Actress Mimi Kennedy – who plays Marjorie on the hit show Mom – has shared an online petition started by fans who are calling for the CBS sitcom to be saved after it’s cancellation.
Yesterday, it was announced that Mom would end later this year after eight seasons, following the dramatic exit of lead star Anna Faris who left days before production was due to start last September.
However, Allison Janney told Ellen DeGeneres earlier this week that she hoped the ensemble cast would continue to ‘keep telling their story’ about the characters who deal with important subject of addiction and recovery.
‘Save the sitcom MOM!’ Actress Mimi Kennedy shared a fan petition on Thursday to rescue show after getting axed… as Allison Janney said she hoped they would ‘keep telling their story’
Mimi Kennedy, 72, wrote on her Instagram on Thursday: ‘The audience has a voice and shouldn’t be be ignored,’ promising to share the Change.org petition.
Meanwhile Kristen Johnston, 53, who plays recovering addict Tammy Diffendor on the show, also shared her disappointment with the cancellation on Wednesday.
‘Such a huge bummer,’ Kristen tweeted. ‘This show has been such a total joy & honor to be a part of. It’s been life-changing for me to be on a show that’s about recovery & women supporting each other thru thick & thin. Plus, Mom has the BEST fans ever.’
How they are now: The eighth season of Mom features its regulars, Mimi Kennedy, Kristen Johnston, Allison Janney, Jaime Pressley and Beth Hall
More stories to tell? Allison Janney made it clear earlier this week she wanted the show to continue
Speaking out: Mimi Kennedy (pictured left) shared a fan petition to save the show on Thursday, meanwhile Kristen Johnston (right) shared her disappointment on Twitter
It’s not uncommon for TV shows to be saved by the likes of Hulu or Netflix. They have previously revived the likes of Arrested Development, The Killing, Full House, and The Mindy Project.
Executive producers Chuck Lorre, Gemma Baker and Nick Bakay, said in a statement yesterday: ‘For the past eight years, we’ve had the great honor to bring these wonderful characters to life, sharing their struggles and triumphs with millions of viewers every week.’
‘We are forever grateful to our brilliant cast and guest stars, wonderful writers, and amazing crew for going on this journey with us,’ the statement concluded.
It comes after Janney, 61, spoke about Faris, 44, and her exit on The Ellen DeGeneres show saying: ‘Yeah, it was very odd and she’s very missed. Anna is missed and her character on the show is missed.’
Janney then expressed her wish for the series to continue, despite Faris having been marketed as the main star and character of the show when it first premiered in 2013.
What happened?! Allison Janney sat down to talk to Ellen DeGeneres this week about Anna Faris abruptly leaving their hit CBS show Mom last September
Tearful goodbyes: Mom is CANCELLED after 8 seasons following the dramatic exit of lead Anna Faris… despite co-star Allison Janney wanting it to continue
‘We’re just happy that she’s doing what she wants to do now, and we’re happy even more so that we’re able to still tell these stories about these great women in recovery,’ she said, referring to the fact that the series takes place in an Alcoholics Anonymous group.
Janney continued: ‘And I think there are some really wonderful characters that have been established. And people love the show so, we’re gonna keep telling the stories as long as we can.’
However, it’s now the end of the road for the series, despite the great work put in by the ensemble cast.
The creators statement added: “From the beginning, we set out to tell stories about recovery from alcoholism and addiction that are rarely portrayed in a network comedy series.’
“Whether it was the emotional reactions of the live audience on tape night inside Stage 20, or discussions at The White House regarding the opioid crisis, or the personal stories we continue to receive on social media, we take great pride in knowing Mom has positively impacted so many lives.”
‘Very odd’: Anna Faris was marketed as the main star and character of the show Mom when it first premiered in 2013, but it will now continue without her
Created by Chuck Lorre, Eddie Gorodetsky and Gemma Baker, Mom was initially conceived as a vehicle for Faris, after her string of successful comedic roles in movies, including The House Bunny and Smiley Face.
However, the show – which deals with the topic of recovery from drug and alcohol addiction – went through its fair share of changes throughout seasons.
By season three, it was less about Faris’ character Christy and her children, and more of an ensemble comedy – with supporting actors Jaime Pressley, Mimi Kennedy and Beth Hall getting more screentime.
In 2018, Kristen Johnston make a big impact playing Tammy Diffendorf, Bonnie’s (Janney) foster sister who ended up in prison after she attempted to rob an Outback Steakhouse.
It wasn’t long before Johnston was invited to be a series regular, and the show is now seen as an ensemble piece between the five actors – arguably with Janney as the lead.
Meanwhile, Faris released a statement at the time of her shock exit, saying: ‘The past seven years on Mom have been some of the most fulfilling and rewarding of my career.’
She added: ‘I’m so thankful to Chuck [Lorre], the writers, and my amazing castmates for creating a truly wonderful work experience.’
Mother daughter duo no more: Faris and Janney had incredible chemistry on the show, which made Faris’ exit all the more shocking (the pair pictured in 2018)