MovieChat Forums > What's Happening!! (1976) Discussion > Mama

Mama

posted 11 years ago by sirrap2
12 replies | jump to latest

I never understood how Mama was able to afford a house on a maid's salary. In addition to being a single parent, raising two kids without support from the custodial parent, this seemed unrealistic even for TV.

WH was based off the film Cooley High in which the Mama character in the movie was raising two kids living in a small apartment. I guess Norman Lear, or whoever produced this series didn't want to approach the low-income, living in the Projects scene like it was done with 'Good Times'. But the single mom supporting her family by scrubbing toilets but able to keep up with the expenses of running a house, just didn't seem real.

When life gives you lemons, make apple juice and let the world figure out how you did it!

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] sirrap2 11 years ago

I would agree with you except----wasn't Bill a deadbeat from jump?? It's possible to guess that maybe he had his sh*t in order when he was younger but most men who are raggedy in their forties and up were more than likely rascals in their early twenties as well.

But I'm just making friendly chit-chat, please don't take me seriously lol, by the time WH came on the air the idea of having strong, black males in heads of household roles flew out the door after James Evans was killed off.

When life gives you lemons, make apple juice and let the world figure out how you did it!

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] bmovies 11 years ago

I imagine that Mamas ex-husband was paying for part of the expenses of the household. Who knows, maybe he was paying alimony, child support, etc. But it wasnt enough, so Mama had to take a job to help ends meet.

[–] sylvia67 11 years ago

Mama worked long hours as well, she didnt seem to work 9 to 5pm... they had to take in a boarder at one time... and didnt Raj help with the bills with a part time job once? Seemed like they struggled but they werent dirt poor.

[–] MaGuFu_Day 11 years ago

Raj did help out a bit, and Bill (the dad), also worked. I could have sworn Mabel had two jobs. But I guess she didn't need to cause of Rabbit, then Shirley (as boarders).

Giving you true posts since 2001"Toot toot"-Charles Doyle Haas

[–] Gordon_Gartrelle 11 years ago

...I can't breath.

You don't know me.
You only think you do.

[–] zapatera 11 years ago

To the original poster, a "custodial parent" is the one the kids are with with most, or has custody. Bill was barely around so he wasn't the custodial parent. Mabel was. Sorry, just had to point that out.

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] jefgg 11 years ago

Couldn't Mama have inherited the house?

[–] Ltay328 10 years ago

They lives in Watts. Not the greatest area In the 70s. It looked to be like it was low income housing.

[–] 10 years ago

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