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The Worst Episodes of Mama's Family

Every episode of Mama's Family ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Mama's Family!

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Thelma Harper and her spinster sister Fran open their home to Thelma's recently divorced son Vinton and his teenage son and daughter. It's quite an adjustment for everyone, especially the cranky, argumentative Thelma.

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  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Mama's Family Season 1 Episode 6 - Cellmates
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #1 - Cellmates

    S1:E6

    Mama, Vint and Ed throw Eunice a suprise birthday party at the bigger jigger, problem is she's hoping for a trip to the Babalonian Roof Gardens. The birthday party soon turns ugly as Vint mentions Duke Reeves (he has a poster on the bar announcing his run for congress), who came to the house one day with flowers wanting to take Eunice out for a soda. But Mama turned him down and sent him away. Eunice starts making a huge scene about Duke being the only man she's ever loved. Vint goes to pick up Naomi and Ed goes to read the bathroom walls, when the argument escalates into an all out fight, and Eunice ends up punching a cop out and Mama wacks one with her pocket book and Mama and Eunice end up in jail. Scarlet, a hooker, arrives soon after they do and their fighting soon gets on her nerves and she tries to mediate a truce. She then tells them about her Mama and how she hated her every day, until she died and how she wished she was still living. Mama and Eunice make up just as Ed comes t

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Dick Clair

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  2. Mama's Family Season 1 Episode 8 - Double Standard
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #2 - Double Standard

    S1:E8

    Buzz and Sonya are getting ready for the the high school's Homecoming dance, when Vint tells the kids they both have to be in by midnight. Both complain, but Sonya (who's older) doesn't understand why she has the same curfew as Buzz. Vint says it's because she's a girl. Later Vint tells Buzz to take an extra hour if he wants. Which really upsets Sonya when she finds out, she tells Vint that she might not be back on time and storms out with her date. Vint, Mama and Fran are sitting up waiting to see if Sonya will be home on time. When Buzz comes home an hour before midnight, seems his date thought he was a jerk and dumped him for a football player. Just as Vint is getting worried, Sonya shows up still pissed and screams at Vint again. She storms off again into the kitchen and Mama follows where she finds out, Sonya had to come home, because her date had a curfew of midnight himself.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Mama's Family Season 1 Episode 9 - Mama's Boyfriend
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #3 - Mama's Boyfriend

    S1:E9

    Mama is all dressed up as Fran gets back from the store and she wonders ""Who Died?"", Sonya soon asks the same question, before Mama reveals she has a date with an old beau she hasn't seen in some 40 years. Much to the family's objections Mama goes out with her old him. After staying out most of the night on there first date and having such a great time, not to mention worrying poor old Fran half to death. Woody asked Thelma to go up to the lake with him like they did 40 years ago. She readily excepts to everyone's surprise. The family protests, most notably Vint, but Mama goes anyway. When they reach the cabin Mama gets nervous and starts an argument much like she did 40 years ago. After discussing the situation over a beer they both decide they made the right decision so long ago and end up coming home earlier than either had planned.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Mama's Family Season 3 Episode 12 - Fly Naomi
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #4 - Fly Naomi

    S3:E12

    Unhappy with the rut she's gotten into, Naomi decides to make a change and arrives home with the news that, after seeing an ad in the paper, she's decided to attend school to train as a flight attendant. Vint gets upset because she didn't ask him first. While, Bubba joins the debate team to be near a girl he likes. Naomi aces her first exam, which only serves to make Vint more upset. With a growing rift between Vint and Naomi, Iola tries to make her move and asks Vint to have ice cream with her one night. What Vint views as innocent, Mama see clearly as Iola trying to get her claws into Vint and tells him so in no uncertain terms. Naomi tries to get everyone in the family to help her train for that night's big test, but the only one who will is Mama.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Ann Elder

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  5. Mama's Family Season 5 Episode 17 - Mama in One
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #5 - Mama in One

