Mama's Family

Mamas in a hurry to get to the mall for a sale and tries to hurry Fran along to finish eating. But before that can happen Frans boss at the newspaper calls. Telling her she has to come in and re-edit her latest story. Mama is obviously upset because she cant drive and has no way to get to the sale. Meanwhile Vinton, Mamas only son, drops by the house and announces that he and the kids have been evicted from their house. Now hes hoping that he, his daughter Sonja, and his son Buzz, can stay with Mama until he gets back on his feet. Against Frans wishes Mama agrees. Vint gets the basement, Buzz gets the attic, and Sonja gets Frans writing studio because she refuses to sleep on the couch. Fran is outraged by this, and her and Mama have a huge argument about it. Frans mood turns even more sour when she finds out Sonja stumbled up on the book that shed been working on recently and reads it. Fran says its an invasion of her privacy and finally makes the decision that shell move out. Because she cant take the stress anymore. Of course Mama had no idea that Fran was actually writing in her studio. But later as things settle down a bit, her and Mama have a heart to heart and she changes her mind and decides to stay after all.

Vint and Buzz go to a bachelor party in celebration of Vints impending marriage to Naomi. Meanwhile back at the house, Fran, Ellen, and Mama are decorating the living room when Naomi arrives with a bottle of wine (which Ellen claims is cheap). They get drunk and learn that Ellen thinks her husband, Bruce, is cheating on her with his secretary Peggy. Everyone pretends to be shocked at the news, but had thought that all along and try to convince Ellen that she is wrong. She phones his office and is surprised that Bruce answers and says that Peggy is a saint for letting him keep her there that late and that Ellen didnt to wait up for him. Ellen remarks that the only thing that could ruin this day is if Eunice showed up. The ladies start taking about how Eunice wants to sing at the wedding and all agree it would be a total disaster. Eunice arrives through the back door and over hears the conversation and obviously becomes upset. Coming into the living room she looses her cool. Blabbing t

Vinton gets an idea of taking the family (eveyone except Sonja) on to the game show Family Feud, so that they can have a chance at winning $10,000. Hes even selected each person for his team for different reasons: Buzz (the teenage heartthrob), Naomi (the beauty), Mama (the sweet old lady), and Ellen and Vint as the brains of the family and could prolly win the money on their own. Ellen disagrees and says that she is the only one that is smart enough to win the money (meaning that Vint is dumb). Everyone takes a while to convince Mama to go, but she finally gives in. The opposing family is the very snooty Van Courtlands, who win the first round. Vint ends up winning the second match-up and decides to play in order to take the lead. After a short break, the point values are doubled and the Van Courtlands win the face-off and almost win the game, but Mama gets one last chance to steal. The survey question was ""What do you wind up?"" and the Harpers are telling Mama to answer with ""A m

Mama is complaining about not having done nothing with her life, so Naomi suggests she get a job. So Mama heads down to the employment agency, and after freaking out taking the entry test, she has to go through an interview. The Clerk suggest she doesnt have much of a chance of getting a job, until she remembers Raytown Travel is looking for a new secretary. Mama takes the job and starts that Saturday. Mr. Vogelman, Mamas new boss, gives her a quick tour of her duties and leaves as Mama sets up her desk for the day. First she has trouble with the phone, not being able to get anyone to answer when she picked up (she had to push the lighted button), once she got that down, a couple came in and wanted to book a trip to Tahiti. But then the family calls, having a crisis involving Buzz missing shoes and Sonya locking herself in the bathroom, and soon enough Mama starts being rude to everyone, and Mr. Vogelman decides shes just not the right person for the job so he fires her.

Mama is all dressed up as Fran gets back from the store and she wonders ""Who Died?"", Sonya soon asks the same question, before Mama reveals she has a date with an old beau she hasnt seen in some 40 years. Much to the familys objections Mama goes out with her old him. After staying out most of the night on there first date and having such a great time, not to mention worrying poor old Fran half to death. Woody asked Thelma to go up to the lake with him like they did 40 years ago. She readily excepts to everyones surprise. The family protests, most notably Vint, but Mama goes anyway. When they reach the cabin Mama gets nervous and starts an argument much like she did 40 years ago. After discussing the situation over a beer they both decide they made the right decision so long ago and end up coming home earlier than either had planned.

