Chuck Lorre claims his initial concerns about Anna Faris in ‘Mom’ proved right

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Chuck Lorre has claimed that his initial doubts about hiring Anna Faris to play the lead character, Christy Plunkett, were eventually proven right.

The television producer discussed Faris’ casting in the 2013 hit series in his new memoir, titled ‘Sitcom’. In the book, he admitted that he was initially unsure about the 49-year-old actress playing Plunkett, a recovering alcoholic and single mother.

Chuck Lorre questioned Anna Faris’ casting in 'Mom'

“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 in his memoir, which was released on Tuesday, October 13.

The 73-year-old writer and Sheen once shared a close bond, but their relationship began to deteriorate during the eighth season of ‘Two and a Half Men’ in 2011, reportedly due to the 61-year-old actor’s addiction issues and erratic behavior.

However, the two men eventually ended their feud years later.

Chuck Lorre criticizes Anna Faris’ 'Mom' exit

Reflecting on his experience with Sheen, Lorre further wrote in the book, “Someone’s personal life is none of my business. The mom in ‘Mom’ would be, and should be, Anna Faris.”

Faris played Plunkett opposite Allison Janney from 2013 to 2020. However, she left the show ahead of its eighth and final season.

“As the years went by, it became apparent that my initial reluctance to hire Anna was, in fact, correct. After six years, she left the show for mysterious reasons that were not mysterious to anyone on the show,” Lorre stated in the memoir.

However, he praised the final season of ‘Mom’, asserting that it “found its true voice”. He added, “There is hope and there is laughter in overcoming the seemingly fatal disease of alcoholism.”

Anna Faris explains why she left 'Mom'

When Faris announced her departure from the show, she said, “The past seven years on ‘Mom’ have been some of the most fulfilling and rewarding of my career. I’m so thankful to Chuck, the writers, and my amazing castmates for creating a truly wonderful work experience.”

“While my journey as Christy has come to an end, allowing me to pursue new opportunities, I’ll be watching next season and rooting for my TV family,” she added.

Later, on the ‘Happy Sad Confused’ podcast, the comedian explained that “the intensity, towards the end, I think I started to lose my focus … I never had a job besides waitressing for over three months before.”