Anna Faris and Allison Janney as their daughter and mom characters in “Mom.” Faris announced she is leaving the successful sitcom.
By BERNICE FOX
Fans are shaking their heads, trying to figure out why Anna Faris is leaving “Mom” when it’s still enjoying great ratings and her character, Christy, is central to the story.
Here’s a sample of many social media comments:
“Wait, what? How do you leave Mom with your storyline unfinished? We all wanted to see Christy finish law school, start her career, get married.”
“This is not good for my abandonment issues.”
“I doubt she made this decision without giving it a lot of deliberation.”
“I’m over 2020!!! Just one blow after another.”
Faris didn’t go beneath the surface when she issued this statement on Friday. “The past seven years on ‘Mom’ have been some of the most fulfilling and rewarding of my career.”
She gave her first thanks to fellow Pacific Palisades resident Chuck Lorre, who created the series. “I’m so thankful to Chuck, the writers, and my amazing castmates for creating a truly wonderful work experience.”
And she gave this vague reason for leaving the series. “While my journey as Christy has come to an end, allowing me to pursue new opportunities, I’ll be watching next season and rooting for my TV family.”
In return, Lorre and the companies involved with producing and distributing the series, issued this statement. “From the inception of ‘Mom,’ Anna was the first and only choice for the role of Christy. We are so proud of the stories we have been able to tell during Anna’s seven years with us. We wish Anna all the best, and we thank her for her beautiful portrayal.”
Anna Faris has starred with Allison Janney on “Mom” on CBS since it began in 2013, playing now-sober daughter and mom who have repaired their previously tattered relationship. Though they are the central story, there are several other characters who fill out this sitcom.
It’s been reported that Faris and Janney are in the middle of a new two-year contract which would take them through an eighth season. Because of COVID-19, that eighth season has not yet started production, but is expected to begin soon.
It’s also been reported that Faris’ departure was a well-kept secret that Lorre and the writing staff knew. In that way, writers had time to prepare for upcoming scripts without the Christy character.
Anna Faris continues to host her podcast.
Meantime, Faris continues to record episodes of the podcast she’s been hosting for nearly five years called “Anna Faris is Unqualified.” She chats with guest celebrities and encourages listeners to submit questions about relationships and other topics which she says she and her guests are unqualified to answer. These questions are added to the general chat.
Who knows if Faris will return to a sitcom? Los Angeles-based actors who are parents often say there’s no better job than a role in a sitcom because the days generally are regular and there’s no out-of-town travel.
Faris lives in the Palisades with her son, Jack, who just turned 8. Jack also spends time with his dad, Chris Pratt, who lives in the Palisades as well. Faris and Pratt divorced in 2018 after 9 years of marriage. Pratt now is married to Katherine Schwarzenegger. She gave birth last month to a daughter, Lyla Maria Schwarzenegger Pratt.
Anna Faris with her now ex-husband, Chris Pratt and the couple’s son, Jack, in April 2017 when Pratt received his star on the Hollyood Walk of Fame.