Claude, having come up with another hair brained scheme, tells Vint that he has a good deal, and Vint could make $1600 (and Claude will make $400 for a finders fee). The plan is for Vint to marry a girl from Portugal who needs her green card to stay in the country. The Family finds out accidently, when Mr. Costa and Zenada drop by for an unannounced visit. It seems Zenada will have to stay with the family for a few days to make it look like a real marriage. Which Mama is of course flat out refusing to let her do. Mama is out bringing in the laundry, when Naomi comes over to complain about the sap falling on her car from Mamas tree. When Mama tells her about the marriage, and she tells Mama how illegal it is and how she saw it on 60 minutes. Seems Vint could get a felony for false marriage if he goes threw with it. Claude and the bride to be stop by to drop off her roll-a-way bed and a few of her things. When Mama starts screaming and manages to explain a few things. Vint begins to rea

Mamas going on about Vints friend Claude being a bum and everything, when Ellen finally brings Mamas silver back. Mama wants Vint to put it up right then, so no one will steal it. But he first gets a call from Claude, who needs a favor. Seems Claude got in a bar fight and hes locked up in jail and needs $250 for his bail. Vint catches Ellen before she leaves and asks her, but she refuses. So he pawns Mamas silver to get the money. The next morning Mama goes to put some stuff away in the closet and discovers its gone. She wakes Vint up and he admits he took it and pawned it. Blowing her top Mama tells Vint to get her silver back and he then tells her why he needed the money. That only serves to get her madder. In the midst of the screaming match, Vint decides to leave, and Sonya says she can stay with Nancy. So Vint goes to the basement to pack his stuff, but Mama cant stand to see him go and calls him back upstairs and in their own way they make peace, at least for a few moments

Naomis 2nd ex- husband, Leonard Oates, returns to Raytown after 3 years a wealthy man. Seems hes now the worm king of Tallahassee, Florida. Thanks to his mail order worm business. Hes returned with the intention of winning his ex back and taking Naomi back to Tallahasse with him. As Naomi battles with the decision of what to do she gives Mama a permanent. But leaves the solution on to long and Mamas hair comes out looking like a ""Huge Q-tip"". So after Leonard tells Naomi hell meet her at the Bigger Jigger at noon for her decision. She has a sit down with Fran who tells her ""she has to live with herself."" Mama has to follow her to the jigger to get her to finish her hair and the whole family tags along. Later at the Bigger Jigger, Leonard makes Naomi choose and in the end Naomi chooses Vint and her new life over Leonard, because Vint, as she puts it, trusted her.

Naomis ailing and all the signs point to her the Stork being on the way for her and Vint. A fact that Mama is the first to discover, after administering ""Aunt Idas Tater Masher Test"". Naomi is hesitant to tell Vint, because he wanted to wait to start their family until they get their own place. Mama accidently spills the beans to Buzz and Sonya, who think its great. But Fran is worried how they can manage having another person in the house. Vints surprisingly favorable reaction to the news, prompts a discussion as to were it will be sleeping. A screaming match results as no one wants to give up their room. Naomi,wanting to make sure she is pregnant, makes an appointment.The doctor runs some tests and tells her to wait. One by one the family arrives at the doctors office, First Mama and then Vint, followed Buzz and Sonya, lastly Fran. All have ideas on what they should do for the baby. Mama settle it by saying the babies bunking with her. Unfortunately come to find out, it was a

Mama finds Naomi at work being overly nice,and she explains to Mama shes trying to win the Food Circus Friendly Employee of the Month.Which she ends up doing in the end,and gets her picture posted on a poster in the front of the store. Naomi soon arrives home to celebrate and recieves a very disturbing phone call.An obscene phone call.He calls back several times,even asking for Naomi by name when Vint answers the phone.Mama and Fran soon come to the conclusion that its all Naomis fault,for the way she dresses and walks.Not to mention her efforts at work to be voted Friendly Employee of the Month. This all changes when Naomi leaves for work and the guy calls back.Not getting Naomi he talks the same way to Mama,then Fran and even Vint.They realize hell talk to anyone that way and its not Naomis fault at all.So they all head down to Food Circus to apologize.

Mamas cousin Gert (Imogene Coca) was once a sprited woman, but time in an old folks home has left her lifeless.

