her back out in the NBC version and this was portrayed as a common occurrence and Mama told Vinton he had to take this certain procedure and just LIE HER ON THE FLOOR. Rofl! That was comedy genius. Mama ends up on the floor the whoke episode embarrassing Vinton and his friends. That to me is funniee than more spunky young acting Mama jumping up and down and embarrassing Vinton and Naomi in the adoption counseller episode. Now if she had pulled her back like an old woman, needed a oxygen max and had to be lied on the couch, I think it would have been funnier. So in ways u have to appreciate more older acting NBC mama just because of the irony.