IKR? The camera work & plot-related pictures are breathtaking. And it's incredible how a real DC house & storefront were found that perfectly matched the interiors of the Curtis family home & Oscar's Barber Shop for a sitcom of the era. Too bad it didn't last longer than even season 1.
It's a shame this show only lasted 1.5 seasons. This intro/outro was radically different from season one. Still a great tune, I kinda prefer the raw '70s Funk of season 1 intro/outro.
I agree, I binged on this in 2016 for all 39 episodes as I only saw one here and there. ABC tried to bill this as their answer to Sanford and Son. With that type of billing, I can see why many tuned out in 1975 and 1976. As I saw the episodes, I was expecting Merritt to have wisecracks and a canny view of the world as Fred Sanford did on Sanford. There were many mistakes made on this show that hurt the success of it. The series mainly focused on Clifton (who was a big name at the time) not 'mama'. Mama was more of a supporting role. The cast changes also didn't help
@@GSU2004 Great point. I also think that with Sanford & also the Jeffersons and Good Times also being on at the same time on the rival stations at the time (Kiddies Fox did not appear until about a decade later FYI)I think if Fox or some basic cable channels existed then in 1974-'75 this could have been a long running hit. No doubt I am sure the creators of the later hit films "Barbershop" was influenced by this underrated show.
@@GSU2004 Clifton Davis down spiral into drugs and alcohol played a part of the sitcom being cancelled. By the Grace of God he overcame the destruction that nearly killed him and was given a second chance and starred in another sitcom which portrayed his real life career as a Preacher.
OH MY 1975! That means I watched & remembers these shows when they first aired! Watching on a tube tv with my parents & probably my brothers because at 10,11 yrs old back in the 70s the parents told us what to watch on tv.
I remember watching this on rerun back in the mid 80s. I also remember there was like a jazzier instrumental opening theme as well. This just reminds me that I'm getting old......
@@FaytLinegod Much preferred the season 1 theme myself. Kind of similar sounding to "Pick Up the Pieces" a Number #1 Pop Instrumental Funk Jazz song of that same period.
TVone or Centric, a second-tier cable channel aimed at African-Americans, actually reran this in the fairly recent past despite lasting only two seasons.
This show had a decent run in syndication despite only having produced 39 episodes. While never a ratings hit, it became a cult classic and one of the few short-lived shows to still enjoy a sizable support after decades of cancellation. Both seasons are on DVD and I think it left off network syndication in the late 1980s before going to a few cable stations. There were talks of bringing the show back given the success of the revival of What's Happening but the numbers couldn't add up to make it work.
Videotaped at ABC Television Center in HOLLYWOOD the home to Barney Miller, Break the Bank & Split Second with the late Tom Kennedy, Let's Make a Deal with the late Monty Hall, Family Feud with the late Richard Dawson, SOAP, Benson with the late Robert Guillaume, American Bandstand with the late TV Icon Dick Clark and Bruce Forayth's Hot Streak with the late Bruce Forsyth
The "Charging Pretzel" logo for Columbia Pictures Television, then the Torch Ladies of the 1980s & 1990s. Right now, that logo would be Sony Pictures Television to the chagrin of many a logophile.
I can listen to this forever!
Theme song was jammin
Yes!!! The theme song...with lyrics. I thought I had imagined this version. Thanks for the upload!
This theme was the best. Gospel like. Loved this show, so funny and underrated
The intro and outro was a Lamont Dozier masterpiece, one of the best TV theme music ever recorded.
Randy Watson I never forget your cameo in this series.
Yeah he was on the "What's going down episode ". Lol!
As Joe the policeman 😂
That opening was about ten years ahead of its time. Looks like 1985.
Only thing is this was back in 1975.
IKR? The camera work & plot-related pictures are breathtaking. And it's incredible how a real DC house & storefront were found that perfectly matched the interiors of the Curtis family home & Oscar's Barber Shop for a sitcom of the era. Too bad it didn't last longer than even season 1.
Rest easy Lamont Dozier. Singer of the theme song
One of my favorite theme songs of all time!! ❤️
It's a shame this show only lasted 1.5 seasons. This intro/outro was radically different from season one. Still a great tune, I kinda prefer the raw '70s Funk of season 1 intro/outro.
It actually lasted 2 seasons.
This show should have lasted longer than it did, its a shame :/
Agreed.
I agree, I binged on this in 2016 for all 39 episodes as I only saw one here and there. ABC tried to bill this as their answer to Sanford and Son. With that type of billing, I can see why many tuned out in 1975 and 1976. As I saw the episodes, I was expecting Merritt to have wisecracks and a canny view of the world as Fred Sanford did on Sanford. There were many mistakes made on this show that hurt the success of it. The series mainly focused on Clifton (who was a big name at the time) not 'mama'. Mama was more of a supporting role. The cast changes also didn't help
@@GSU2004 Great point. I also think that with Sanford & also the Jeffersons and Good Times also being on at the same time on the rival stations at the time (Kiddies Fox did not appear until about a decade later FYI)I think if Fox or some basic cable channels existed then in 1974-'75 this could have been a long running hit. No doubt I am sure the creators of the later hit films "Barbershop" was influenced by this underrated show.
