Actress Mimi Kennedy – who plays Marjorie on the hit show Mom – has shared an online petition started by fans calling for the CBS sitcom to be saved after it was canceled.
It was announced yesterday that Mum would end after eight seasons later this year, following the dramatic departure of lead star Anna Faris, who left days before production was due to begin last September.
Allison Janney told Ellen DeGeneres earlier this week that she hoped the ensemble’s cast would “ continue to tell their story ” about the characters dealing with the important topic of addiction and recovery.
“Save the sitcom MOM!” Actress Mimi Kennedy shared a fan petition on Thursday to save a rescue program after being suspended … because Allison Janney said she hoped they would ‘keep telling their story’
Mimi Kennedy, 72, posted on her Instagram on Thursday, saying, “ The public has a voice and shouldn’t be ignored, ” pledging to share Change.org’s petition.
Meanwhile, Kristen Johnston, 53, who plays recovering addict Tammy Diffendor on the show, also shared her disappointment with the cancellation on Wednesday.
“What a huge bummer,” Kristen tweeted. This show was such a joy and honor to be a part of. It’s been life-changing for me to be on a show that is about recovery and women supporting each other through thick and thin. Plus, Mommy has the BEST fans ever. ‘
What They Are Now: In Season 8 of Mom, regulars are Mimi Kennedy, Kristen Johnston, Allison Janney, Jaime Pressley and Beth Hall
More stories to tell? Allison Janney made it clear earlier this week that she wanted the show to continue
Speaking: Mimi Kennedy (pictured left) shared a fan petition Thursday to save the show, while Kristen Johnston (right) shared her disappointment on Twitter
It’s not uncommon for TV shows to be saved by streaming services, which could potentially be a savior for mom.
Hulu and Netflix have previously revived the likes of Arrested Development, The Killing, Full House and The Mindy Project after networks abandoned them.
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 of bringing 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, amazing writers and amazing crew for going on a journey with us, ” the statement concluded.
It comes after Janney, 61, talked about Faris, 44, and her exit on The Ellen DeGeneres show, saying, ‘Yeah, it was very strange and she’s been sorely missed. Anna is missed and her character on the show is missed. ‘
Janney then expressed her wish that the series would continue, despite Faris being marketed as the show’s lead star and character when it first premiered in 2013.
What happened?! Allison Janney sat down to talk to Ellen DeGeneres this week about Anna Faris who abruptly left their popular CBS show Mom last September
Tearful goodbye: mom gets CANCELED after 8 seasons after protagonist Anna Faris’s dramatic exit … despite co-star Allison Janney wants it to continue
‘We’re just glad she’s doing what she wants to do now, and we’re even more happy that we can still tell these stories about these amazing women in recovery,’ she said, referring to the fact that the series is set in a group of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Janney continued, ‘And I think there are some really great characters set. And people love the show, so we’ll keep telling the stories for as long as we can. ‘
However, it’s now the end of the road for the series, despite the great work of the ensemble’s cast.
The creator’s statement added, “From the outset, we wanted to tell stories of recovery from alcoholism and addiction that are rarely portrayed in a network comedy series.”
“Whether it’s the emotional reactions of the live audience at stage 20 band night, or discussions at The White House about the opioid crisis, or the personal stories we continue to receive on social media, we are proud to know that mama a positive has affected so many lives. ”
‘Very Strange’: Anna Faris was marketed as the main star and character of the show Mom when it first premiered in 2013, but it now continues without her
Created by Chuck Lorre, Eddie Gorodetsky and Gemma Baker, Mom was initially conceived as a vehicle for Faris, following her string of successful comedy roles in films including The House Bunny and Smiley Face.
However, the show – which deals with the topic of drug and alcohol addiction recovery – has seen quite a few changes over the seasons.
Season three was less about Faris’ character Christy and her kids, and more about an ensemble comedy – with supporting actors Jaime Pressley, Mimi Kennedy and Beth Hall getting more film time.
In 2018, Kristen Johnston made a big impact playing Tammy Diffendorf, Bonnie’s (Janney) foster sister who ended up in prison after trying to rob an Outback Steakhouse.
It was not long before Johnston was invited to be a regular series, and the show is now seen as an ensemble piece between the five actors – perhaps with Janney as the lead.
Meanwhile, Faris released a statement at the time of her shock exit, saying, ‘The past seven years with Mum have been some of the most fulfilling and rewarding in my career.’
She added: ‘I am so grateful 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’s departure all the more shocking (the couple pictured in 2018)