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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 11 - Alien Marriage
    6.4/10(130 votes)

    S1:E11

    Claude, having come up with another hair brained scheme, tells Vint that he has a good deal, and Vint could make $1600 (and Claude will make $400 for a finders fee). The plan is for Vint to marry a girl from Portugal who needs her green card to stay in the country. The Family finds out accidently, when Mr. Costa and Zenada drop by for an unannounced visit. It seems Zenada will have to stay with the family for a few days to make it look like a real marriage. Which Mama is of course flat out refusing to let her do. Mama is out bringing in the laundry, when Naomi comes over to complain about the sap falling on her car from Mama's tree. When Mama tells her about the marriage, and she tells Mama how illegal it is and how she saw it on 60 minutes. Seems Vint could get a felony for false marriage if he goes threw with it. Claude and the bride to be stop by to drop off her roll-a-way bed and a few of her things. When Mama starts screaming and manages to explain a few things. Vint begins to rea

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Mama's Family Season 1 Episode 13 - Mama's Silver
    7.2/10(124 votes)

    S1:E13

    Mama's going on about Vint's friend Claude being a bum and everything, when Ellen finally brings Mama's silver back. Mama wants Vint to put it up right then, so no one will steal it. But he first gets a call from Claude, who needs a favor. Seems Claude got in a bar fight and he's locked up in jail and needs $250 for his bail. Vint catches Ellen before she leaves and asks her, but she refuses. So he pawns Mama's silver to get the money. The next morning Mama goes to put some stuff away in the closet and discovers it's gone. She wakes Vint up and he admits he took it and pawned it. Blowing her top Mama tells Vint to get her silver back and he then tells her why he needed the money. That only serves to get her madder. In the midst of the screaming match, Vint decides to leave, and Sonya says she can stay with Nancy. So Vint goes to the basement to pack his stuff, but Mama can't stand to see him go and calls him back upstairs and in their own way they make peace, at least for a few moments

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Mama's Family Season 5 Episode 18 - There's No Place Like...No Place
    7.2/10(88 votes)

    S5:E18

    Bubba's off to a rally for the homeless, as Mama and Iola are off to the Rayplex, while Vint and Naomi are headed out to route five to see the new housing development. Mama gives Bubba $20 just in case he needs it and then he accidently packs her wallet in his back pack and heads out. She only notices this as her and Iola are leaving. So Mama heads for the rally to get her wallet back and Iola heads for the theatre. But Mama gets arrested along with the the other's at the rally and gets locked up, even though she tries to convince them she's not homeless. The phone is busy when she calls home so she's out of luck and into the cell she goes. Where she discovers that the people there are much like her, including her Cousin Cora.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Mama's Family Season 1 Episode 8 - Double Standard
    7.3/10(121 votes)

    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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  5. Mama's Family Season 4 Episode 9 - Mama Mania
    7.3/10(104 votes)

    S4:E9

    Didi, an old friend of Naomi's and a professional wrestler, talks Naomi into being a last-minute substitute for her ailing tag-team partner for a match. When Mama accidentally knocks Didi out just before the match, Naomi and Mama have to wrestle against Didi's weighty opponents.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Mama's Family Season 5 Episode 2 - Baby Talk
    7.3/10(78 votes)

    S5:E2

    Mama and Iola are working hard on a homemade quilt to enter an upcoming contest when Iola comments about the house being so quiet lately. Vint and Naomi arrive home from visiting a friend of their's who just had a baby girl. Which gives Naomi the idea that she wants one too. Mama's dead set against the idea and makes it clear to Vint about her feelings. When that bit of pushing fells to get through. Mama decides to give them a taste of what having a baby is like. So, thinking they have a day off, she sets a little plan into motion to discourage them. Namely asking to babysit for one of her neighbors, who has a baby with a real penchant for high pitched crying. Problem is Naomi and Vint have decided to go into work late, leaving Mama to baby sit little Garth. It's a chore to finally get him to stop crying, but every time Mama gets him to be quiet someone slams a door and he starts again. In the end, Mama is wore out and falls asleep right as Naomi and Vint come in.

    Director:Dave Powers
    Writer:Rick Hawkins

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  7. Mama's Family Season 1 Episode 9 - Mama's Boyfriend
    7.4/10(117 votes)

    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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  8. Mama's Family Season 2 Episode 4 - Naomi and the Stork
    7.4/10(92 votes)

    S2:E4

    Naomi's ailing and all the signs point to her the Stork being on the way for her and Vint. A fact that Mama is the first to discover, after administering ""Aunt Ida's Tater Masher Test"". Naomi is hesitant to tell Vint, because he wanted to wait to start their family until they get their own place. Mama accidently spills the beans to Buzz and Sonya, who think it's great. But Fran is worried how they can manage having another person in the house. Vint's surprisingly favorable reaction to the news, prompts a discussion as to were it will be sleeping. A screaming match results as no one wants to give up their room. Naomi,wanting to make sure she is pregnant, makes an appointment.The doctor runs some tests and tells her to wait. One by one the family arrives at the doctor's office, First Mama and then Vint, followed Buzz and Sonya, lastly Fran. All have ideas on what they should do for the baby. Mama settle it by saying the babies bunking with her. Unfortunately come to find out, it was a

