Meet ‘Mama’ herself! News 5 interviews Vicki Lawrence at Pensacon 2024

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — Pensacon is known for attracting celebrities, authors, and other famous guests, and digital reporter Summer Poole is at Day 2 of the convention, interviewing some of them. This article features Poole’s interview with Vicki Lawrence.

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Lawrence, according to Pensacon’s website, is a multi-talented actress, comedian and singer. She is “known for the many characters she originated on CBS’s ‘The Carol Burnett Show,’ where she appeared from 1967 to 1978, for the entire series run.

One such character, Thelma Harper/Mama, was the central character of a popular television sitcom, “Mama’s Family.”

Although her decades-long career has been multi-faceted, having guest-starred in shows like “Hannah Montana” as well, Lawrence says she is most proud of a simple moment, a decision, that started it all.

“I’m proud that I wrote that fan letter to Carol Burnett and that started my career,” she said.

Lawrence said the industry has changed quite a bit since that pivotal moment.

“It’s very public now,” she said. “There’s always someone with a camera pointed at you, there’s all that social media.”

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She adds that she would be hesitant to recommend the industry to newcomers.

“So, when people ask me if I have advice for them starting in this industry…I don’t even know that I would choose this industry nowadays,” she said. “It’s just so different, it’s very invasive. When I was a kid growing up, I was allowed to be a kid and do stupid things and it was fine. It’s very different now. It’s tough, it’s a very tough business now.”

Throughout her career, the many projects Lawrence has been involved in have “blown up,” and been successful, but the key was never to think of that result, she said.

“I think you’re only trying to do your best work and you can’t really think about what’s going to happen to something down the road,” she said. “I’ve been incredibly lucky, but you’re always trying to do your best work.”

Lawrence says she has been enjoying Pensacon 2024. She said that although she loves seeing all of the costumes, her favorite part is meeting her fans.

“It’s just great to hear from your fans what you mean to them – it’s great to talk to them all,” she said.

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And Lawrence says she has enjoyed her time in Pensacola.

“It seems like a charming, small town,” she said. “The folks have been very nice.”

The event continues Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Pensacola Bay Center.

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