Mike & Molly

As a long time PA announcer for hockey, soccer and girls lacrosse, when someone scores three goals, I usually say "And (name) gets the Hat Trick!" That's true with Chuck Lorre, who has another hit show in Mike & Molly, which follows his biggest hit Two and a Half Men. With another hit The Big Bang Theory, he joins Paul Henning and Susan Harris as the only producers to have three sitcoms in prime time.

Now to Mike & Molly, I saw the first episode and I think the show is going to be a hit, thanks to the chemistry between Billy Gardell as Mike and Melissa McCarthy as Molly. They meet at an Overeaters Anonymous meeting and after a number of obstacles overcome, he finally asks Molly out. Also contributing to the hilarity are Katy Mixon as Molly's sister and Swoosie Kurtz as her mom.

What makes the show stand out from other shows with overweight characters is that there doesn't seem to be a lot of fat jokes, it's more of a character driven show than weight driven.

One thing you might notice is that there are a couple of references to the Chicago Bears. Molly teaches at Walter Payton Elementary School (named for the Hall of Fame running back) and the cook at Mike's favorite restaurant wears a Brian Urlacher jersey. It looks like the producers are Bears fans.

Could it be they're falling in love? if you saw the first episode, watch it each week and you'll find out the answer.

Come on people, this show is super funny. It is actually very plausible that this could be many people's lives. I don't think there's anybody out there who cannot relate to Mike & Molly in someway or another. It may be a little exaggerated but overall it represents a normal chaotic life with embarrassment, insecurities, problems and lots of love.

Every time I watch it I can't help but laugh out loud. It makes my life look almost perfect and always puts a smile on my face. If you don't take it too seriously then you will enjoy it. And yes there are moments when you may be a little bit offended but it's meant to entertain not insult so lighten up.

I enjoyed watching "Mike and Molly" very much. Billy Gardell and Melissa McCarthy lead a superb cast while delving into a rather touchy subject. Let me say uncandidly my wife and I both deal with weight problems, and for the first time I felt the issues were centered without being insulting. The jokes are "laugh with me" style rather then "laugh at me". Needless to say, dealing with these issues can make a person self conscious, and we see that portrayed in Mike as he is smitten with Molly (and I can certainly see why) but hesitates to make the move to ask her out.

Katy Mixon and the always delightful Swoosie Kurtz make a fantastic addition as Molly's family, and the references to her late father where we learn the genetic connection to her weight issues. The ultra thin pair eating a huge piece of cake in front of an exercising Molly is a great demonstration of how fighting weight isn't always the same issue for 2 different people.

As a matter of fact, it is refreshing to see Mike and Molly both trying to take their weight seriously with the participation in Overeaters Annoymous...and Mike announces his loss of 3 pounds, putting perfect perception into how the battle for weight loss is just that, and without a sense of being preachy for those that may be in the same battles.

I also was pleased with an entertaining performance by Reno Wilson as Mike's partner on the police force. He joked with his friend about his weight, but you could tell it was done with love...not shying away from some of his own relationship issues that I am sure we will soon see expounded. And even with the friendship in the jokes, he also proves to be a real friend in general to Mike.

I hope "Mike and Molly" lasts and continues to follow the lead of the pilot and keep things in the proper perspective. Don't shy from the weigthty problems of protagonists without becoming a holier then though preachy "you better deal with your weight" attitude. As a fan of Chuck Lorre's previous efforts, I am sure we are in for another treat.

From pilot to finale this show will make you chuckle, laugh out loud, and wipe away a tear or two - or three. Having watched the show in its entirety when it was first broadcast on network television & now marathoning it thanks to HBO Max, I enjoyed it just as much & so curse the Network that didn't jump at the chance at continuing the series with 13 episode seasons.

I'm hoping we can get a new "Mike & Molly" where we see them trying to survive raising teenagers in The Flynn House.

This is an enjoyable series, but the initial blurb made me think overeating would be a major plot point, but besides being the reason why Mike and Molly met and being a topic in a couple of earlier episodes, it doesn't feature much any more.

The later episodes mostly revolve around Molly's hot-and-cold relationship with her conservative and protective mother-in-law, and Mike's exasperating experiences with Molly's liberal family.

I also love the relationships between Mike and his partner Carl, and their relationship with their seemingly-personal waiter Samuel.

But a lot of the topics seem recycled from other shows - it's like watching remakes of other shows in certain episodes. However, it is still an enjoyable show - I did not expect to enjoy it as much as I do. Give it a chance - it's not the best, but it's still a good choice for an average day.