THE FALL TV SEASON : TV REVIEWS

“Lord, my family never brings me anything but humiliation and grief,” moans Thelma Harper.

And eternal life, it would seem.

More than two years after it was last seen on NBC, “Mama’s Family” is back, returning with new episodes Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on KNBC Channel 4, starring Vicki Lawrence in a role she has been playing for more than a dozen years now.

Her sharp-tongued old lady with the clan of no-account, mean-spirited, petty children and spouses was originally introduced in a 1974 sketch on “The Carol Burnett Show.” The character became a regular feature of that program through 1979, was resurrected on a CBS special in 1982 and then landed the series that ran on NBC in 1983 and 1984.

Now it’s been revived again and trotted out as a new entry in the burgeoning syndication market. Joining Lawrence from the NBC cast are Ken Berry as her son Vint and Dorothy Lyman as his wife Naomi, with Allan Kayser as a newly added grandson and Beverly Archer as a neighbor.

Missing, however, are Carol Burnett, Harvey Korman, Betty White and Rue McClanahan. White will appear occasionally as Thelma’s daughter Ellen, but Burnett’s character of the daughter Eunice is said to have moved to Florida with husband Ed (Korman), and McClanahan’s character of Thelma’s sister has just died when Saturday’s episode begins.

Their absence is crucial. Lawrence doesn’t have anyone to play off here. The other characters are too soft and dumb to engage Mama’s wrath; they vex her but don’t provoke her. Lawrence consequently has to tone the character down and in doing so loses the crotchetiness that made her unique and funny.

What was always so intriguing about this family was the genuine nastiness they expressed for one another even as they paid homage to the rituals of being related. The last thing we need now is for Mama to turn into another warm role model.

Saturday’s episode was written and produced by Rick Hawkins. Dave Powers directed.