Mom‘s Allison Janney Shares First Look at Anna Faris-Less Season 8: It’s a ‘Whole New Territory’ (Watch Video)
Roughly a week after CBS and Warner Bros. dropped the mother of all casting bombshells, Mom leading lady Allison Janney is back on the set to begin work on Season 8 — the sitcom’s first without co-lead-Anna Faris.
In a video posted on social media Monday, Janney — surrounded by her fellow mask-wearing co-stars — admitted, “It’s a whole new territory, but we’re excited for Season 8 to begin.”
News that Faris was walking away from her role as Janney’s onscreen daughter Christy, in order to pursue other opportunities, broke on Sept. 4.
“The past seven years on Mom have been some of the most fulfilling and rewarding of my career,” Faris said in a statement at the time. “I’m so thankful to Chuck [Lorre], 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.”
WBTV, CBS and Chuck Lorre Productions offered their own joint statement on Faris’ departure: “From the inception of Mom, Anna was the first and only choice for the role of Christy. We are so proud of the stories we have been able to tell during Anna’s seven years with us. We wish Anna all the best, and we thank her for her beautiful portrayal.”
The role of Christy will not be recast.
Mom is slated to kick off Season 8 in November (see CBS’ full fall lineup here).
We’re back! Season 8 here we come! @MomCBS pic.twitter.com/EGGmh75Vka
— Allison Janney (@AllisonBJanney) September 14, 2020
Why does a star like Ferris leave this close to the new season? Season 8 will be the last. Ferris will never be successful without Mom
Why are people forgetting Anna was successful before Mom? She had a decent movie career before Mom and is the reason Mom was a hit it’s first season. Right now though, she’s not even the reason Mom is popular. Allison owns this show now and it’ll be fine without Anna.
You are 100% right.
What was she doing before Mom??_ not much of anything!!
Again, she was doing movies. She did a lot of big screen movies before Mom. People keep forgetting the Scary Movies franchise made Anna famous. Not this little CBS show that people are judging her for leaving. She’s a movie star. She doesn’t need Mom to make money. I have no doubt she’ll be making more big screen movies since that’s how she got started.
Looking at her filmography on wiki, she did over 30 big screen movies. Quite a bit of em successful box office hits too. How is that “not much of anything” like you say?
Well, even if she chooses to stay with TV, she’s just come off a hit CBS show and could probably headline another prestige TV project on a steaming service that would have half the number of episodes per season, or give her a chance to play another character.
“What was she doing before Mom?” Are you serious? How old are you? You’re either a teenager who’s too old to have seen Scary Movie 1-4 or even The House Bunny, or you’re in your 70’s and that stuff was just after your time, and you only watch ‘Mom’ For Alison Janney. Either way, I can’t see anyone seriously asking what Anna Farris has “done before”. Get off the internet.
Meant to say a teenager who’s too young, my mistake.
Thank you! I know the go to response when a star leaves a show is that they were nothing and won’t have anything better than the show. This isn’t the case for Anna. Her fan base from the movies she did followed her to Mom when it started. She’s the reason I, and most likely millions be of others, gave it a shot. She’s no longer the reason I stick around now. Allison really did take over the show. She’s the only one this show can’t do without. Due to the writing of how Christy is these past few seasons, I don’t even like her character. They will survive fine without her.
i noticed that too. Christy character became more of a joke. Allison became the focal point of the show. Question is did allison take over the show on purpose or did it happen naturally or by the people in charge. Allison is a decent actress but i like Christy better. I prefer comedy over drama. Good luck to both christy and allison with their future
Love her but there are so many other great actors on the show.I don’t think it will miss a beat.
Best to her, And were looking forward to season 8!!!
No one forgets the Scary Movies, but Anna really blossomed as an actress on Mom. It so sad we won’t see more episodes with Christy.
Season 8 will be the last season unless they can find a dynamite and attractive sub for Christy. Somebody like Mila Kunis.
Maybe there’s a missing, alcoholic daughter from Bonnie’s past who can show up like Charlie’s daughter showed up on 2 1/2 men after Charlie was out of the show.
