Customer Reviews

That's My Mama - The Complete First Season

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Unfortuately the practice of studios using the edited for syndication versions of shows rather than going back to the uncut masters (as seen on the network) continues with THAT'S MY MAMA. The majority of the shows are edited by about four minutes each, though a small number appear to be uncut. Not acceptable....I won't pay for edited product.

I wasn't born yet when That's My Mama originally aired but I caught it in reruns back in the early 80's when I was a kid. Well it has been over 20 years since I have seen it air on television so I was very happy to hear that it was finally being released on DVD. In fact I was shocked since this show has never gotten the respect that it deserves. This is a very funny show that launched the careers of a few stars that we would later come to love on other shows. But this is the show were it started and it was finally being released on DVD. Well imagaine my anger when I found at that this release does not contain the orignal episodes as they first aired. This set is made up of the edited/cut syndicated episodes. Now while I have only seen the syndicated episodes I still prefer to have the original episodes as the aired in the first place. This is yet another example of studios rushing the release of a television show to make quick money rather than taking their time, putting in some effort and doing it right. Studios will continue doing this to us the consumer as long as we keep buying their inferior product. Accept nothing less than the orignal versions. This show deserves a proper unedited release.

I can't believe it. Another TV show on DVD with syndicated/edited episodes. Why are they doing this? Great show, lousy DVD treatment.

Thank God That's My Mama has finally been released on DVD! Who can forget the memorable "What's goin' down" episode. Randy Watson was spectacular as Joe the policeman! That boy's good!!!!!

I remember That's My Mama fondly because of how funny it was and how talented the cast was. It may not have had a long run, but like Buffalo Bill (also coming on DVD soon), the talented cast went on to bigger and better things. That's My Mama should have had a longer run. ABC (who doesn't learn from their mistakes) took the show in it's second season, new producers came in and made the show, quite frankly a little depressing. The fun time in the barber shop was over and the recession was on. That coupled with cast changes and a weak lead in show, caused this should have been classic to expire on Xmas Eve 1975. A good show that should have had a four or five year run. ABC would make similar mistakes with Mork and Mindy a few years later with similar results. I am glad to see it back again and I have ordered both seasons. I recommend you at least buy the first season, you won't be sorry.

That's My Mama was a short lived sitcom which aired on ABC from 1974-1975.Although it's run was short, it was a muched beloved show with many memorable characters including Clifton Curtis(Clifton Davis),a batchlor barber whom inherited his late father's shop,his best friend Happy go lucky mail carrier Earl (Teddy Wilson),the neighborhood gossip Junior(Ted Lange), the two old checker playing patrons Jasper and Wildcat,Clifton's sister Tracy (Lynn Moody) along with her stuffy husband Leonard (Lisle Wilson0 and Curtis's loving mother Eloise(Theresa Merritt).

I was too young to remember this show as a child, so I was curious to see it on DVD. I was very pleased with this show. It is unfortunate it only ran for such a short time. I found it to be a pretty funny show. I only rate it 3 stars, however, due to this set being syndicated versions. The action takes place in Wasington D.C., in Clifton & Mama's home & Clifton's barber shop he inherited from his father, which is attached to the house. The series ran on ABC, from September 4, 1974 to December 24, 1975.

This is a 3 disc set, containing 26 episodes:

Disc 1 Episodes 1-9:

1. Whose Child Is This: A woman claims Clifton is the father of her child.

2. Honesty Day: When a couple of little white lies backfire, Clifton initiates an "honesty day." No one can fib for 24 hours.

3. Clifton's Dubious Romance-Mama's matchmatching pays off when she intorduces Clifton to her friend's daughter, Polly, but Clifton's friend Earl knows Polly, and her man-crazy rep, from the past.

4. Counsin Albert-Mama wished Clifton was successful like his cousin Albert, what mama doesn't know is how Albert makes his money.

5. Clifton's Sugar Mama-An old friend of mamas comes to town and she only has eyes for Clifton.

6. Clifton's Big Move-Clifton contemplates moving out.

7. Mama Steps Out-Mama's in love.

8. The Loan-Tensions flare when Clifton tries to collect a loan from his brother-in-law.

9. Clifton's Con-An army friend of Clifton's shows up. Mama is more than welcoming but what will she say when she finds out he is an ex-con?

