Chuck Lorre Says Anna Faris' Exit From 'Mom' Confirmed His Casting Concerns
The sitcom creator detailed his initial hesitation to cast Faris and reflected on her departure in his new memoir.
Chuck Lorre, co-creator of the CBS comedy "Mom," stated in his new memoir, "Sitcom," that Anna Faris' departure from the show for "mysterious reasons" vindicated his initial doubts about casting her. Despite Faris being the network's preferred choice for the role of Christy Plunkett, Lorre expressed reservations.
"I wasn’t sure Anna would be appropriate for this kind of material," Lorre wrote in his book. He drew a parallel to his difficult working relationship with Charlie Sheen on "Two and a Half Men," a situation he described as having been poorly handled.
Lorre's memoir also recounts his experiences on "Two and a Half Men," where he claimed actress Melanie Lynskey was "terrified" of Sheen during the filming of the show's final episode before Sheen's 2011 exit. Lorre also noted that the cast and crew operated in a state of "constant anxiety" around Sheen.
After a public feud, Lorre and Sheen eventually reconciled, with Lorre casting Sheen in his HBO comedy series "Bookie." Lorre's reflections on the Sheen situation led him to reconsider his initial concerns about Faris, concluding that "Someone’s personal life is none of my business."
Faris starred in "Mom" alongside Allison Janney from 2013 to 2020, departing the series before its eighth season. Reflecting on her exit, Lorre wrote, "As the years went by, it became apparent that my initial reluctance to hire Anna was, in fact, correct. After six years, she left the show for mysterious reasons that were not mysterious to anyone on the show."
Despite his feelings about Faris' departure, Lorre praised the show's later seasons for finding "its true voice" in depicting the journey of overcoming alcoholism. He also expressed criticism towards CBS for canceling the series after eight seasons, calling it a decision to cancel "a show starring Allison Janney," whom he referred to as a "national treasure."
In a June appearance on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast, Faris discussed her decision to leave "Mom," citing an intensity that led her to "lose my focus." She noted that the prolonged nature of the job was a significant factor in her decision during a "complicated time."