Mama and Fran are putting green stamps into her books,when Vint and Naomi come in from an evening with their friends.Theyre complaining about not being able to invite anyone over.So Fran mentions having a party for their friends at the house.Mama agrees to cook the dinner and take Buzz and Sonya,along with Fran to the movies for the night,to leave Vint and Naomi alone. Fran and Mama battle over what movie to see,E.T. is Mamas choice and they get ready to leave,when Mama bends over and her back starts spasming.The family has to help her to the floor as she cant move now.She tells Fran and the kids to go on ahead and shell meet them if her back gets better.Vint and Naomis friends arrive a minute later and the party begins. Mama is the center of attention as everyone first listens to her story during dinner (which are served on Naomis new dinner trays,she got with the Green stamps of Mamas).Then they end up feeding her,and then Mama tells Marsue that Naomi said she was a snob and

Naomi gets home from her self defense class all fired up and Fran and Sonya decide to go next time.But Mama refuses saying its a waste of time and theres no need for it.Although shes scared to go to her bingo games anymore. So Naomi,Sonya and Fran head to there Karate class and Mama to her Bingo.But Mama never makes it to Bingo as she is mugged while waiting for the bus.She gets home still shaking and clutching her purse strap.And quickly decides she too will join the Karate class,where Naomi is the star pupil.And Sonya is falling in love with Chuck,the instructor.Mama finds it tough to fit in. A while later Mama returns to the same bus stop where she meets an elderly lady and begins telling her about the classes and how she was mugged.When the same mugger attacks again,but he turns his back to take the other womens purse and Mama wacks him in the head with her purse which is loaded with a light weight Iron.

After shopping at Food Circus for over 40 years, Thelma knows more about the store than its manager. After hearing some of her ""Old Fashion horse sense,"" Mr. Palmer (the Manager) hires her for the store, as a customer consultant. Being her job to give people advice on what to buy. Her new post in the store is right next to the express lane, Naomis counter. It doesnt take long before Naomi starts to complain about having her mother-in-law so close, saying its distracting her from her work. So, Mr. Palmer comes upon the idea that Mama should know everything about the running of the store, starting with Naomi teaching her how to be a checker. Mamas first test turns into a fiasco, when she cant get the hang of ringing things up. After that, she gets her first customers (with Naomi as her bagger). It goes smoothly ar first, but things soon turn sour when Mama has to look up the price for a special and it takes her forever. After a continuing stream of more problems and the register

Ellen talks Mama into having Mayor Tutwillers Re-Election press conference at the house.As the Mayor starts his speech starts going on about how the senior citizens are being treated in Raytown.The Mayor hears enough and he gets into a shouting match with Mama,and then challenges her to run herself. Mamas story makes the local tv news,as they appear the next morning outside her house.She has a few unkind things to say about the mayor,before Ellen arrives and says shes not running. But eventually Mama decides to run against Mayor Tutwiller. Mayor challenges Mama to a face-to-face debate on KRAY TV.Hoping to squash her chances of winning,by making her look unprepared.But she shows the Mama up forcing him to use fake an important phone call and leave suddenly. On Election night,Mama and the whole family gather round the tv,to see the results.She trails early on, as the night wears and on one by one they all fall asleep.In the end Mama ends up falling alseep as they announce she won.

Naomi trys to fix breakfast for her family but Mama dumps it out, with Naomi complaining about never being able to do anything for her husband and step-kids, saying Mama is always cleaning and cooking and wont let her do anything. Mamas vacuum cleaner then breaks and Vint says she can borrow Naomis brand new one. The one Vint bought her for a wedding present. Naomi comes in while Mamas using it. She starts complaining about nothing being hers. Just then the vacuum starts smoking and burns a whole in the carpet. As it turns out Mama ran over one of Naomis key chains. They start fighting and agree to go to court over it. Small claims court Judge W.E. Packard oversees the case. Which ends up in a free-for-all as Mama and Naomi both call witnesses including Vint being called twice (once by each). In the end, the Judge finds Mama and Naomi in contempt of court and fines them $100 each and also orders them to pay their own damages.

