Anna Faris Responds to Chuck Lorre's Memoir Remarks

Anna Faris has broken her silence following comments made by former "Mom" showrunner Chuck Lorre in his new memoir, "Sitcom," where he expressed initial reluctance about casting her in the CBS sitcom. Faris stated on Instagram that hearing Lorre's remarks "hurts," though she also expressed gratitude for the seven years she spent on the show.

In his memoir, Lorre wrote that he had reservations about hiring Faris for the lead role alongside Allison Janney. He stated that when Faris departed the series after its seventh season, he felt his initial doubts were confirmed. These comments have drawn criticism from those close to Faris, who described them as "shitty" given her significant contribution to the show.

Faris acknowledged reading Lorre's comments in his memoir, admitting, "I really didn't see that coming. Of course it hurts." She adopted a gracious tone, emphasizing the positive aspects of her experience. "Chuck gave me a job I loved, and for seven years I never took a day of it for granted," she wrote. "I'm proud of what we made together, and nothing changes how grateful I am for those people and those years."

The actress also shared an update on her personal life, noting her sobriety of over a year and a half, her current health, and increased happiness. "I've been sober for a year and a half. I was on a show about recovery and then I lived it," she explained. "Now I'm healthy, I'm working, and I'm happier than I've been in a long time." She concluded with a message of hope for her fans, stating, "If anyone reading this is where I was, I hope that's useful. It gets better. I'm proof."

"Mom," co-created by Lorre, Eddie Gorodetsky, and Gemma Baker, premiered in 2013. Faris played Christy Plunkett, a single mother in recovery, while Janney portrayed her mother, Bonnie, also in recovery. Faris announced her departure from the series in 2020, after seven seasons. The show concluded after its eighth season, which aired without her.

Lorre's memoir details his decision-making process for casting Faris, mentioning he initially hesitated, unsure if she was suitable for the material. He cryptically noted that "Someone's personal life is none of my business" before deciding she was the right fit. However, he later interpreted her exit as validation of his initial concerns, stating in the book that "Mom" only "found its true voice" after she left, despite the series airing only one more season.

In August, Faris revealed she had stopped drinking alcohol and had begun hormone therapy to manage mood swings. She discussed the correlation between drinking and depression for her, and how the hormone patch had made a significant positive difference. She described stepping back from drinking as a way to "not self-sabotage."