    S5:E17

    Trying to update the church's phone directory is hard enough, but having to do it with everyone running in and out is impossible. But fortunately for Mama her wishes of a quite house are answered. First Bubba announces that he's pledging a fraternity called ""Sigma Alpha Pie"" or ""SAP"" and will be away all weekend. Then Iola asks Mama to watch her goldfish for the weekend while she takes her parents on a trip. Vint gets a call next and he and Naomi are invited to use a friends cabin all weekend. Mama anticipates a few days of peace all alone, but after finishing the update on the phone directory and realizing the Tv is on the blink and not being able to read, she is totally consumed with boredom. So much so that she starts talking to the goldfish, while also over feeding him. Not to mention reorganizing the kitchen is a complete failure as she ends up out on the front Porch ""Singing in the Rain"" literally.

    Director:Dave Powers
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Mama's Family Season 5 Episode 21 - A Taxing Situation
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #6 - A Taxing Situation

    S5:E21

    Vint and Naomi are doing their taxes while Bubba works on Mama's, but their using the long form and she's using the short. So they figure out they'll get a $300 refund, while Bubba tells Mama she'll owe $250.T hat is until she starts listing items she could deduct. Like pies she made for the bake sale and clothes she gave away for a rummage sale.

    Director:Dave Powers
    Writer:Neil Lebowitz

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  7. Mama's Family Season 6 Episode 11 - Mama Takes Stock
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #7 - Mama Takes Stock

    S6:E11

    Vinton learns that he is about to lose his job because Kwik Keys is being shut down by the new owners, a corporation called Bernice. When Bubba discovers that an old stock certificate Mama owns is now ten shares of Bernice, she sets out to save Vinton's job.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Mama's Family Season 6 Episode 13 - Mama Takes a Dive
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #8 - Mama Takes a Dive

    S6:E13

    When Mama slips on a roll of pennies in the bank, the family suggests that she sue the bank. To this end, she hires a sleazy lawyer Settlement Sam and fakes serious injuries.

    Director:Dave Powers
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Mama's Family Season 6 Episode 15 - The Big Nap
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #9 - The Big Nap

    S6:E15

    After watching detective movies on TV for a week, and hearing that Iola's mother is missing, Mama dreams that she is a film noir-style detective hired to find her client's mother.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Mama's Family Season 1 Episode 2 - For Better or For Worse
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #10 - For Better or For Worse

    S1:E2

    After many years of not seeing each other, since high school, Vinton and Mama's next door neighbor Naomi Oates are reunited. They become quite close and Vint tells her that he had a big crush on her in high school. After coming home from the Bigger Jigger at 2 in the morning, Naomi and Vint go down to the basement to look at Vint's collection of TV Guides (25 years worth). Naomi remarks on how cute Mr. Ed is because that was her favorite show. They end up sleeping together and the next morning, while Mama and Fran are in the kitchen having breakfast, Naomi attempts to sneak out and is caught. Mama throws a fit and is outraged at Vint. Naomi, who had just sold her house, asks Vint to come with her to Arizona to run a trailer park because the job wants a husband and wife. Vint agrees and lets everyone know that he and Naomi plan on getting married and moving to Arizona. Mama is so shocked that she tells them that they can have the wedding at her house.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Liz Sage

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  11. Mama's Family Season 2 Episode 12 - Black Belt Mama
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #11 - Black Belt Mama

    S2:E12

    Naomi gets home from her self defense class all fired up and Fran and Sonya decide to go next time.But Mama refuses saying it's a waste of time and there's no need for it.Although she's scared to go to her bingo games anymore. So Naomi,Sonya and Fran head to there Karate class and Mama to her Bingo.But Mama never makes it to Bingo as she is mugged while waiting for the bus.She gets home still shaking and clutching her purse strap.And quickly decides she too will join the Karate class,where Naomi is the star pupil.And Sonya is falling in love with Chuck,the instructor.Mama finds it tough to fit in. A while later Mama returns to the same bus stop where she meets an elderly lady and begins telling her about the classes and how she was mugged.When the same mugger attacks again,but he turns his back to take the other womens purse and Mama wacks him in the head with her purse which is loaded with a light weight Iron.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Mama's Family Season 3 Episode 3 - Best Medicine
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #12 - Best Medicine