Carls long lost brother, Roy Harper, shows up out of nowhere on Carls birthday. Not knowing that his brother has been dead for 11 long years. Vint, against Mamas wishes, asks Uncle Roy to stay with them for a while. Meanwhile Sonya has entered a beauty pageant and Noami, Ellen and Mama help her get ready. Thats where Uncle Roy tells her the story of when he saw Princess Grace at the White house and how beautiful she was and how she has the same smile. He also encourages Vint to chase his dream of being a firemen, even going so far as to get him an application for the Ray Town Fire Department. Lastly, Roy is telling Thelma how her elbows remind him of Dorothy Lamures and that thats what first attracted Carl to him and how he wishes he had seen her first. They hug but he leaves before anything really happens. Leaving his cooler, which means hell be back, Thelma hopes.

Mama cant get anyone to go with her to Carls grave, so she goes by herself. After arriving and having a long talk with Carl, Mama notices that the grave next to Carls, that was supposed to be reserved for her, has another womens name on it instead. She panics and rushes home. Ellen arrives an hour late (as usual) to take Mama to the cemetary, just as Mama comes in and tells everyone what shes just discovered. Fran and Mama soon head back to the cemetary to get the problem cleared up. It turns out Carls head stone was accidently placed two plots down. So Mama feels like shes been cheating on Carl and says Carl has to send her a gift to let her know, its ok. Meanwhile, Sonya goes out with a loser named Michael and he ends up flirting with a sophomore cheerleader who likes him and Sonya dumps him. He then shows up with flowers and after Sonya refuses to talk to him, he gives the flowers to Mama. Who takes it as Carls sign that everythings ok.

The family is in the middle of a game of scrabble when Ellen stops by with a gift for Mama and to attempt to once again apologize for missing her Aunt Frans funeral. Mama refuses to forgive her and throws her out. Later, Naomi comes in and says she heard that Ellen was in the hospital about to under go surgery. With that, Mama drags the rest of the family to the hospital to visit her. The visit soon turns very uncomfortable for Ellen as Mama begins yelling at the family for one and then another. Not able to stand it any longer, Ellen calls for the nurse and orders her to throw the family out and post an armed guard at the door. Mama finally sends everyone home, but sneaks back in herself and stays with Ellen through the night. Mama and Ellen soon forgive one another for all the years of fighting and Ellen finally reveals to Mama why she is the hospital in the first place, shes having a fanny tuck.

When Mamas dreams start providing the names of winning horses, the family figures theyre in the money.

In this Thanksgiving episode, Mama, Bubba, Vinton, Naomi, Iola, and Aunt Effie (Dorothy Van) all go for cover in the basement when an unexpected tornado passes by Raytown.

Naomi is giving Bubba and Vint a love test to see how romantic they are,from the latest issue Ladys Circle.As it turns out Vint is a ""cold fish"" and Bubba is a ""Red Hot Romeo"". Vint decides to try and be more romantic and gets Bubba to.write a romantic letter to Naomi

Bubba wants to borrow $200 to buy a new drum set, while Iolas upset that she cant get her jewelry box open to put her pearls away, so she brings the box over for Vint to open. When he cant, Bubba quickly borrows a bobby pin and opens it easily. Iola heads home only to return a few minutes later in search of her beloved pearls, which have mysteriously disappeared. Iola is quick to accuse Bubba, who comes in with a brand new drum set, claiming he borrowed them from a friend of a friend whos name he forgets. Pretneding to defend Bubba, Mama throws Iola out. Now convinced, she too accuses Bubba. Feeling betrayed by his own family Bubba attempts to run away from home. She finds him at the ""Rayhound"" station and tells him the story of what happened when Eunice tried ran away.

Unhappy with the rut shes gotten into, Naomi decides to make a change and arrives home with the news that, after seeing an ad in the paper, shes decided to attend school to train as a flight attendant. Vint gets upset because she didnt ask him first. While, Bubba joins the debate team to be near a girl he likes. Naomi aces her first exam, which only serves to make Vint more upset. With a growing rift between Vint and Naomi, Iola tries to make her move and asks Vint to have ice cream with her one night. What Vint views as innocent, Mama see clearly as Iola trying to get her claws into Vint and tells him so in no uncertain terms. Naomi tries to get everyone in the family to help her train for that nights big test, but the only one who will is Mama.

