Miss Fireball is Still Burning After All These Years

 A quick conversation with the one and only ‘Fireball’ – Vicki Lawrence from Mama’s Family – on the past and her Two-Woman Show at Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park September 25

By: Felicia Naoum

“We’re creating new material with a more modern and cutting edge. I knew mama needed to be a big part of the show because I know everyone loves her. I really wanted to push her into the new century.  We really push the envelope with her; surrounded by all the craziness going on in the world.” – Vicki Lawrence on Vicki Lawrence and Mama: A Two-Woman Show

Vicki Lawrence

NORTHFIELD, OHIO – Some of you may recall the outspoken, high-energy Mama of the Tri-States of Raytown or you may go even further back to The Carol Burnett Show or even to the 1973 Gold Record Hit – The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia. The leading lady behind the magic is Vicki Lawrence – who has come a long way from her childhood – a childhood of daring adventure – where she sought out and became noticed by the legendary Carol Burnett.  Vicki takes us back to how it all began and where she is today. 

The fire ignited when, Vicki, then in high school, was encouraged by her mother to write a fan letter to Carol Burnett to show Carol the physical resemblance that both Vicki and Carol have. The fire was burning hot because that letter landed on Carol’s desk. Carol pulled Vicki’s father’s name out of the letter, looked up his phone number, and before you knew it, both redheads were together and ready to create history with the famous Carol Burnett Show all while Vickie attended UCLA.  Vicki cuts to the chase: “I feel like show business kidnapped me!”

Even though Vicki spent time in the arts as a child, singing with and filming an Oscar Award Winning documentary with the group: Young Americans, she never dreamed of pursuing such a career. Vicki informed me that had she not been in show business, she would’ve aimed to become a dental hygienist with the hopes of marrying a rich dentist! Does that sound like something a certain Mama would hope for, too?!

Cast of The Carol Burnett Show 

“I think my life has been pretty serendipitous and definitely comical.” Serendipitous? An accident you say? Well, definitely one of the funniest accidents to land on television, Mama’s Family that is – a sitcom where the female rules the house and is as honest and humorous as ever by keeping you laughing, endlessly.  I mean, only Mama could get away with saying she needed to get half-lit to get through the day, right? This brings me to the question I asked Vicki about her similarities to Thelma Harper. “There was nothing she couldn’t do. You earn the right to say what you mean (as you get older). I think we are a lot alike – we have a great sense of humor. I tend to agree with her most of the time,” shared Vicki.

Vicki adored her character just as much as she did her cast.  When asked what life was like on the set of Mama’s Family, Vicki said, “It ran beautifully.” Vicki described the feel as a family unit.  “We just got paid for playing dress-up.” When I asked Vicki if she is still in touch with her television brood, she said, “I talk to them more on Instagram!” Mama has definitely become part of the tech world! However, Vicki does see Carol Burnett more. “I really make it a point to stay in touch with her,” she said.

The cast of Mama’s Family

Vicki has had numerous laughs over the years, but it takes a strong work ethic to keep us laughing this long. Vicki shared some advice she received from one of her co-stars. So listen up, fellow and aspiring actors and actresses, for motivating advice from Harvey Korman who played Eunice’s husband on Mama as well as part of The Carol Burnett Show: “You are she. She is you. Anything you can do, she can do. Your characters are in your gut.”

Today, the hot red ball of fire is strutting her classic floral prints, pantyhose rolled below the knees and tight bluish-gray curls once again to represent the Mama we all came to know and love. That Mama always gave it to us straight up. And she still does – Vicki Lawrence – who played Thelma Harper on the #1 syndicated sitcom, Mama’s Family, from 1983-1990 is still as vocal as ever as she takes the stage as Vicki Lawrence and Mama: A Two-Woman Show. Mama is back and fans are ecstatic!  Vicki gave us a quick glimpse of what to expect at her show. The first half of the show is autobiographical. The second half is all Mama – a topical Mama that is – discussing politics and technology! Memories of Vicki’s “fireball” of a character are recollected by many.

Vicki Lawrence (R) with her side-kick, Thelma Harper (L)

A note from Mama’s  fans

Danielle Johnson of Spencer, Ohio – Mama takes Danielle back to her roots. Danielle often plays Mama’s Family while she is cleaning her house and cooking in her kitchen. Mama is always visiting Johnson’s household –  so much so –  that even Danielle’s children are growing up with Mama. ”

“I love the way that everything was so simple. The image of a grandma that was involved in the church and is in the kitchen making meringue. I could picture myself, when they’re sitting on the front porch, just being on the front porch. I love how close the family is, even though they have their moments. It’s a real-life family that you want to be a part of, bright, cheerful, retro. When you come in the back door, walking past the catty-cornered washer and dryer in Mama’s yellow kitchen, I can instantly picture myself being in that kitchen ready to sample whatever Mama has cooked or baked.  The setting takes me back to Parma – when I was little and visited my grandparent’s house.”

Danielle on Vicki: “Vicki is funny, sassy, and has wisdom behind her. She has that wit about her – to be that age and pull off that character is amazing.”

 Tammy Shields of Mentor strives to stay on budget because of Mama. Tammy shares fond memories of how the classic sitcom connected with her. Tammy speaks about the episode where Mama went on a budget. “My husband is always trying to get me to stay on budget and it drives me crazy! To this day, I still remember the episode of Mama going on a budget, and I feel like I can relate to her,” exclaimed Tammy!

Felix Brown III of Cleveland appreciates Vicki’s talents. “I like her work. Great actress and comedian. Especially her recurring character Thelma Harper. She would later revive that character for the television series Mama’s Family. I used to watch the show often in my childhood. The physical comedy was a high point for me, and the witty repartee was always a bonus.”

Jessica Holyko of Lakewood takes her memories way back: “Mama’s Family was my favorite as a child. My parents had no hope of getting me in bed before 10 PM on school nights because Mama’s Family was on at 9 and 9:30! My love of that show is legendary. My parents still make jokes about it!”

Kimberly Keaton of Parma Heights is the fan that knows every word to “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” as she sang along seamlessly.  Additionally, Kimberly read Vicki’s book: Vicki!: The True-Life Adventures of Miss Fireball.  “The book was very funny and very entertaining, and it was very nice that she shared part of her life with us.”

Joe Gramuglia of Medina compliments the one thing that got the fire burning – “I loved her striking resemblance to Carol Burnett.”

How it all began – the resemblance between Vicki and Carol Burnett on The Carol Burnett Show that Joe Gramuglia mentioned

Vicki’s fans remind everyone that memories last forever. Now, you have an opportunity to make new memories with your favorite Mama.  Vicki will be ready to meet you at the Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park on Sunday, September 25th. And yes, she’s bringing the Mama we all miss dearly – Thelma Harper. It will be double the fun and extra hot on stage that night…Mama has arrived in 2016, and I just have a feeling that she is going to be bigger and better than ever! Get your tickets today at www.hrrocksinonorthfieldpark.com.

If you can’t catch Vicki and Mama on stage, you can always tune in to watch Mama’s Family on ME-TV Ch. 19.2 to relive the memories, the moments, and the laughter that the legendary Vicki Lawrence has brought us for decades.

We appreciate you, Vicki!

Special thanks to Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield, The Brokaw Company, and Vicki Lawrence for making this story possible.  Photos provided by The Brokaw Company.