I agree
It’s a shock that Anna Faris is nit returning but Anna is a Outstanding Actress in alot of Movies and I will follow her wherever she goes next…Good Luck Anna
I like everyone in the cast of MOM.
Im sad she’s leaving, the 2 of them really make the show… mother/ daughter relationship.
But, I’m sure the writers will do a great job.
Sorry – Anna (Christy) has become incidental to the show. Allison and Kristen have become the real stars and the reason I watch. Good supporting cast – I think they’ll be OK.
Yes! Kristin is fantastic!!
I understand stars of TV shows come & go. I don’t always like it, but it happens all the time. What’s confusing me is Anna Faris announcing she’s leaving *10 days* before they started shooting. Normally I don’t really wonder about this stuff, but it feels like something’s amiss.
According to Deadline the producers have been aware of it for a while and the writers were writing season 8 without her in it. It just wasn’t announced to the public until recently.
I evidently didn’t see that important piece of information, thank you!
All stories indicated she told the producers/studio back at the beginning of summer and scripts were written without her. Studios just make weird PR decisions with this stuff in terms of when to announce it
False.
Then why is everyone so shocked and scrambling to figure out how to write her off?
“I hear Faris’ exit was finalized early into the show’s hiatus, and the writers have been writing the new season without her character, Christy. Her absence will be addressed in the upcoming season, which is slated to start production September 14 in Los Angeles.”
https://deadline.com/2020/09/anna-faris-exits-mom-cbs-comedy-series-seven-seasons-1234570994/
They’ve known for months. No one is shocked and scrambling to figure out how to write her off. Some overdramatic fans may be shocked but not the writers.
I agree that something is amiss. I’m a huge fan of MOM. I’m also an addict. So there is an attachment for me in that regard. I love the AA meeting input and I think many other people do also. No one had mentioned this connection. I realize it’s just tv,but I do believe that Anna helped many people with addiction problems. The other cast members will cary the show for sure. The writers are fantastic. I’m in for the long haul. Just disappointed that anna just walked out!
I don’t foresee Mom lasting after this season without Anna Farris.
I mean the banter and the chemistry between Anna and Alison Janney was so good.
I grew bored with anna hateful attitude in her character. I personally am glad she’s out.
she’s not hateful. just struggling to find a place in the world. I thought Law school would have given her a new direction and been helpful to her community. So many places to go from there. sad.
But that isn’t funny. Chuck Lorre shows have a formula. An Alpha character, who isn’t at all nice, is horrible to everyone around him/her. People below this character are mean to each other.
.
This meanness is where the humor comes from. Christy being nice isn’t funny.
That just reads like projection, tbh.
Totally agree, she became odd and hard to watch. Not to mention, lost a ton of weight.
Allison Janet is always worth watching, so I will definitely watch!
I agree with the comments. I don’t understand why actors don’t at least stick around long enough for the writers (and viewers) get a decent closure story line. Like Karev on Grey’s. Now this. I don’t think recent episodes of Mom are as good as earlier one so it wasn’t like the show was going to go on forever.
It’s like with Two and a half men, once the dynamic between Charlie and Allen was no longer there because Sheen had left the show, the show was never as good. I love Allison Janney but she needs Christy for the one liners to work so well. You can’t play ping pong with yourself. Faris was selfish to leave.
I agree. She definitely needs Christy for the one liners. The stuff she says to Alison & the way they go back and forth is hilarious!
Don’t agree. Janney husband can easily keep up the humor at home. And Jill is the funnest character on the show. More for others to do. Will still be great.
The show won’t last without Christy!
I do hope you are incorrect. I enjoy the entire cast.
People said the same thing when The Connors continued with without Roseanne. many said it would not last more than one season, and here it is about to start season 3.
I still miss Roseanne, she never should have been let know! The show is not as good without her!
She should go back and leave properly, she may never work in Tv again. I will miss her
I think the other fabulous characters can rock this season, without the pathetic Christy character. Allison Janney is tje glue along with all other characters.
I agree
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She’s 60. That’s her natural hair. She wears a wig on Mom.