Mama and Naomis plan to find a date for Iola backfires when the date is more interested in Mama.

An anonymous letter convinces Vint that hes adopted, so he sets out to find his biological mother.

Mama is surprised to learn she was entered in the Grandma USA contest by Bubba. She is at first reluctant to compete, but changes her mind when she finds out the grand prize is a dream kitchen, complete with a self cleaning oven. Vint then starts to wonder why they would select Mama over all the other entries, Bubba says its because he sent in Naomis picture instead of Mamas. A fact this is only discovered after they are greeted by the host, Raytown personality Eddie Edwards, and he thinks Naomi is entering. After considering his options, Edwards agrees to let Mama compete instead, thinking it might be a novelty to have someone in the pageant who really looks like a Grandma.

Mamas worldly cousin (Vicki Lawrence in a dual role) annoys Mama with her neverending stories.

Naomis best friend Luann has just been divorced and Naomi wants to set her up with a friend of hers for a double date with her and Vint to play miniature golf. But before Luann ever arrives, her date calls to say he cant make it. Naomi then suggests Bubba could be a last minute stand-in. Mama nearly goes through the roof and says no. Not wanting Bubba to associate with the likes of Luann. After a lengthy discussion, Mama gives in and lets Bubba decide for himself, while trying to lay a guilt trip on him.

Vint brings home a new electric blanket he received for signing up for a life insurance policy. A few minutes later, his insurance agent arrives for him to sign the papers, and as it turns out its an old boyfriend of Naomis, Stony Hall. Stony explains that the policy is worth $200,000 in case of accidental death and much to Mamas dismay, Vint announces that Naomi is his sole beneficiary. Following the announcment, Vint starts having accidents. First, he almost electrocutes himself while working on Naomis hair dryer (while its still plugged in) and then falls down the basement stairs, slipping on a bottle of Naomis nail polish and spraining his ankle in the process. This gives Iola the idea that Naomi is trying to bump Vint off for the money. She becomes convinced, as does Mama, after Bubba spies Naomi and Stony eating at a Chinese restaurant with the insurance policy in hand.

When Bubba has trouble in high school, its revealed that Mama failed to graduate as well.

When Vint is accused of being Raytowns "Courteous Crook", Mama and Iola take action to clear his name.

After nearly being hit by lightning, Mama finds a new outlook on life.

Mama tries to become romantic with her night school teacher.

Didi, an old friend of Naomis and a professional wrestler, talks Naomi into being a last-minute substitute for her ailing tag-team partner for a match. When Mama accidentally knocks Didi out just before the match, Naomi and Mama have to wrestle against Didis weighty opponents.

When Mama traumatizes Vinton at work with the "Binky Bunny" lunchbox she made for him when he was a kid, she must find a way to cure him of his trauma before he loses his job.

Tired of living in the basement, Vint and Naomi agree to switch rooms with Bubba - pleasing everyone except Mama.

Iola spends all her time with a new friend.

After Uncle Oscar passes away, Mama is willed his gabby pet parrot.

Mama finds herself competing on Jeopardy!

Vints dumb luck gets Mama dragged to a party with the "beach bum" shes been trying to avoid.

The Harpers rent out a room during the Tri-State Fair.

Mama and Bubba will graduate from high school together, but Bubba wants to skip the ceremony.

Mama and Iola are working hard on a homemade quilt to enter an upcoming contest when Iola comments about the house being so quiet lately. Vint and Naomi arrive home from visiting a friend of theirs who just had a baby girl. Which gives Naomi the idea that she wants one too. Mamas dead set against the idea and makes it clear to Vint about her feelings. When that bit of pushing fells to get through. Mama decides to give them a taste of what having a baby is like. So, thinking they have a day off, she sets a little plan into motion to discourage them. Namely asking to babysit for one of her neighbors, who has a baby with a real penchant for high pitched crying. Problem is Naomi and Vint have decided to go into work late, leaving Mama to baby sit little Garth. Its a chore to finally get him to stop crying, but every time Mama gets him to be quiet someone slams a door and he starts again. In the end, Mama is wore out and falls asleep right as Naomi and Vint come in.

