
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."

Vint learns that he is going to lose his job because Kwik Keys is going out of business; when it turns out that Mama owns ten shares of Bernice, the company that owns Kwik Keys, she sets out to stop the store from closing.

Lola and Mama (Beverly Archer, Vicki Lawrence Schultz) become enemies when they compete in a rose show.

Mama slips on a roll of pennies and sues the bank.

Mama turns sleuth to find Iola's mother.