Disc 2-episodes 10-18

10. Clifton's Persuasion- Clifton's faith is in doubt, while Mama tries to persuade him to attend church. Tim Reid (WKRP) guest stars as a preacher in this episode.

11. Oscar's Affair-One of Mama's rivals is in town and she confesses to Clifton that her and his daddy had an affair. Mama wants to know why Clifton is acting so strangely, but he doesn't know what to tell her.

12. Tracy's Trouble-Clifton's sister, Tracy, heads home to Mama when her 3 month old marriage is on the rocks.

13. The Gun-When Earl is beaten & robbed, Clifton decides to get a gun.

14. Song and Dance Man-An old family friend (Slappy White) drops by with his new partner, who hits it off immediately with Clifton. But Clifton is unware that she and the old family friend are married.

15. Mama Gets Fractured-Clifton has to cancel his fishing weekend when Mama is suddenly laid up with a broken leg.

16. The Last Haircut-When a 94 year old loan shark dies in one of Clifton's barber chair, Earl tries to cover it up.

17. The Shakedown-After cosigning a loan for Earl, Clifton learns that the contract was prepared by a loan shark. But when he threatens mama, Clifton gets even.

18. The Ambulance Chaser-Clifton is hit by a cab and a shady lawyer wastes no time in taking action. When Clifton the man's lack of ethics, he decides to fight back and gets some unexpected help.

Disc 3 episodes 19-26

19. Earl's Girls-Earl is in love and wants to settle down but his girlfriend is more interested in playing the field.

20. The Witness-Earl witnesses a hold up but is relunctant to testify.
21. Clifton and the Kid - Clifton takes a fatherless kid under his wing, but also falls for the kid's mother.

22. The Hero-Earl's uncle dies, and his cousin sneaks back into town for the first time since testifying against a local gangster. Now Earl, Clifton and Mama juggle the visitor like a hot potato to keep his presence a secret.

23. The Image Maker-Clifton is thrilled when him and Mama are chosen for a tv program to represent an African-American middle class family. However, when their Uncle Gus shows up, the show's producers are less than thrilled with his less than middle calss appearance.

24. Trial and Error-Clifton's brother in law, Lenord is arrested for visitng a brothel.

25. Clifton and Politics-Clifton volunteers to campaing for a city leader, that is until some distubring news that comes to light.

26. Stephanie's Boyfriend-Clifton's ex fiancee shows up with her new boyfriend in tow. Old flames are rekindled, putting the boyfriend in an unpredictable state of mind.

This show also had a reference in John Landis' 1988 comedy, "Coming to America" (starring Eddie Murphy & Arsenio Hall). Sexual Chocolate's, frontman, Randy Watson(Murphy), is introduced as having portrayed Joe the Policeman, from the "What's Goin' Down" episode of 'That's My Mama,'" (No such episode exists, BTW).

All I can say is it's been long overdue! That's My Mama is a definite gem of the more obscure sitcoms of the 70's genre.

Clifton Davis was so cute back in that period & has gotten even sexier over the years.

I can't wait for my copies! I've waited years to see this available & i'm finally getting my wish. I implore fans of great 70's comedy to buy this series & add it to your collections, you won't be disappointed, it's quality stuff!!

i watched this show in re-runs back in the 80's but it was cool. this was the show that spawned Randy Watson the PoliceMan that Boy is good line that Eddie Murphy&Arsenio Hall later used in the Film "Coming to America". Clifton Davis is a Very Versatile Entertainer. Ted Lange who later went on to the Love Boat as Issac the Crew Ship Bartender. Teddy Wilson who went on to "Good Times"&Became Better known as "Sweet Daddy Williams". alot of Talent on this Show&it's a shame it didn't get it's full due.this film was a Pre-cursor to what Coming to America&the Ice Cube "barbershop" Franchises did years later.

I remember watching this show as a kid and savoring over every minute of it. The show is actually better than I remembered. Order your copy today. Very funny.