Mamas already annoyed and trying to avoid Roselle so she wont have to head up the latest charity drive. While Bubbas late for dinner, which of course annoys Mama even more. Hes learning to use the school video camera as hes planning to make a film about the Harper family for a school project. So to begin he has everyone gather at the dining room table, problem is their all decked out in their best clothes.

The mail is late,meaning Mamas pention check is late also,so she has to wait around for the mailman.Come to find out Iola had it the whole time and now its to late to get to the bank to deposit it.So Iola suggests that Mama use the new Auto-Teller, instead of letting her checks for the bills bounce. Mama deposits the check and asks for $20.00 cash,which the machine deducts from her account,but never gives to her.So she blasts it with her pocket book and it soon starts spitting out money.$800 to be exact. Later at the dinner table,the family and Iola take part in Bubbas survey for his class and all disagree on what people should do with found money.It soon comes out that the teller-matic gave Mama $800 and suddenly everyone agrees that they should keep the money,with everyone having ideas on how best to spend it.But Mama decides to return to the bank the next day and put it in her account instead.

Mama, Naomi and Iola are planning to go to a show at the Pepper Pot Playhouse, while Vint and Bubba are set to play poker with the ""poker pals"". Mama finds out whos starring in the play and decides not to go, so Naomi and Iola leave as the ""pals"" arrive. Mamas headed off to bed when the phone rings, come to find out the other guys cant play. So Vint begs Mama to set in. Mama proves to be a much better player than anyone expected and is soon the hit of the evening, sharing embarrassing stories about Vint as a kid. Until she gets pulled away from the table by Vint and he begs her to build him up, so the ""pals"" will think hes a big man. Problem is that doesnt go as well and Mama soon begins boring every one with her endless stories. The last shoe drops when Mama reveals, in another story, that Vint touches the end of his when hes not telling the truth. Which ends up costing him a hand and he storms out mad. Naomi and Iola return and Naomi thinks the play was horrible.

Mama plays host to the neighborhood block party, where Mayor Tutwiller is set to make a major announcement. Mama thinks hes going to award her the ""Golden Troll"" award for the best yard in Raytown. But he instead annouces that the city council has voted to make Raylane the new city dump and buy all the houses on the block. Mam though refuses to move, even though everyone else is for it. Bubba plans to move into the dorm and Vint and Naomi find a newspaper ad for their dream house, which with the money theyll get from the city for the old house, they can now afford. Meanwhile, Bubba is working on a history paper for class on the founder of Raytown, James A.Ray. It seems he can find plenty of facts about his life but nothing about his death.

Mama is sacked out on the couch after laser surgery to remove a Corn from her toe. Having Bubba wait on her hand and foot, when Vint and Naomi come in, dressed for a dance contest their going to. Mamas starts talking about her memories of the place where the event being held and everyone decides to go along with them as their cheering session. Mama runs into an old friend, Ramon and they decide to enter the contest against Vint and Naomi, as do Bubba and Iola. Two of the final three are ofcourse Vint/Naomi and Mama/Ramon. It comes down to having to draw from a hat to determine which dance your gonna do. In the end Mama and Ramon win in an upset after doing the ""Latin Sizzle"" aka Dirty Dancin.

Its Valentines day and Naomi feels unloved and Vint buying her cheap stuff for doesnt help. Mama and Iola however are busy making hearts for the Valentines day banquet at the church. Naomi starts bugging Iola about not having a date,so she says she had one but turned it down, while getting some snacks Mama hears this. Feeling sorry for her, Mama tells Iola that the movie they were gonna watch tonight is off and she should get herself a date. Mama then comes up with the story that she too has a date. Now Mama has to try and find a gentleman to go out with. Iola comes over later the afternoon and tells Thelma that Roselle got a date from ""Rent-A-Gent"". So feeling desperate Thelma calls ""Rent A Gent"" and gets a date herself.

Naomi and Vint rush in to get ready for the awards banquet that night for Food Circus. While Mama complains to the meter guy about her electric bill saying its always a certain price but this month its $20.00 higher and she refuses to pay it.

Bubbas off to a rally for the homeless, as Mama and Iola are off to the Rayplex, while Vint and Naomi are headed out to route five to see the new housing development. Mama gives Bubba $20 just in case he needs it and then he accidently packs her wallet in his back pack and heads out. She only notices this as her and Iola are leaving. So Mama heads for the rally to get her wallet back and Iola heads for the theatre. But Mama gets arrested along with the the others at the rally and gets locked up, even though she tries to convince them shes not homeless. The phone is busy when she calls home so shes out of luck and into the cell she goes. Where she discovers that the people there are much like her, including her Cousin Cora.

