Actress Anna Faris has spoken out after reading critical remarks made about her by co-creator Chuck Lorre in his memoir, Sitcom. Faris, who starred alongside Allison Janney in the CBS sitcom Mom from 2013 to 2020, admitted via social media that the unexpected comments hurt her feelings.
Lorre’s book revisits the casting process for the comedy series and discusses his initial doubts about hiring Faris, as well as his perspective on her departure from the show ahead of its final season. Responding to the publication on Instagram, Faris shared her reaction while reflecting on her time working on the program and offering an update on her personal health.
Anna Faris Admits Memoir Remarks Came as a Shock
Following the release of Sitcom on Tuesday, Faris took to Instagram on Thursday afternoon to address excerpts that circulated online. She made it clear that she did not anticipate the veteran showrunner’s critical appraisal.
“Yikes. Yes, I read a few things. I really didn’t see that coming. Of course it hurts,” Faris wrote.
Despite the criticism, Faris expressed appreciation for the professional opportunity she was given when the show first premiered. “Chuck gave me a job I loved, and for seven years I never took a day of it for granted,” she continued. “I’m proud of what we made together and nothing changes how grateful I am for those people and those years.”
Chuck Lorre’s Revelations in Sitcom
In his memoir, Lorre opened up about his decision-making process when casting the lead role of Christy Plunkett, a recovering alcoholic and single mother. He revealed that he initially resisted hiring Faris because he questioned whether she fit the required dramatic and comedic material.
However, Lorre noted that reflecting on his past working relationship with actor Charlie Sheen on Two and a Half Men changed his perspective. “I initially said no. I wasn’t sure Anna would be appropriate for this kind of material. Then I thought about how badly I’d bungled my working relationship with Charlie Sheen,” Lorre wrote, ultimately concluding that personal lives should remain separate from professional casting decisions.
Faris and Janney successfully led the comedy for seven seasons until Faris announced her departure in 2020 to pursue new creative opportunities. Following her exit, Lorre wrote in the book that he eventually felt his early misgivings were validated, claiming she left the production for reasons that were well-understood by the crew.
Mom continued for an eighth and final season without Faris, concluding its run on CBS in 2021.
Sharing a Positive Sobriety Update
Alongside her response to the memoir, Faris used the social media post to share a personal milestone regarding her journey with recovery and health.
“I’ve been sober for a year and a half. I was on a show about recovery and then I lived it,” Faris stated. “Now I’m healthy, I’m working and I’m happier than I’ve been in a longtime.”
She concluded her message with a supportive note directed to anyone facing similar personal struggles: “If anyone reading this is where I was, I hope that’s useful. It gets better. I’m proof.”
