
Thelma "Mama" Harper is the quick-tempered, blue-haired matriarch of the Harper family who lives with son Vint and his wife, Naomi, who were forced to move into Mama's basement after losing money in a business deal gone awry. After Vint's kids from a previous marriage leave the house, Mama's delinquent grandson Bubba is ordered to live with his grandmother after being released from juvenile hall and placed on probation. Iola Boylen, Thelma's friend and neighbor, is a frequent visitor to the Harper household, which is often the site of bickering between abrasive Mama and her loved ones. Vicki Lawrence stars as Mama, a character she originated in sketches on "The Carol Burnett Show."

After installing an intercom in preparation for Naomi's new baby, the family begins using it to eavesdrop on each other.

After meeting and falling for the charming actor Leslie Lemoyne, Mama sees him on "Tri-State's Most Wanted" just as he is arriving to pick her up for dinner; she fears that he may be a dangerous felon.

After calling into a radio show for advice about a broken blender and subsequently causing an uproar after they are unable to help her, Mama is offered a radio show as a consumer advocate by the station manager.

Mama gets an invitation to her 50th high school reunion, which she has no plans on attending; she later reveals the reason why she doesn't want to attend.