It takes a strong actor to admit that a series is flawed. Vicki Lawrence wasn’t just a strong actor; she was also a strong woman who was more than willing to admit shortcomings if it was for the benefit of television.

Lawrence previously starred in Mama’s Family. Although the series was originally a spinoff of a sketch previously popularized on The Carol Burnett Show, the series was yanked unceremoniously from the air shortly after it had premiered.

Viewers and critics weren’t responding well to the series in its original state, with its cruel tone and unforgiving characters. The cast and crew were offered an opportunity to revamp the show, a chance Lawrence jumped at.

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“It was obvious that we had some writing and directing problems,” Lawrence said during an interview with The Pittsburgh Press. “We have to realize this is a comedy show. We know why the characters are all screwed up. Now we have to let them go into the world. It’s fun to see Mama get a job or go on Family Feud.”

Though she was the star of the series, Lawrence felt that it was her duty to fight for quality on Mama’s Family. “I don’t know if I could just go into being an actress,” said Lawrence. “The people on Dynasty and Hill Street Blues probably have little to say about the scripts. I get in there and fight for script quality. There was a time when I couldn’t handle that. Now I love it. I came from a tough school. I look at my years on the Burnett Show as Harvard, and I graduated with honors.”

When Mama’s Family returned to television, viewers welcomed a softer, more comedic version of the show.