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Katherine Green

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  9. Mama's Family Season 2 Episode 9 - Amateur Night
    7.4/10(102 votes)

    S2:E9

    Mama, Fran and Naomi take Vint to the Bigger Jigger to try and cheer him up over not getting a promotion at Kwik Keys. Naomi then convinces Vint to do his Fred Astaire routine for the Jigger's talent show. She rushes home to get his costume and sheet music and arrives back to find him nervous and about to quit. But after some urging from Naomi he goes on and he's a smash hit and wins the contest, along with the $100 prize and is invited back for the Saturday night show But Vint let's the little success go to his head. He first buys a new jump suit and changes his stage name to ""Vinnie Vegas"". Even going so far as to change his routine to something completely different. Mama and Fran (who he fired) refuse to go and after he tells Naomi to act like one of his groupies and not his wife, she stays home to. But Mama, Fran and Naomi soon realize how big a flop he's gonna be and they rush to the Bigger Jigger to stop him. They arrive in time and Mama pulls him into the men's bathroom, which f

    Director:Dick Martin
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Mama's Family Season 5 Episode 17 - Mama in One
    7.4/10(94 votes)

    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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  11. Mama's Family Season 5 Episode 21 - A Taxing Situation
    7.4/10(80 votes)

    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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  12. Mama's Family Season 1 Episode 1 - Vint and the Kids Move In
    7.5/10(187 votes)

    S1:E1

    Mama's in a hurry to get to the mall for a sale and tries to hurry Fran along to finish eating. But before that can happen Fran's boss at the newspaper calls. Telling her she has to come in and re-edit her latest story. Mama is obviously upset because she can't drive and has no way to get to the sale. Meanwhile Vinton, Mama's only son, drops by the house and announces that he and the kids have been evicted from their house. Now he's hoping that he, his daughter Sonja, and his son Buzz, can stay with Mama until he gets back on his feet. Against Fran's wishes Mama agrees. Vint gets the basement, Buzz gets the attic, and Sonja gets Fran's writing studio because she refuses to sleep on the couch. Fran is outraged by this, and her and Mama have a huge argument about it. Fran's mood turns even more sour when she finds out Sonja stumbled up on the book that she'd been working on recently and reads it. Fran says it's an invasion of her privacy and finally makes the decision that she'll move out. Because she can't take the stress anymore. Of course Mama had no idea that Fran was actually writing in her studio. But later as things settle down a bit, her and Mama have a heart to heart and she changes her mind and decides to stay after all.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Dick Clair

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  13. Mama's Family Season 2 Episode 8 - Gert Rides Again
    7.5/10(107 votes)

    S2:E8

    Mama's cousin Gert (Imogene Coca) was once a sprited woman, but time in an old folks home has left her lifeless.

    Director:Dick Martin
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Mama's Family Season 2 Episode 13 - Mama Buys a Car
    7.5/10(101 votes)

    S2:E13

    Mama finally decides to buy herself a car after her meals on wheels job falls through because she can't find a ride.So she takes the thousand dollars she has saved and goes shopping for a car. She sees an ad in the newpaper for ""Willie Potts Used Cars"", Vint says he knows him, because he used to live just around the block. Mama remembers that Willie used to love her Oatmeal cookies, so in hopes of getting a deal, she bakes him a bag full. Arriving at the lot, Willie acts as though he doesn't remember them at all, but offers to paint any car on the lot blue for Mama, when she says she wants a blue car, but she refuses saying it had to be born blue. She finally finds one to her liking, talks Willie down from the initial price of $1500 dollars to her maximum price of $1000. Unfortuantely the car turns out to be a real ""Lemon"" and Willie refuses to give her money back. So Mama walks in on an important meeting with Willie and the head of Ray Corp, Oscar Babcock, whose planning to buy a whol

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Mama's Family Season 4 Episode 11 - Workman's Holiday
    7.5/10(81 votes)

    S4:E11

    When Mama traumatizes Vinton at work with the "Binky Bunny" lunchbox she made for him when he was a kid, she must find a way to cure him of his trauma before he loses his job.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Mama's Family Season 4 Episode 12 - Mama Sees Red
    7.5/10(97 votes)

    S4:E12

    A man from the State Department asks the Harpers to host a Russian national named Olga for one day as part of "Project Heartland."