    S3:E3

    Mama is the editor of the years church bazaar cookbook, in it she plans to use her own recipe for Chili. Iola objects thinking it should be hers that Mama uses. Soon Naomi too throws her hat in the ring, saying she makes the best Chili. So the three decide to have to a chili cook-off with the winner getting her recipe in the cookbook. Vint, being stuck in the middle of this brewing argument, is choosen, against his will, as the judge of the contest. All three have identical supplies, with Mama and Iola also have identical ingredients. While Naomi's chili is far different from the other two as it includes two giant cans of store bought chili, plus beer, cheetos and several other items not usually associated with chili. Each bringing back a certain memory from one of her ex-husbands or boyfriends. Each bowl is lettered as the contest begins and Vint decides the 'B' bowl is the best, which belongs to Iola, and she runs home to show her father and dare her mother to throw it out again.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Mama's Family Season 3 Episode 7 - Cat's Meow
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #13 - Cat's Meow

    S3:E7

    Iola is distraught when her cat Midnight dies,although everyone else is thankful,noting that the cat was as mean as a rattlesnake. But Iola refuses to let go and nothing can console her---until she decides to have it freeze-dried.She goes all out and buys a model that meows when you pet it.She leaves it with Mama for a while and Mama takes it out to the front porch and leaves it. That's where Vint falls on it as he, Naomi and Bubba are bringing in a trunk they just bought from the police surplus. Thinking they killed the cat, they bury it,and go into to open the trunk.Which has a hole on the side of it and is the home of a Mama cat and her kittens.One of which looks just like Iola's former pet who adopts it immediately.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Mama's Family Season 3 Episode 8 - The Love Letter
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #14 - The Love Letter

    S3:E8

    Naomi is giving Bubba and Vint a love test to see how romantic they are,from the latest issue Lady's Circle.As it turns out Vint is a ""cold fish"" and Bubba is a ""Red Hot Romeo"". Vint decides to try and be more romantic and gets Bubba to.write a romantic letter to Naomi

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Mama's Family Season 3 Episode 9 - An Ill Wind
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #15 - An Ill Wind

    S3:E9

    The Harpers, Iola and Aunt Effie must go.for cover in the basement when a tornado passes through Raytown on Thanksgiving.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Mama's Family Season 3 Episode 11 - Where There's Smoke
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #16 - Where There's Smoke

    S3:E11

    Thelma invites Reverend Meecham to dinner in the hopes of being named the president of the Church Ladies League. However, a surprise visitor of Hubby's throws a hitch into her plans.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Mama's Family Season 3 Episode 13 - Santa Mama
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #17 - Santa Mama

    S3:E13

    Vinton is chosen to play Santa @ the Raytown Mall. However, with too much practice, he loses his voice! So Mama fills in the last second as Santa Claus. She deals with many brats, but was touched by a little girl who wanted tools for her unemployed daddy. Mama's also upset that her star's missing (the one her husband made for her on their 1st Christmas).

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Mama's Family Season 3 Episode 19 - Buck Private Bubba
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #18 - Buck Private Bubba

    S3:E19

    Vint's former Army Sergeant comes to town and recruits Bubba, who enlists after his girlfriend breaks up with him.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Mama's Family Season 4 Episode 19 - Mama on Jeopardy!
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #19 - Mama on Jeopardy!

    S4:E19

    Mama finds herself competing on Jeopardy!

