Thelma Harper

[1] With Lawrence continuing to play the role into the present day, Mama has also made numerous other post-television show guest appearances, such as on Hollywood Squares; The Talk;[2][3][4][5] "Larry the Cable Guy's Christmas Spectacular" (2007); "Betty White's 2nd Annual 90th Birthday" (February 5, 2013); The Queen Latifah Show (May 20, 2014);[6] etc.

[8] In the seventh season of The Carol Burnett Show in 1974, "The Family" skit was created, which debuted the "Mama" role.

[9] Four years after The Carol Burnett show ended, the TV-movie-special Eunice (the character of Mama's daughter) was broadcast.

She ruled the roost with a smart mouth and snappy retorts; an explosively quick temper; and a brash, rough and abrasive manner.

[17] The character of "Mama" was originally based, at least in part, on the relationship between Carol Burnett's mother and grandmother and was intended to be a maternal, elderly version of Eunice.

The original writers of the character, Dick Clair and Jenna McMahon, had based Mama on their real-life family members and thus disapproved of the adjustments.

[21] On October 29, 2012, Thelma was seen once again on Logo's RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars as the special comedian in which the contestants had to interact and have a comedic sketch.

Later seen out of the Thelma persona, Vicki Lawrence played as a special guest judge to the contestants alongside RuPaul.

Vicki Lawrence as Thelma Harper, 2009