Anna Faris Hurt by Chuck Lorre's Memoir Comments

Anna Faris Hurt by Chuck Lorre’s Memoir Comments

by

Actress Anna Faris expressed surprise and hurt following the publication of memoir remarks by her former CBS sitcom boss Chuck Lorre, who revealed he initially doubted her casting in Mom and felt vindicated by her departure in 2020 after seven seasons.

Hollywood creative Chuck Lorre released his new memoir, Sitcom, bringing fresh tension to an old television collaboration. The book revisits the 2013 launch of the CBS comedy series Mom, starring Anna Faris alongside Allison Janney. According to the text, Lorre initially rejected the idea of casting Faris as recovering alcoholic and single mother Christy Plunkett, noting doubts about whether she suited the material. He wrote that his turbulent history with actor Charlie Sheen on Two and a Half Men eventually persuaded him to reconsider and offer Faris the lead part.

Lorre noted in his memoir that his initial reservations had been correct when Faris left the show after seven seasons for mysterious reasons that were not mysterious to anyone on the show. The television creator recalled that he had initially said no because he was not sure Anna would be appropriate for that kind of material. He added that someone’s personal life is none of his business, reflecting that the mom in Mom would be, and should be, Anna Faris. Sources close to Faris pointed out that she gave seven years of her life to the show, building an audience and helping create a successful series.

Anna Faris Responds to Memoir Remarks on Instagram

The memoir disclosures caught Faris unaware. In an Instagram post shared on Thursday afternoon, she acknowledged reading the text and admitted the remarks stung. Yikes. Yes, I read a few things. I really didn’t see that coming. Of course it hurts, she wrote, while maintaining appreciation for her time on the production. She added that Chuck gave her a job she loved and that she never took a day of it for granted across seven seasons.

I’m proud of what we made together and nothing changes how grateful I am for those people and those years.

Anna Faris, via TheWrap

Friends of the actress felt it was absurd that Lorre claimed his reservations were proven right after she spent seven years making people laugh and helping build a hit program. Lorre’s representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the reaction.

"Happy Sad Confused"

Chuck Lorre Cites Vindicated Doubts After 2020 Exit

Faris departed the sitcom in 2020 ahead of its eighth and final season, which concluded in 2021. At the time of her exit, she thanked the network, writers, and castmates while expressing intentions to pursue new opportunities. In his book, however, Lorre argued that her departure confirmed his initial misgivings. As the years went by, the creator wrote that it became apparent his early reluctance was correct, alleging she left for reasons that were transparent to the cast and crew.

Friends of the actress characterized the memoir comments as harsh, arguing that the showrunner could have chosen more generosity toward someone who built an audience for the series over seven years. Meanwhile, Lorre praised the later episodes of the comedy, arguing that the series found its definitive voice in its final stretch by emphasizing recovery from alcoholism, though he expressed frustration that CBS ultimately canceled the show.

Sitcom legend Chuck Lorre had doubts about casting Anna Faris in “Mom.” REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
Photo: The Daily Beast

Lorre defended that the show found its true voice in its final seasons, adding that there is hope and there is laughter in overcoming the seemingly fatal disease of alcoholism. He also wrote that CBS decided they could live without a perfect cast led by a national treasure when they cancelled a show starring Allison Janney. Janney had played Christy’s mom Bonnie, a fellow recovering alcoholic and substance abuser who lived with her.

Sobriety Revelation and Career Reflection

Alongside her response to the book, Faris shared a personal update regarding her health. She revealed that she has been sober for a year and a half, drawing a direct parallel between her fictional television role and her real life. She noted that she was on a show about recovery and subsequently lived it. Earlier in the year, Faris discussed on podcasts how the intense production schedule contributed to a complicated time in her career and led her to reevaluate her relationship with acting and self-sabotage.

Why Chuck Lorre Felt Vindicated After Anna Faris Left Mom | E! News

Faris opened up about her decision to leave the program during a June appearance on Josh Horowitz’s podcast, saying she started to lose her focus and calling the show a marathon. She explained that the show’s long run had taken its toll on her and noted she had never held a job besides waitressing for over three and a half months before taking on the role. Faris added that she had to take a step back and avoid self-sabotage, sharing on another podcast that there is a correlation between drinking and depression for her.

More on Chuck Lorre

Chuck Lorre Finally Reveals His True Feelings About Anna Faris Leaving Mom

Keep reading

Read next