The real reason why Carol Burnett began limiting her appearances as Eunice in Mama's Family

Burnett was more than a friend to Lawrence; she was a teacher.

Warner Brothers

An actor doesn't just earn the respect of other actors because of their talent. The best actors are inquisitive, and kind, and use their power for good.

That last part makes it seem as though we're talking about a superhero. But for many people, their favorite actors are superheroes, idols that they aspire to become.

For Vicki Lawrence, her own personal superhero was Carol Burnett. Lawrence was chosen to join the cast of The Carol Burnett Show when she was just a young woman, but Burnett saw something special in her.

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Of course, Burnett's assumption was correct; Lawrence became a famed comedian, and while it all started with The Carol Burnett Show, Lawrence's talent was cemented in her very own series, Mama's Family.

While Burnett certainly had a hand in the creation of Mama's Family, Lawrence revealed that Burnett was using the series as a learning opportunity to teach Lawrence how to stand on her own.

During an interview with the Akron Beacon Journal, Lawrence revealed that Burnett was limiting her appearances in the series. Burnett had become known for playing Eunice Harper Higgins, a recurring character at the beginning of Mama's Family that gradually faded away.

Lawrence revealed that Burnett was limiting her appearances on Mama's Family to make sure that Lawrence understood how to run her series properly.

"She's pushing me out of the nest," said Lawrence. "She wants me to fly."

Luckily, Lawrence had years of comedic training from Burnett during her time on the variety series. "I kind of think of myself as a Harvard graduate," said Lawrence. "After 11 years on The Carol Burnett Show, I've got to be good or people will say I'm no good without Carol."

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9 Comments

professorecho 1 month ago
Mama’s Family made no effort to establish Vicki Lawrence looking like an old lady. They put a grey wig on her head and glasses and that was the extent of it. Who believed this was an old granny? She looked younger than the actors playing her kids.
Gianni862 1 month ago
Vicki was certainly able to handle her own show... she was a pro and the show was pretty funny and had a successful run...
tootsieg 1 month ago
I like the Mama’s Family episodes with “Eunice” in them.
Wiseguy70005 1 month ago
I heard that after Carol Burnett divorced Joe Hamilton she didn't want to appear on a show that was a JHP (Joe Hamilton Production).
MrsPhilHarris 1 month ago
Dreadful show imo.
Gianni862 MrsPhilHarris 1 month ago
why bother saying something negative. You have nothing better to do?
Beatseeker Gianni862 1 month ago
agree with my thots, or i'll take my football home ... that it?!?
I agree. I never saw any appeal to it, just stereotypical hicks with dubious southern accents and Ma & Pa Kettle level jokes.
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