@@GSU2004 Clifton Davis down spiral into drugs and alcohol played a part of the sitcom being cancelled. By the Grace of God he overcame the destruction that nearly killed him and was given a second chance and starred in another sitcom which portrayed his real life career as a Preacher.
@@SouthSideLadyWright The result? Amen.
“Oh yea!”
I NEVER KNEW THIS WAS A REAL SHOW!! I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A PART OF A BIT IN COMING TO AMERICA.... MY ENTIRE LIFE IS A LIE!!!!
Soon as I heard this again after so many years, I just knew that was Lamont Dozier singing. Looked it up and sure enough lol.
The font is called "Piegnot" in the opening and closing credits of this show you watching now.
OH MY 1975! That means I watched & remembers these shows when they first aired! Watching on a tube tv with my parents & probably my brothers because at 10,11 yrs old back in the 70s the parents told us what to watch on tv.
So true! My dad always had first choice on the channel (we only had three in 75!)
I loved the show and the song is so intricate. Inlove the bassline and funky chords
Looking for the “Whats Goin’ Down?” episode.
I'm sorry but I doubt it exists.
You know him as Joe the policeman from the "what's going down" episode of That's my mama
Loved that the show that show, that’s why I have the DVD💯💯
Me too
I remember watching this on rerun back in the mid 80s. I also remember there was like a jazzier instrumental opening theme as well. This just reminds me that I'm getting old......
Yeah, that was the Season 1 opening.
Facts 💯 use to watch this in the early 80’s . Good years ✊🏿
@@FaytLinegod Much preferred the season 1 theme myself. Kind of similar sounding to "Pick Up the Pieces" a Number #1 Pop Instrumental Funk Jazz song of that same period.
It is strange seeing Issac on "The Love Boat" going from being a Hippie on "That's My Mama" to a bar tender on the "Love Boat".
Y'all took back with this one here 🙏💋❤
Sung by Lamont Dosier
Lol this is what Peter was referencing in that smoking episode
That's why we're here LoL
Yo somebody discovered their long lost mama starred in this show. How is this real life.
I miss watching this show can you please find a way to put season 1 and 2 back on.
TVone or Centric, a second-tier cable channel aimed at African-Americans, actually reran this in the fairly recent past despite lasting only two seasons.
This show had a decent run in syndication despite only having produced 39 episodes. While never a ratings hit, it became a cult classic and one of the few short-lived shows to still enjoy a sizable support after decades of cancellation. Both seasons are on DVD and I think it left off network syndication in the late 1980s before going to a few cable stations.
There were talks of bringing the show back given the success of the revival of What's Happening but the numbers couldn't add up to make it work.
Does anyone have the pilot episode. It was actually names The Furst Family of Washington and it starred Godfrey Cambridge
Is that Lamont Doizer with this version?
Yes it is. Lamont came up with the music and lyrics.
@@jnadle1 i wish cee lo would do this reboot.
He Produced 14 U.S. Billboard #1 Hits & 4 Number 1 Hits In The UK. And This Was The Best Theme Song & Too Underrated.
DAMMMMMMMMMM this was mentioned in the MOVIE " coming to america "
Yep, and people think the episode referred to in the movie was an actual one, lol.
@@GSU2004 But they would eventually come to find out that the "What's Going Down" episode of "That's My Mama" does NOT exist.
Videotaped at ABC Television Center in HOLLYWOOD the home to Barney Miller, Break the Bank & Split Second with the late Tom Kennedy, Let's Make a Deal with the late Monty Hall, Family Feud with the late Richard Dawson, SOAP, Benson with the late Robert Guillaume, American Bandstand with the late TV Icon Dick Clark and Bruce Forayth's Hot Streak with the late Bruce Forsyth
Didn't Arsenio Hall as the reverend in Coming to america make a reference to this show?
Anybody have the “What’s Goin’ Down” episode?
That was just a line from a scene of a 1980s Eddie Murphy film called "Coming To America". The "What's going down episode" doesn't exist.
@@Otto8845 I know. I was joking
@@gitgeronimo9375
Fair enough.
Today , executives would have complained about the song being too long "we are missing 4 commercials!!"
What street in PRE gentrified DC is this
Q Street in Georgetown
@@kipdr Thanks for that info.
which columbia logo did it followed by
The CPT "Pretzel" logo originally followed this.
@@dwsh1 it got plastered in syndication by the Coca-Cola torch lady, the CPE Torch to the sony bars.
The "Charging Pretzel" logo for Columbia Pictures Television, then the Torch Ladies of the 1980s & 1990s. Right now, that logo would be Sony Pictures Television to the chagrin of many a logophile.
Baretta came on after this show. Or was it Starsky and Hutch?
I didn’t really care for this version of the theme song. I liked the other one better.
I disagree with you
This site is BS it don't even show the program excuse my language
I can’t I’d get a Copyright strike. And my site would be gone. Wish I could.
Keely teslow purple saith and blue jeans good
Crappy intro . The first year intro was so good .