Allison Janney has been the anchor for the show since the kids disappeared 🙄. It’s her honest portrayal of a mother in recovery trying to make amends, while keeping her sense of humor, that has kept me watching. That coupled with J. Presley and the other wonderful ladies, I believe they will continue to be great!
Kristen Johnston was one of the best additions to the show.
Definitely agree! Tammy is hilarious!!
I think the show can survive. Jamie Presley and Kristen Johnson deserve more screen time. Now they will get it I guess
There was still a lot of things about Christy’s character that I wanted to understand and get some answers to, but it didn’t seem like they were ever going to address those things which put the character in a bit of limbo on the show.
I can’t believe Anna is or has left the show. I always stay up late to watch re-runs of the show. I just don’t know how they will pull it off with her. It will definitely not be as entertaining.
Who thinks the only way to pull this off without Faris filming a goodbye is for Christy to have relapsed bc of COVID and didn’t make it? It’s dark and it’s sad, but it’s also realistic and explains why we’d never see her again. And the time since the last episode if they keep real time is enough for the healing to start. It also bonds the group in a new way, and gives Bonnie a new dimension to work from (and probably guarantee Janney ANOTHER Emmy, although this time she’d have to compete in the appropriate lead actress category). Since I’m being forced to say goodbye to Christy anyway, I think this kind of exit would be the most powerful and, ironically, bring new life to the show.
They can keep her alive and say she has a law internship somewhere that keeps her away.
Right!! Dont kill her off, in case she wants to come back, sometime!!!!!
Christy was the worst. Glad she is gone.
I totally agree
Said no one ever…
This show will make it changed chuck give me a call in Tennessee says ,#3 show I would put u right on top with my awesome humor and the show would be called Mom&Angie🤪
I hope they find a way to bring back Octavia Spencer or, at the very least, introduce a new character to help fill the void…… and I mean as a member of the ensemble and not a Ashton Kutcher replacing Charlie Sheen as lead kind of way
It’s a great show, and I’m sure it will be just as great. With that being said, I’m sure we will miss Anna. I wish we knew what she has in store for herself. By the way……Stupid Covid19. ( Is that too boring) Do you want to cast me, to replace her?
Best wishes to Anna Farris. She was great as Christie but I think the amazing ensemble cast will be able to go on without her. I actually think that Jaime Pressly, Kirsten Johnson and Alison Janey make the show. I really think they can create a funny show without the Christie character. Sometimes actors who leave big TV shows go on to do great things, but it seems to me more often than not they don’t. I’ve never been particularly impressed with any movie I’ve seen with Anna, but I do wish her luck in the future.
I’ll miss Christy but now I’m intrigued by Bonnie’s hair
I think they’ll find their footing without Christy. The writing for her was poor after she finished law school, like they didn’t know what to do with her character. Last season she was whiny and childish, instead of the way she used to be..
Stacie, I agree. They sort of put her storylines into the secondary character mode.
And who knows what situation(s) prompted her decision. Pursuing an acting career should be cherished territory, not a boring same old, same old. More power to her! I’m gonna miss her. But, I do love the rest of the cast, with Allison as the main character.
Love MOM, I am so glad they are not going to recast Christy.
You see that picture of Janney? That’s why Faris left the show. She was Like….I’m not working in this crazy environment with all this mask BS and temperature taking and standing apart from my cast mates in between takes. This has become absolutely ridiculous.
This world has gone nuts!
The only people who are nuts are the COVID deniers.
Bluzulu… Truely, it has. Sigh.
And she has a young son to care for.
Best wishes to all who have brought us this wonderful show!
Although I wish anna Faris well, I do have to say that I was bored with her character who was rude and never happy. It was the amazing other characters and actors that to me were what made me continue to watch. I hope we have more seasons to come with the other awesome actors.
I agree the show will be great with the remaining cast members. I love the show .
Omg! Why didn’t she just wait til the day it started!? How do you just up and go like that!! She could have at least came back for a few episodes so they could ease her out! So disappointed in her last minute ditch! But I’m sticking with the other ladies!!
Clearly it isn’t a friendly parting or they would have written and she would have filmed a farewell exit for Christy… Christy finishes law school and relocates for her new career. There is more to this than mutual admiration.