<P> After Mama's Family was canceled by NBC in 1984, it was later relaunched in first - run syndication in 1986 . Lorimar had merged with Telepictures and were looking for projects for first - run syndication, and after seeing the show's ratings in the summer reruns, it decided that the show needed a second chance and ordered 100 episodes for syndication . </P> <P> Since the original set had been destroyed, a new set had to be constructed . This led to some significant changes in set design details . Adjustments in the show's cast occurred as well, with only Vicki Lawrence (Thelma), Ken Berry (Vinton) and Dorothy Lyman (Naomi) returning as regulars from the first life of the sitcom . Vinton's kids from his first marriage, Buzz (played by Eric Brown) and Sonja (played by Karin Argoud), who were regulars in the show's first life, did not reprise their roles for the show's revival; their characters, though mentioned briefly in the first episode of the show's syndicated life, were never to be spoken of again . </P> <P> During the hiatus of the series, both Rue McClanahan (Aunt Fran) and Betty White (Ellen Jackson) had both gone on to star in the NBC sitcom The Golden Girls, rendering them unavailable to return . White, however, did return as Ellen for one episode in 1986 while Fran was killed off in the first episode of the revival . Carol Burnett and Harvey Korman, meanwhile, did not reprise their roles either, resulting in their characters (Eunice and Ed Higgins) being written out as having moved to Florida . </P> <P> To fill the void left by Mama's grandchildren, Allan Kayser was cast as Thelma's delinquent teenage grandson Mitchel "Bubba" Higgins . Bubba was the son of Ed and Eunice . Bubba was ordered to live with his grandmother after being released from juvenile hall and placed on probation . Also added to the cast was Beverly Archer, who played the new character of Iola Boylen, the family's prissy neighbor and Mama's best friend . Her catchphrase was calling out "Knock, knock!" in place of ringing the doorbell . </P>

Why did they kill off fran on mama's family