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Mama's Family Season 5 Episode 23 - Hate Thy Neighbor
    7.5/10(86 votes)

    S5:E23

    Mama's sworn enemy and next door neighbor, Fred Gebhart blows leafs back into Thelma's yard which starts a screaming match that has to be broken up by Iola.She then makes Bubba rake up the leafs,where he meets Fred's grand daughter Terri,who just moved to Raytown.The attraction is instant between them. After only two dates Bubba and Terri announce their getting married.Which makes both Fred and Thelma insist they break up.Vint and Naomi think it's great as does Iola,as this becomes the topic of conversation until Thelma can't handle it anymore. Fred then comes to visit and they come to realize that since their gonna be in-laws they had better try to settle the feud.It comes out that the whole fued had nothing to do with them,it was actually there spouses who did everything.So they bury the hatchet.

    Director:Dave Powers
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Mama's Family Season 6 Episode 11 - Mama Takes Stock
    7.5/10(84 votes)

    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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  19. Mama's Family Season 6 Episode 13 - Mama Takes a Dive
    7.5/10(84 votes)

    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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  20. Mama's Family Season 2 Episode 1 - Flaming Forties
    7.6/10(125 votes)

    S2:E1

    Buzz and Sonya are the organizers of a dance to raise funds to build a new gym at the high school. They get an idea after finding some of Mama's old stuff from the attic and hearing her stories about the Gym, and the way it was used as the Raytown U.S.O during the War. They wanna use Mama's stuff and have a 40's theme for the dance. But the other member's of the committee decide they would rather have a Punk Rock theme instead and hire a hot new band called Medication. Mama's disappointed and let's them take her stuff to be sold at the junk sale. Only after later talking to Fran does she realize how much the stuff really means to her. So her and Fran hurry to the gym to try and save her stuff from being sold. Only to find out the band got arrested (again) and won't be able to play after all. They need to save the dance, so she plays some of her records and everyone has a surprisingly good time.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Mama's Family Season 2 Episode 12 - Black Belt Mama
    7.6/10(115 votes)

    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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  22. Mama's Family Season 2 Episode 17 - Mama for Mayor (2)
    7.6/10(102 votes)

    S2:E17

    Mama and the whole family attend the Inauguration ceremony as the Mayor prepares to swear Mama in as the New Mayor of Raytown.Vint interupts things by trying in vain to take a picture several times.Thus upsetting the Mayor and he leaves. Mama takes over as Mayor and it soon becomes clear she is unprepared for the job.Her first council meeting turns into a free for all,with Mama unable to make a decision or knowing exactly what's she supposed to do. Soon enough the whole town is in an uproar.There's a garbage strike and a transit walkout after Thelma suggest they drop all senior citizens off at there doors.Plus the boyscouts are mad at her too and others are calling for her resignation. Ellen hears about the mess on the radio and her and Mayor Tutwiller come to the rescue.He sends a pound of chocalate to the Boy Scouts and settles the garbage and Transit strikes.Mama realizes she doesn't have what it takes to be Mayor so she soon resigns her post.Telling the council she pressing family

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Mama's Family Season 2 Episode 22 - A Grave Mistake
    7.6/10(106 votes)

    S2:E22

    Mama can't get anyone to go with her to Carl's grave, so she goes by herself. After arriving and having a long talk with Carl, Mama notices that the grave next to Carl's, that was supposed to be reserved for her, has another women's name on it instead. She panics and rushes home. Ellen arrives an hour late (as usual) to take Mama to the cemetary, just as Mama comes in and tells everyone what she's just discovered. Fran and Mama soon head back to the cemetary to get the problem cleared up. It turns out Carl's head stone was accidently placed two plots down. So Mama feels like she's been cheating on Carl and says Carl has to send her a gift to let her know, it's ok. Meanwhile, Sonya goes out with a loser named Michael and he ends up flirting with a sophomore cheerleader who likes him and Sonya dumps him. He then shows up with flowers and after Sonya refuses to talk to him, he gives the flowers to Mama. Who takes it as Carl's sign that everything's ok.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Mama's Family Season 3 Episode 10 - Steal One, Pearl Two
    7.6/10(96 votes)

    S3:E10

    Bubba wants to borrow $200 to buy a new drum set, while Iola's upset that she can't get her jewelry box open to put her pearls away, so she brings the box over for Vint to open. When he can't, Bubba quickly borrows a bobby pin and opens it easily. Iola heads home only to return a few minutes later in search of her beloved pearls, which have mysteriously disappeared. Iola is quick to accuse Bubba, who comes in with a brand new drum set, claiming he borrowed them from a friend of a friend who's name he forgets. Pretneding to defend Bubba, Mama throws Iola out. Now convinced, she too accuses Bubba. Feeling betrayed by his own family Bubba attempts to run away from home. She finds him at the ""Rayhound"" station and tells him the story of what happened when Eunice tried ran away.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Mama's Family Season 3 Episode 12 - Fly Naomi
    7.6/10(98 votes)

    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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Worst Episodes Summary

"Alien Marriage" is the worst rated episode of "Mama's Family". It scored 6.4/10 based on 130 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 4/2/1983. This episode scored 0.8 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Mama's Silver".