The TV junkies among us practically grew up with two sets of moms: the
real one — who loves you and changed your diapers — and the classic sitcom mothers who raised their kids with quippy one-liners.
Ahead of Mother’s Day, The Post checked in with women who have played some of television’s most beloved moms about their best (and not-so-good) memories of the holiday — and how their TV families might have honored them.
Doris Roberts
Played: Marie Barone on “Everybody Loves Raymond”
On screen: “[If my TV family celebrated Mother’s Day], there would be a lot of Champagne. We would miss Peter Boyle [who played Frank, Marie’s husband], who unfortunately is not with us any longer. He was the antithesis of the characters that he played. He was a wonderful man, and I miss him terribly.”
Real life: Mom to Michael Cannata
“When he was not quite 16, my son broke his neck in a swimming accident. It was really terrible, and we weren’t sure how it was gonna turn out. When Mother’s Day came around, the operation had been very successful, and he was going to have a proper life. That was the best present you could give me. I think being a mother [is] my greatest contribution to the world.
“Mother’s Day was a problem for me, because I didn’t get on with my mother-in-law. So when it came to Mother’s Day, I just had to find a way to get through it. She wasn’t a very pleasant human being, unfortunately.”
Marion Ross
Played: Marion Cunningham on “Happy Days”
On screen: “[I imagine Marion would] get all dressed up . . . only to be taken to Arnold’s for a burger!”
Real life: Mom to Ellen Plummer and Jim Meskimen
“One year, my daughter said, ‘We’re going to Las Vegas’ — the last place I wanna go. Then she says, ‘We’re going to get to see the “Happy Days” slot machine’ — another thing I’m not keen on [the show’s cast sued CBS over merchandising royalties].
“[Later] she says, ‘There’s one more thing.’ We drive to a clinic. [Inside], there is a sonogram, and she says, ‘This is your granddaughter.’”
Estelle Harris
Played: Estelle Costanza on “Seinfeld”
On screen: “If George Costanza ever made me a meal for Mother’s Day, it would be a fiasco. Everything would turn out awful. He would probably do it the wrong way — he’d be breaking the dishes, inviting the wrong people, ruining everything.”
Real life: Mom to Taryn, Glen and Eric Harris
“I don’t like any of these holidays. I feel like they’re brought out strictly to earn money. I like every day to mean something, and not just celebrate it because it has a name.”
Vicki Lawrence
Played: Thelma “Mama” Harper on “Mama’s Family”
On screen: “I think Mama would have said, ‘All I wanna do is jump in a Calgon bath and have a beer and y’all just leave me alone.’”
Real life: Mom to Courtney and Garrett Schultz
“Mother’s Day is not so much about you for a lot of years. Maybe you get a flower or candy, but you have to entertain your own mother and your husband’s mother. So the best Mother’s Day is when you finally get home, have a glass of wine and say, ‘Thank god it’s over.’ ”
Becky Ann Baker
Plays/Played: Loreen Horvath on “Girls”; Jean Weir on “Freaks and Geeks”
On screen: “Hannah probably wrote these terrific poems to Loreen every Mother’s Day.”
Real life: Mom to Willa Baker
“My first Mother’s Day was the best, because it took us almost six years to become pregnant. [Her husband is actor Dylan Baker.] My husband is really sweet with Mother’s Day. He’ll find a book that I’ve been waiting to read, and maybe take us out to dinner. They know not to get me chocolates. I’m always [on] Weight Watchers.”