Bubba and Vint are playing basketball out back, when Mama comes out and starts talking about Lolly Purdue and how bad a job she is doing as the CCL President. Mamas also trying to avoid Lolly because she doesnt wanna have to hand write the thank you notes Lolly wants. But little does Mama know, that Iola has already agreed to do it. Just as they are finishing Lolly shows up with some bookmarks she wants put in the envelopes, even though theyve already been sealed. That gives Mama and Iola the reason they need to try and impeach her. So they schedule a special meeting of the CCLs board. But Lolly shows up unexpectedly, and Mama puts her to work in the kitchen. As Iola and the other ladies move to the porch (then onto her house), Mama makes a major discovery; Lolly cant read. Thats why she messed up the recipe and a number of other things. So as her and Mama began to talk, they decide to start a program for people who wanna learn to read and write.

Iola meets a man that is interested in one of her inventions.But as it turns out Vint,Naomi and Bubba have an invention of their own,the Petlocks.When Mr. Wheeler arrives he barely glances at Iolas invention before noticing Vints invention and saying he thinks its a brilliant idea.He asks for 800 dollars in Good faith money to start,with which he will match with 800 of his own. Mama is skeptical and refuses to let Vint have the money.Thats when Detective Sneed shows up and drops the news that Wheeler is a con artist.He enlists Mama and Iola in a plot to catch Wheeler red-handed. Sneed gives Mama 800 dollars in marked money and has her wear a wire to record the conversation. Vint decides at the last minute that Mama is right and the lock idea is dumb,and Mama has to talk him out of it.

Thelma and Iola prepare to go a cruise down the Ray River on the Dixie Bell,seems they got a special, two for one deal and thats the only way they could go.Then Iola comes in and says her mother had another dizzy spell and she cant leave her.So Mama reminds her of a few of the times her mother has prevented her from doing stuff.Feeling enpowered Iola runs home to confront her mother. She returns minutes later,with the news that she confronted her mother and said she was gonna go on that cruise.Who responded to her plea for independence by throwing her out.Mama and the family reluctantly agree she should stay with them until the cruise.But this arrangment quickly turns sour. Iola takes over Mamas kitchen and works non-stop from daylight till dawn,including vacuuming under Vint and Naomis bed at 7:00 in the morning.Shes also a terrible bunk mate,getting up to go to the bathroom constantly and opening the window and then adding more covers.

After reading about how much it costs to raise a child, Vint and Naomi decide to start a business selling bottles of Mamas mother-in-laws "miracle tonic."

Mama encourages Iola to find herself a man, but the man she finds turns out to be a domineering blowhard.

Mama is attracted to actor Leslie Lemoyne, until she sees him on "Tri-States Most Wanted" (the local version of Americas Most Wanted), and believes that he is the infamous "widow waster".

Mama is invited to her junior high schools 50th reunion, but she is reluctant to go because of a false rumor that was spread about her years ago that earned her the nickname "Hotpants"

After heckling a stand-up comedian at the Bigger Jigger, Mama accepts a challenge to do a routine of her own.

Vinton learns that he is about to lose his job because Kwik Keys is being shut down by the new owners, a corporation called Bernice. When Bubba discovers that an old stock certificate Mama owns is now ten shares of Bernice, she sets out to save Vintons job.

When Mama slips on a roll of pennies in the bank, the family suggests that she sue the bank. To this end, she hires a sleazy lawyer Settlement Sam and fakes serious injuries.

After watching detective movies on TV for a week, and hearing that Iolas mother is missing, Mama dreams that she is a film noir-style detective hired to find her clients mother.

Vint wins a Mothers Day dinner for two at a North African (Moroccan) restaurant called Abduls Garden of Eating. As a result, Mama and Naomi fight over which of them Vinton should take.

Vinton and Naomi buy an RV and plan to move to a trailer park; however, they are unable to start the vehicle once it is in the driveway. Meanwhile, Mama is planning to host a fancy backyard luncheon for an snooty society group called the Dames.