Swoosie Kurtz and Louis Mustillo in 'Mike & Molly'
The sitcom has become a rare element in modern television, as broadcast television faces shrinking viewership and shorter seasons. Classic sitcoms tend to find new life and new audiences on streaming services, and in the case of Netflix's latest streaming hit, it comes a mere decade after the series was canceled.
Mike & Molly landed on Netflix today and is currently a part of the streamer's Top 10 series in the United States, according to FlixPatrol. It's a strong showing for a series that faced plenty of criticism and was cut short during its initial run on CBS. Mike & Molly chronicles the relationship between police officer Mike Biggs and elementary school teacher Molly Flynn . While that would be standard fare for most sitcoms, Mike & Molly takes a sharp turn as the titular couple met at an Overeaters Anonymous meeting; in addition to working on their relationship, they also try to work on their weight. Mike & Molly's biggest claim to fame, prior to its premiere, was that it boasted Chuck Lorre as an executive producer. Given that Lorre had previously delivered two of CBS's biggest sitcoms with Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory, hopes were high for Mike & Molly. 'Mike & Molly' Weathered Controversy Through Its Run Mike & Molly faced considerable controversy before and during its run, particularly regarding the weight of its lead characters. The biggest controversy surrounded an article on Marie Clare, which unceremoniously referred to both Billy Gardell and Melissa McCarthy as"fatties". Series creator Mark Roberts was less than pleased with the article and expressed his displeasure during an interview: "This wasn't about the show, this wasn't about the writing, this wasn't about the acting. This was about someone's hateful response to how these two human beings look." To Robert's credit, he did manage to make sure that Mike & Molly had plenty of stories that didn't focus on the couple's weight. Chief among them were the interactions with Mike's mother, Peggy , and Molly's mother, Joyce . Peggy was newly divorced and fairly bitter that her son had found love, while Joyce's attempts to stay youthful eventually drew her into the orbit of her future husband, Vince . Audiences also got to see Mike and Molly dating before they eventually got married, with Molly also pursuing a career as a writer. While most sitcoms tended to resist major changes, Mike & Molly was unique in showing how its characters actually grew as people. 'Mike & Molly' Was Unceremoniously Canceled While Mike & Molly received moderate reviews during its run, its ratings were solid enough to last for six seasons, especially as Melissa McCarthy's film career took off in the first half of the series. Despite this, the series was eventually canceled, with most of the cast and crew taking to social media to express their feelings before then-president of CBS Glenn Geller made the official announcement. The series ended on a rather touching note, as the finale episode"I See Love" saw Mike and Molly welcoming their adoptive son, William, while reflecting on the journey they've taken in their marriage. It also remains the show's best-reviewed episode to date. Mike & Molly wasn't the end of Chuck Lorre or Billy Gardell's sitcom era, as the two would later re-team for another CBS sitcom, Bob Hearts Abishola. Like Mike & Molly, Bob Hearts Abishola features Gardell as Bob Wheeler, a workaholic who suffers a heart attack and ends up falling for his Nigerian nurse, Abishola Adebambo . Bob Hearts Abishola also faced its own set of struggles, from middling reviews to the COVID-19 pandemic affecting production on two seasons. Regardless, it lasted five seasons and delivered solid ratings. Subscribe to our newsletter for smart TV & sitcom takes Want clearer context on sitcom revivals and streaming hits? Subscribe to our newsletter for focused coverage that connects shows like Mike & Molly to wider TV and cultural trends, giving you thoughtful perspective on why they matter. Get Updates By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. A decade after its release, Mike & Molly is finding new life on Netflix because it manages to be both funny and heartwarming, while also ensuring that its titular couple's weight isn't always the butt of the joke. More sitcoms could take a page from its book if they want to break the mold. Mike & Molly Like Follow Followed TV-14 Comedy Drama Release Date 2010 - 2016-00-00 Network CBS Directors James Burrows, Phill Lewis, Michael McDonald, David Trainer, Mark Roberts, Victor González, Melissa McCarthy, Stephen Prime, Jason Alexander, Joel Murray Cast See All Writers Alan J. Higgins, Don Foster, Mark Gross, Bill Daly, Julie Bean, Carla Filisha, Michael Glouberman, Rob DesHotel, Brian Keith Etheridge Creator Mark Roberts Powered by Expand Collapse
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