TMC
01-01-2015, 11:57 PM
http://www.twcc.com/articles/2014/12/27/5/5-ways-to-fix-mom-on-cbs
It was inevitable that when Charlie Sheen crashed and burned and had to be replaced on Two and A Half Men, that creator Chuck Lorre would take another stab at creating a show that features an overly dysfunctional family unit. He did so by creating the series Mom, which is incredibly similar to Two and A Half Men, except that this series has a more feminine perspective. The result has been a hilarious sitcom starring Anna Faris as a recently sober, single mother raising two children. Helping her out is her mother, also hitting the AA Meetings, played utterly beautifully by actress Allison Janney (The West Wing). This new show has already received attention for Allison Janney at award season, but with a few tweaks this show could finally dethrone ABC’s Modern Family as the best sitcom on television.
Mom starring Anna Faris and Allison Janney airs on CBS Thursdays at 8:30 pm ET.
More Allison Janney Monologues
When Allison Janney was on The West Wing, it became clear that some of her best work was while she was just trying to figure out things on her own. Who could forget the episode in which she had to choose the turkey to be pardoned on Thanksgiving Day as 3 large birds sat in her office? Now that she is on Mom, Lorre would be wise to continue to let Janney have these moments alone to do the work she does best. She has already been nominated for a Primetime Emmy and just recently for a Golden Globe Award. Giving Janney more monologues would give her the ammunition to bring home a few of these awards for Mom.
Invite Chris Pratt (Mr. Anna Faris) to Guest Star
Chris Pratt, the husband of Mom’s Anna Faris, has had a stellar summer with the release of his blockbuster film The Guardians of the Galaxy. Already a sitcom veteran from his work on NBC’s Parks and Recreation, Pratt would have no problem adding to the mix of this dysfunctional family unit. In fact, he would make a great long-lost son of Allison Janney and brother to Anna Faris. This idea may already be simmering in the mind of Mom creator Chuck Lorre as he often brought on Charlie Sheen’s real father Martin Sheen for guest shots on Two and A Half Men.
Introduce Darker ‘Sobriety’ Storylines
The main theme that ties the actors together is their efforts to stay sober, but most of their acknowledgement of their sobriety are sarcastic quips that go for the quick laughs. Adding in some more serious, darker and dramatic storylines around their efforts would give Mom more dimension and elevate the show to an even better version of itself.
Craft a Crossover episode with Two Broke Girls
Right now the most watched sitcom on CBS is Two Broke Girls and well, the title says it all. A one-episode crossover would be hilarious as two broke girls and two girls trying to stay sober could become four girls that electrify the sitcom world!
Phase French Stewart into the Background
Anna Faris’ character Christy is a waitress by profession. Series regular French Stewart (3rd Rock from the Sun) plays against Faris as Chef Rudy at this exclusive restaurant. Unfortunately, the play between Faris and Stewart often falls flat. Since Faris shines around her other co-stars, it’s time to say farewell to Chef Rudy for good.
It was inevitable that when Charlie Sheen crashed and burned and had to be replaced on Two and A Half Men, that creator Chuck Lorre would take another stab at creating a show that features an overly dysfunctional family unit. He did so by creating the series Mom, which is incredibly similar to Two and A Half Men, except that this series has a more feminine perspective. The result has been a hilarious sitcom starring Anna Faris as a recently sober, single mother raising two children. Helping her out is her mother, also hitting the AA Meetings, played utterly beautifully by actress Allison Janney (The West Wing). This new show has already received attention for Allison Janney at award season, but with a few tweaks this show could finally dethrone ABC’s Modern Family as the best sitcom on television.
Mom starring Anna Faris and Allison Janney airs on CBS Thursdays at 8:30 pm ET.
More Allison Janney Monologues
When Allison Janney was on The West Wing, it became clear that some of her best work was while she was just trying to figure out things on her own. Who could forget the episode in which she had to choose the turkey to be pardoned on Thanksgiving Day as 3 large birds sat in her office? Now that she is on Mom, Lorre would be wise to continue to let Janney have these moments alone to do the work she does best. She has already been nominated for a Primetime Emmy and just recently for a Golden Globe Award. Giving Janney more monologues would give her the ammunition to bring home a few of these awards for Mom.
Invite Chris Pratt (Mr. Anna Faris) to Guest Star
Chris Pratt, the husband of Mom’s Anna Faris, has had a stellar summer with the release of his blockbuster film The Guardians of the Galaxy. Already a sitcom veteran from his work on NBC’s Parks and Recreation, Pratt would have no problem adding to the mix of this dysfunctional family unit. In fact, he would make a great long-lost son of Allison Janney and brother to Anna Faris. This idea may already be simmering in the mind of Mom creator Chuck Lorre as he often brought on Charlie Sheen’s real father Martin Sheen for guest shots on Two and A Half Men.
Introduce Darker ‘Sobriety’ Storylines
The main theme that ties the actors together is their efforts to stay sober, but most of their acknowledgement of their sobriety are sarcastic quips that go for the quick laughs. Adding in some more serious, darker and dramatic storylines around their efforts would give Mom more dimension and elevate the show to an even better version of itself.
Craft a Crossover episode with Two Broke Girls
Right now the most watched sitcom on CBS is Two Broke Girls and well, the title says it all. A one-episode crossover would be hilarious as two broke girls and two girls trying to stay sober could become four girls that electrify the sitcom world!
Phase French Stewart into the Background
Anna Faris’ character Christy is a waitress by profession. Series regular French Stewart (3rd Rock from the Sun) plays against Faris as Chef Rudy at this exclusive restaurant. Unfortunately, the play between Faris and Stewart often falls flat. Since Faris shines around her other co-stars, it’s time to say farewell to Chef Rudy for good.