Mom/Facts of Life character comparisons

[RetroGuy2000]

Some of you have seen "Mom", the current CBS sitcom about a group of ladies suffering from alcohol/drug addiction. The writing on Mom is quite clever, and I don't think I've ever seen a sitcom quite like it.

I often see the characters of FOL compared to those on The Golden Girls, but Mom has a cast that harkens back to FOL, too. The main cast is all female, much like FOL, although it didn't start out that way (originally there were more characters, but they are no longer regularly on the show, after a Cast Purge changed the direction of the show, and they changed the main set). There are currently six women in the opening credits.

Jill is a self-absorbed, very rich woman who is obsessed with her looks and status. She uses her wealth and looks to get what she wants, but she does love the other girls, and they her.

Marjorie is the oldest of "the gals": the wise one who dispenses good advice when they eat quiche (or whatever) at the restaurant. The gals always come to her for advice.

Tammy is very butch, with masculine mannerisms. She always wears her hair in a ponytail, and she's usually wearing sweats.

Wendy is used only for comic relief. She's never had her own episode, and she's kind of an outcast from "the group". She's constantly being interrupted by other characters, before she even has a chance to speak.

Christy is the short blonde girl who often dresses very plainly, but who can be transformed into a beautiful girl when needed. She comes from a broken home, and is a little shy at times. Because she has no self-confidence, a rude comment can send her into a tailspin, but she does often manage to fight back. She holds grudges when someone hurts her feelings.

Bonnie is Christy's mother; she doesn't really have a FOL analogue, IMO.

[cfr1970]

I only watched the first couple of seasons of that show and then tuned out, so I can't make any FOL comparisons. Is it recommended for someone looking for new sitcoms to tune into? I remember the writing was pretty good and had a realistic edge to it which I liked.

But usually sitcoms go down in quality as they get older, especially the modern ones....is this one still good quality in your opinion? If so, i'll get the complete series after it ends and then watch it. (I don't want to jump back in during the middle/end of the series. I figure best wait till it's over and binge.)

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by cfr1970

I only watched the first couple of seasons of that show and then tuned out, so I can't make any FOL comparisons. Is it recommended for someone looking for new sitcoms to tune into? I remember the writing was pretty good and had a realistic edge to it which I liked.

But usually sitcoms go down in quality as they get older, especially the modern ones....is this one still good quality in your opinion? If so, i'll get the complete series after it ends and then watch it. (I don't want to jump back in during the middle/end of the series. I figure best wait till it's over and binge.)

I can't speak for everyone else, but I adore it. Christy's struggle feels very real, and, like you, I liked that realistic edge.

I feel like the show has maintained a good quality: the premise has shifted (it started out centered around Christy's family, but now is much more centered around her new family: "the gals"), but it's still entertaining and funny, and a few episodes were tearjerkers.

I was surprised at how many comparisons I could make between the characters.

[cfr1970]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I can't speak for everyone else, but I adore it. Christy's struggle feels very real, and, like you, I liked that realistic edge.

I feel like the show has maintained a good quality: the premise has shifted (it started out centered around Christy's family, but now is much more centered around her new family: "the gals"), but it's still entertaining and funny, and a few episodes were tearjerkers.

I was surprised at how many comparisons I could make between the characters.

I remember the first couple of seasons had really good serious episodes that were tearjerkers. It reminded me of the serious tones the Norman Lear sitcoms of the 70's took and I liked that.

When it's finished i'll get the series and watch it. I think it's been on like 7 seasons now so i'll have lots of episodes to binge on...and now i'll be looking for the FOL comparisons in it.

[Lorimar Television]

Interesting so you’re thinking:
Marjory= Mrs G
Jill= Blair
Wendy= Natalie
Tammy= Jo
Christy= Tootie?

Tammy is relatively new, I’d say Bonnie is more Jo, a tough woman who was on the streets much of her life. Now if we add the lost chars we would have:

Violet= Nancy, pregnant before marriage and most storylines involve boyfriends, also has a storyline after she’s been demoted
Roscoe= Molly, doesn’t have many storylines and doesnt appear after losing main status
Baxter= Sue Ann, cause he smokes dope plus has the most storylines of the purged cast
Luke= Roger cause he’s “Nancy’s” boyfriend

[Lorimar Television]

Originally Posted by cfr1970

I only watched the first couple of seasons of that show and then tuned out, so I can't make any FOL comparisons. Is it recommended for someone looking for new sitcoms to tune into? I remember the writing was pretty good and had a realistic edge to it which I liked.

But usually sitcoms go down in quality as they get older, especially the modern ones....is this one still good quality in your opinion? If so, i'll get the complete series after it ends and then watch it. (I don't want to jump back in during the middle/end of the series. I figure best wait till it's over and binge.)

