Showbiz was easy for Vicki Lawrence, until she hit an emotional brick wall in her 40s.
She was a teenage star with Carol Burnett.
She topped the record charts with “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia.”
She created the character Mama and turned her into a lifetime comedy gig.
Lawrence, with the girl next door looks, radiant personality and comic gifts, had it made.
Until she hit her 40s
Suddenly Vicki Lawrence was caught in a mid-life vortex of doubt, insecurity and depression.
“I hit a brick wall in my 40s when I did a TV talk show and was completely unprepared,” said the performer, now 69. She brings “Vicki Lawrence and Mama: A Two Women Show” to The Sharon on May 2 at 7 p.m.
Failure was something new for the woman in her 40s who often says life is too serious to be taken seriously. Lawrence was fired from the talk show and has said it was a difficult “verbal” and “physical” relationship with the company she worked for, and she suffered through it.
“It was tough; I went into depression for three years,” Lawrence said in a telephone interview. “I did a lot of hard work to get through it.”
Lawrence not only survived but prospered.
She hosted a game show, made guest star appearances on TV shows, including a stint as Miley Cyrus’ grandmother on “Hannah Montana.” Lawrence’s own TV series, “Mama’s Family,” ran from 1983 until 1990 and can still be seen in reruns.
Lawrence has been touring with her “Mama” show since 2002, and believes the character fits right in with these turbulent times.
“I want people to laugh and have a good time — as you get older, you have to keep laughing,” said Lawrence, who created Thelma “Mama” Harper when she was 24. “Mama gives me a chance to be silly and have fun with a crazy, outspoken old lady.
“For me, it’s like being (comic) Chris Rock; it’s not filthy and I can be off the wall and say what I want.”
Here is a video of Vicki and Mama:
Lawrence’s career really started off by accident. She was 17, and competing in a firefighters’ beauty contest for “Miss Fireball” in her hometown of Inglewood, Calif. A local newspaper wrote a story how the kid looked like Carol Burnett.
Lawrence mailed a copy of the story and her picture to Burnett. A few months later, in 1967, Lawrence, 17, was playing Burnett’s sister on the nationally-televised show.
“I was kidnapped by show business,” Lawrence cracked. “My whole career has been one big adventure.”
In 1974, Burnett’s writers wanted Carol to play a character called Mama.
“The part was written for Carol,” Lawrence said.
But, she added, Burnett felt more comfortable playing Eunice, Mama’s daughter.
Lawrence took the role of Mama and the rest, as they say, is Thelma Harper history.
Lawrence’s Mama is the big-mouth, wise-cracking, don’t give a damn relative who won’t shut up. She has a knack from saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, and cutting to the painful truth. And yet, thanks to Lawrence’s talent and humanity, you can’t help but like her. Mama gets under your skin, but this tough old bird possesses a painful attraction.
Mama’s outfit was originally created by famed fashion designer Bob Mackie.
“When I saw Bob Mackie’s creation, I knew I could play old,” Lawrence said.
It was all part of Lawrence’s education working with talented comedians and performers such as Harvey Korman, Tim Conway and Burnett.
“Carol taught me all about attitude,” Lawrence said. “She always said, ‘if you’re not having fun in show business, you’re doing something wrong.
“It was a trickle down show – everything, including attitude and discipline came from the top. I learned how to work and have discipline, but I also learned to have a good time.”
Here’s a clip of Carol and Vicki:
Lawrence’s first husband, Bobby Russell, was a country music song writer. In 1972 he wrote “The Night That the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” for Lawrence. It sold over 2 million copies and was later covered by Reba McEntire
“It’s a great song that tells a story – like ‘Ode to Billie Joe,’” she said. Lawrence added that she always admired “Ode to Billie Joe,” a big hit for Bobbie Gentry in 1967.
“I was so excited when Bobbie Gentry was going to appear on ‘The Carol Burnett Show,’” Lawrence said. “I couldn’t wait to meet her. I remember asking one of the stage hands if Bobbie Gentry was here yet. The guy replied: ‘What does he look like?’ He didn’t know Bobbie but I did.”
It seems, however, that everyone knows Mama.
And Mama has all kinds of fans, including a large following in the LGBT community, especially drag queens.
“I’m flattered; that’s cool,” Lawrence said. “If you’re a drag queen, Mama is an easy outfit to put together.”
Lawrence is currently working a new TV series pilot called “Cool Kids.” She will play a hip lady who enters a retirement home as a “hot-headed new arrival.” She causes problems to four old guys who practically run the place.
“I play a feisty and sassy old lady who shakes things up,” Lawrence said. “I hang out with the guys. I’m like one of ‘The Banger Sisters.’”
In 1974, Lawrence married her current husband Al Schultz, who was a make-up artist on the Burnett show. On her web site, Lawrence says her biggest beauty tip is: “sleep with your make-up man.”
Last year, a TV special for “The Carol Burnett Show’s” 50th anniversary delivered huge ratings.
“It was great getting back together with all those people. I grew up with them and we spent so much time together,” Lawrence said.
In May, Burnett will receive the first-ever career achievement award bestowed by the Peabody Awards in New York City.
“Carol means so much to me,” Lawrence said.
And so does Mama.
“I’m older and I think I understand Mama better,” Lawrence said. “But she’s a lot older than me.”
