Jaime Pressly Defends ‘Mom’ Co-Stars as ‘Beautifully Flawed’ After Creator Chuck Lorre Revealed His ‘Reluctance to Hire’ Anna Faris
Jaime Pressly has defended her former “Mom” co-stars after creator Chuck Lorre wrote that his initial reluctance to cast Anna Faris had proved justified. Pressly described the women in the cast as “beautifully flawed” like their characters and said she valued working with them.
Faris left the CBS sitcom in 2020, before its final season, after six years on the show. Lorre’s memoir says she departed for reasons that were clear to those involved; Faris said his remarks hurt, while expressing gratitude for the job and noting she has been sober for a year and a half. Pressly joined in the second season and led the final season, following the show’s eight-season run.
- Pressly praised her former “Mom” co-stars.
- Lorre questioned his decision to cast Faris.
- Faris said the memoir’s comments hurt.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Lorre’s account may reflect his experience of a difficult departure and a casting decision he came to see as justified; a creator can reasonably describe tensions that affected a long-running production. The memoir also offers his perspective on events that were clear to those involved, while Faris has acknowledged that the remarks hurt her and expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
The case against
Faris’s departure was a personal and professional matter, and publicising a creator’s initial reluctance to hire her can seem needlessly hurtful, especially when she has spoken appreciatively about the job. Pressly’s praise for her co-stars underscores that a cast can be valued for its humanity and complexity, and that one person’s account need not define a colleague’s contribution.