Jaime Pressly Discusses Mom Co-Stars After Memoir

Actress Anna Faris has revealed she is eighteen months sober, responding publicly to former Mom producer Chuck Lorre after his new memoir claimed her 2020 departure from the CBS sitcom proved his early casting doubts were correct.

The tension between the sitcom star and her former boss surfaced with the release of Chuck Lorre’s memoir, Sitcom. In the book, the television producer detailed his initial reluctance to cast Anna Faris as the lead in the CBS comedy Mom, despite network executives naming her their first choice to play Christy Plunkett.

Chuck Lorre Recalls Casting Doubts and Charlie Sheen Regrets

Lorre explained in his memoir that he questioned whether Faris would fit the material, according to Page Six. His perspective changed only after he reflected on his turbulent history with Charlie Sheen during their time on Two and a Half Men.

A pilot script came together relatively quickly and was sent to [casting director] Nikki Valko. She responded with an email that simply said, ‘Anna Faris.’ 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.

Chuck Lorre, memoir author and television producer

After recalling that working with Sheen left the cast and crew in a constant state of anxiety, Lorre decided that an actor’s personal life should remain off-limits. He called Valko back to approve the casting, writing that the mom in Mom would be, and should be, Anna Faris.

Yet Lorre contends in the book that his initial hesitation was ultimately justified when Faris walked away from the series in 2020 ahead of its eighth and final season. He wrote that she departed for mysterious reasons that were not mysterious to anyone on the show.

Anna Faris Answers Memoir Claims with Sobriety Milestone

Faris addressed the memoir’s claims through an Instagram post, acknowledging the sting of her former producer’s words while revealing a personal milestone. She noted that she has maintained sobriety for 18 months.

Yikes. Yes, I read a few things. I really didn’t see that coming. Of course it hurts. Chuck gave me a job I loved, and for seven years I never took a day of it for granted. I’m proud of what we made together, and nothing changes how grateful I am for those people and those years.

Anna Faris, actress

Drawing a direct parallel between her onscreen character and her real-life recovery, Faris shared an encouraging update with her followers about her current well-being.

I’ve been sober for a year and a half. I was on a show about recovery and then I lived it. Now I’m healthy, I’m working, and I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time. If anyone reading this is where I was, I hope that’s useful. It gets better. I’m proof.

Anna Faris, actress

Jaime Pressly Defends the Mom Cast and Crew

Jaime Pressly stepped up to defend her former castmates. Pressly, who portrayed recovering addict Jill Kendall across seven seasons of the CBS comedy, reflected warmly on the collaborative environment among the women on set.

I was there for seven years, but there [were] eight seasons. I came on in the second season, but I had seven wonderful years of working with an incredible crew and an incredible cast of women, who were, all of us, just as beautifully flawed as our characters on the show were.

Jaime Pressly, actress

Pressly emphasized that going to work with colleagues of a certain age offered a refreshing daily experience alongside Allison Janney, Mimi Kennedy, and Beth Hall.

Justin Long Backs Anna Faris as Memoir Debate Continues

Faris also received public backing in her social media comments from other creative partners, including Justin Long, who guest-starred in several episodes and praised her patience and humor.

While Lorre’s book highlights ongoing friction regarding departures from his hit series, the public record surrounding the show’s 2020 exit continues to balance corporate praise—which originally named Faris the first and only choice for the role of Christy—with the personal reflections both the creator and the star are now sharing years later.