Anyone who watches Carol Burnett's "Eunice" sketches, or Vicki Lawrence on "Mama's Family," knows Raytown is the White Trash capital of America, situated somewhere in the Midwest. You have to hand it to Eunice, though, knowing who Ruth Roman is!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But what about Tim Conway as Mickey Hart? His performance is brilliant, but is he supposed to be special needs? And what about when, as Eunice says, he and Ed Higgins "make goo goo eyes at each other?" Is there more that is going on than what is being said????????????
I have to wonder about all this, because why would Ed keep on a moron like Mickey?
Maybe Mickey is meant to be a spokesperson for the special needs and disabled, showing them to be capable of holding a job. At least, that is what I would like to think.
But there has never been a backstory for Mickey Hart, and I think the time has come for one.
Same with Aunt Fran on "Mama's Family!" Because she is Rue McClanahan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good question; perhaps it’s no longer politically correct to feature special needs individuals in comedic roles??
ReplyDeleteVictoria, I think you are on to something, since I don't recall any recent special needs characters used comedically.
ReplyDeleteI aalways thought it was pretty clear he was meant to be seen as the "R" word, and in those days strictly for mean spirited laughs at his expense (although now and then the depiction softened or deepened). Mama and Eunice were mystified by Ed's fawning over him, but it was mostly jealousy on Eunice' part because she (correctly) interpreted it as her husband preferring the company of a mentally challenged male to his own wife (just one more cross for Eunice to bear).
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