Warner Bros. Television
Well, I blame Allison Janney for this one. I usually can avoid the CBS specials, but my West Wing CJ Cregg withdraws got the best of me. Mom, from showrunner Chuck Lorre with Gemma Baker and Eddie Gorodetsky, is about a mother and daughter duo, Bonnie and Kristi, who are in the process of recovery. Allison Janney and Anna Faris play the often fighting duo who struggle with sobriety, attend their AA meetings and shake off drug-fueled flashbacks.
Season 1, like its main characters, showed signs of little self control – too many story lines and too many characters, Season 2 started to wane from such crippling dependencies and by Season 3, the series was able to stand on its own two feet. I had my doubts on a comedy based on struggles with sobriety but the undeniable resonating thread is that we all struggle with something. Thankfully, the cast brings these stories to life, with a certain levity and all-out humor, I didn’t think I could love Janney more. In a recent daydream, Janney's Bonnie finds herself mid walk and talk through the White House with former, fellow West Wing’s staffer, Toby Ziegler. Another bright light in Mom's Season 3 is guest star William Fichtner, who plays Adam, Bonnie’s love interest. While I’ve seen him on so many movies including The Dark Knight and Black Hawk Down, his comedic timing and pairing with Janney is just what the sponsor ordered.