Is CBS about to lose another one of its top-rated comedies? With "The Big Bang Theory" ending in May, reports suggest that another series could be saying goodbye to the network as well. That is if contract renegotiations fail.
"Mom," which is currently airing its sixth season, is in a crucial position. Its lead stars, Anna Faris and Allison Janney, have been having meetings with CBS executives to discuss their salary increases, should CBS decide to renew the show for season 7.
According to Deadline, Faris and Janney currently receive about $200,000 per episode for "Mom." But if the show will go on for more seasons, the stars reportedly want a "significant" raise to their fees.
On paper, it seems that the network has no plans of pulling the plug after "Mom" season 6. The show is still one of its most-watched comedies after "The Big Bang Theory" and "Young Sheldon."
Paying the stars big money is also not surprising for CBS. After all, this is the network that has agreed to pay the five leads of "The Big Bang Theory" a million per episode.
With the impressive ratings of "Mom" and the fact that it has reached a milestone 100th episode in 2017, Faris and Janney have the leverage to demand more pay. Janney is also a two-time Emmy Best Actress winner for her role as the recovering alcoholic mother, Bonnie, on "Mom."
The show created by Chuck Lorre is also unique as there is no other series on network television that has a strong female cast. So, CBS still has a winner in this comedy series, especially in this age of inclusivity and equality.
"Mom" started as an uneven sitcom about a mother and daughter's broken relationship due to drugs and alcohol. But by the second season, and after a reworking of the storyline, "Mom" has emerged as a show about family and forgiveness.
Meanwhile, the show is currently on a hiatus for the holidays, but "Mom" season 6 will return with a fresh episode on Thursday, Jan. 10, according to The Futon Critic. The episode entitled "Hacky Sack and Beautiful Experience" will find a troubled Christy (Faris) on a road trip with Wendy (Beth Wall), Jill (Jaime Pressly) and Marjorie (Mimi Kennedy). Bonnie (Janney), on the other hand, will be on hand to help her boyfriend Adam (William Fichtner), who is still struggling to make his bar business take off. The upcoming episode will also feature Kristen Johnston, Larry Joe Campbell, and Mike Lane.
