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. MAMA’S FAMILY debuted in 1983 on NBC, lasting two seasons before going into syndication for another four years.

Now in Season Three, big changes are afoot in the Harper household as MAMA'S FAMILY switches from NBC to syndication. Vint’s kids Buzz and Sonja are gone, replaced by Bubba Higgins (Allan Kayser), the son of Eunice and Ed. Ken Berry’s Vinton shines in the episode “Soup to Nuts,” in which he must decide who has the best chili recipe—Mama, Naomi (Dorothy Lyman), or Iola (Beverly Archer). Not an enviable position to be in! Hilarity ensues when Iola is so distraught over her cat dying that she goes to great lengths to “preserve” its memory. And an anonymous letter convinces Vinton that he's adopted, so he sets out to find his biological mother… on Mother’s Day.

Includes 6 original, unedited episodes:

Soup to Nuts

Cat’s Meow

Steal One, Pearl Two

Where There’s Smoke

Birthright

It Takes Two to Watusi