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Mama's Family Season 4 Episode 21 - Mama Goes Hawaiian - Part 2
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #20 - Mama Goes Hawaiian - Part 2

    S4:E21

    Vint's dumb luck gets Mama dragged to a party with the "beach bum" she's been trying to avoid.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Mama's Family Season 4 Episode 25 - Pomp and Circumstance
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #21 - Pomp and Circumstance

    S4:E25

    Mama and Bubba will graduate from high school together, but Bubba wants to skip the ceremony.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Mama's Family Season 5 Episode 1 - Ladies Choice
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #22 - Ladies Choice

    S5:E1

    Mama's reign as the Church Ladies League President only has two weeks to go and being that it's limited to one term Mama needs someone to nominate her for a second term. So she drafts Iola to take on the CCL's power broker in Alberta Meechum. but it doesn't quite go as planned as a very nervous Iola stumbles through her nomination of Mama. Thelma versus Iola Alberta makes it clear that she thinks it's unfair to ask anyone to carry the load of being president for another two years. So in a shocking twist she nominates Iola and it's soon decided to have an election. The campaign turns nasty quick and Mama challenges Iola to a public debate.

    Director:Dave Powers
    Writer:Jim Evering

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  23. Mama's Family Season 5 Episode 3 - Naomi's New Position
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #23 - Naomi's New Position

    S5:E3

    Naomi's on top of the world with the news that she has an interview for the now vacant Assistant Manager's job at Food Circus. While Vint worries if she gets the job she'll never be home. All of this is because a new manager (Archie Woods) has taken over and begins to shakes things up, including firing the old Assistant Manager. Naomi arrives for her interview full of new ideas for the store. Problem is there are several job requirements that she didn't count on when she applied. Like, for instance, having to make it with Mr. Woods if she wants the promotion or for that matter to even keep her old checkers job. She's horrified and it takes a while before she can explain to Mama and Iola what exactly happened.

    Director:Dave Powers
    Writer:Dorothy Van

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  24. Mama's Family Season 5 Episode 5 - Many Unhappy Returns
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #24 - Many Unhappy Returns

    S5:E5

    It's the day before Mama's birthday and Vint decides to make her a present instead of buying her something. It ends up being a really ugly cocktail belt, which Bubba's not sure what to think of when he sess it. A little later, a knock comes at the front door and it's Vint's boss, Mr. Carstairs. He wants Vint to hold on to a gift he bought for his ""Mother"", his pet name for his wife. A $200 diamond bracelet. The problem's start when Mama finds it and thinks it's for her after she reads the card and it says ""to my darling mother."" So not being able to except such an expensive gift she takes it back to the store and exchanges it. Buying gifts for everyone else in the process. Bubba gets an LP, Naomi gets her bed sheets and Vint's get the watch he wanted.

    Director:Dave Powers
    Writers:Sydney A. Blake, Bill Braunstein

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  25. Mama's Family Season 5 Episode 7 - My Mama, Myself
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #25 - My Mama, Myself

    S5:E7

    Iola arrives to collect for the church rummage sell. While Naomi and Vint have nothing, Mama is looking through her jewelry case. Soon finding her dear departed mother's old brouch. Naomi comments that it may be worth some serious money. Bubba then comes in and annouces his college class is going to Oswald Caverns and it'll only cost two hundred bucks. Which Mama refuses to give him. Naomi and Vint convince Mama to let them have the brouch appraised and that's when the ghost of ""Grandma Crowley"" appears to Mama and tells her not to sell her it. Later, as Vint and Naomi leave for the jewelers. Iola shows up and is spooked to hear the story of the ghost. Vint and Naomi arrive back and say the brouch could be worth $1600. Mama demands they go back and get it, so she rushes them through dinner, where Bubba announces he got a job to pay for his trip (which he ends up getting fired at). Iola returns to inform Mama about her findings in the latest issue of a psychology magazine.

    Director:Dave Powers
    Writers:Sydney A. Blake, Bill Braunstein

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Cellmates" is the worst rated episode of "Mama's Family". It scored 8/10 based on 2 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Dick Clair, it aired on 2/26/1983. This episode scored 0.0 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Double Standard".