Honestly I enjoy the show a lot, despite losing a lot of cast from early seasons the current cast is great

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

Interesting so you’re thinking:
Marjory= Mrs G
Jill= Blair
Wendy= Natalie
Tammy= Jo
Christy= Tootie?

Naw, I was thinking
Wendy = Nancy
Christy = Cindy

Tammy is relatively new, I’d say Bonnie is more Jo, a tough woman who was on the streets much of her life. Now if we add the lost chars we would have:

Violet= Nancy, pregnant before marriage and most storylines involve boyfriends, also has a storyline after she’s been demoted
Roscoe= Molly, doesn’t have many storylines and doesnt appear after losing main status
Baxter= Sue Ann, cause he smokes dope plus has the most storylines of the purged cast
Luke= Roger cause he’s “Nancy’s” boyfriend

I can see the Bonnie/Jo comparison as well as the Violet/Nancy comparison, now that you've made it. Roscoe/Molly made me laugh VERY hard!

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by cfr1970

I remember the first couple of seasons had really good serious episodes that were tearjerkers. It reminded me of the serious tones the Norman Lear sitcoms of the 70's took and I liked that.

When it's finished i'll get the series and watch it. I think it's been on like 7 seasons now so i'll have lots of episodes to binge on...and now i'll be looking for the FOL comparisons in it.

(BTW, in just a few more posts, you're going to hit 1,000 posts. Congratulations!)

[cfr1970]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

(BTW, in just a few more posts, you're going to hit 1,000 posts. Congratulations!)

Oh shoot, I didn't even notice! Wow...I think I need to get out more.

Now I remember why I tuned out of MOM. There was an episode where Christy dates a fireman I think, and she kept talking about his large manhood, and even with her mother. I just found it tasteless and that's why I stopped watching.
It looked like it was heading towards the gutter level of 2 Broke Girls comedy, and I despised that show. I did a happy dance when I read that trash was cancelled!

[Lorimar Television]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Naw, I was thinking
Wendy = Nancy
Christy = Cindy



I can see the Bonnie/Jo comparison as well as the Violet/Nancy comparison, now that you've made it. Roscoe/Molly made me laugh VERY hard!

Oh well that’s good cuz I didn’t have one for Cindy anyway! I was thinking Regina might be Tootie but... there’s not much reason besides... yeah.
HAHA!!!! Glad you liked it.

[Lorimar Television]

Originally Posted by cfr1970

Oh shoot, I didn't even notice! Wow...I think I need to get out more.

Now I remember why I tuned out of MOM. There was an episode where Christy dates a fireman I think, and she kept talking about his large manhood, and even with her mother. I just found it tasteless and that's why I stopped watching.
It looked like it was heading towards the gutter level of 2 Broke Girls comedy, and I despised that show. I did a happy dance when I read that trash was cancelled!

Haha mom is actually a lot less tasteless after s2, it has some moments but not many. You only saw the first season wow! You only saw the original apartment they lived in. You never met Jill or Wendy, especially not Tammy or Adam! You’re in for huge changes.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

Oh well that’s good cuz I didn’t have one for Cindy anyway! I was thinking Regina might be Tootie but... there’s not much reason besides... yeah.

Yeah.

HAHA!!!! Glad you liked it.

Sue Ann/Baxter is also VERY funny!

[cfr1970]

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

Haha mom is actually a lot less tasteless after s2, it has some moments but not many. You only saw the first season wow! You only saw the original apartment they lived in. You never met Jill or Wendy, especially not Tammy or Adam! You’re in for huge changes.

Ok, i'll keep it on my list of complete series to get when it ends.

This is my 999th post....gee, I feel like I should save my 1,000th post for something big!!...Oooh...I know!! New thread coming up!!

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by cfr1970

Oh shoot, I didn't even notice! Wow...I think I need to get out more.

Now I remember why I tuned out of MOM. There was an episode where Christy dates a fireman I think, and she kept talking about his large manhood, and even with her mother. I just found it tasteless and that's why I stopped watching.
It looked like it was heading towards the gutter level of 2 Broke Girls comedy, and I despised that show. I did a happy dance when I read that trash was cancelled!

I never watched 2BG, and turned it off after one partial episode, for the exact same reason. Trashy.

I think there are only a few episodes of Mom that I'd call trashy (probably different writers). Most are really respectful, and there are many that I'd say will become culturally significant, in the Norman Lear sense.

[Lorimar Television]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I never watched 2BG, and turned it off after one partial episode, for the exact same reason. Trashy.

I think there are only a few episodes of Mom that I'd call trashy (probably different writers). Most are really respectful, and there are many that I'd say will become culturally significant, in the Norman Lear sense.

Yes. The Jody Eps are so rough especially.