Mike & Molly was a popular American sitcom that aired on CBS from 2010 to 2016. The show centered around the romantic relationship between Mike Biggs, a police officer played by Billy Gardell, and Molly Flynn, a school teacher played by Melissa McCarthy.
Both lead characters struggled with being overweight, which was a major theme of the show in its early seasons.
The Inspiring Premise and Early Success of Mike & Molly
Mike & Molly was created by Mark Roberts and was designed to be about the lives and love of people who happen to be overweight, but not solely focused on their weight.
This was an inspiring premise that resonated with many viewers in the 2010s. Obesity rates were on the rise in America, yet overweight people were still often stigmatized in media.
Mike & Molly seemed groundbreaking because the lead characters were plus-size, yet their weight was not the butt of the jokes.
In its first season, Mike & Molly was a ratings success, averaging 12.6 million viewers per episode.
It became the third highest rated new show of the 2010-2011 season after Hawaii Five-0 and Blue Bloods. The show and its stars went on to earn multiple Emmy and Critics Choice Award nominations.
Both Melissa McCarthy and Billy Gardell were praised for their portrayals of Mike and Molly, two relatable and charming every-day people finding love.
What Made Mike & Molly Unique?
At the time Mike & Molly premiered in 2010, it was rare for a sitcom to have two plus-size lead actors. Most shows relegated larger actors to sidekick roles or used obesity as a punchline. Mike & Molly took a more nuanced approach.
While Mike and Molly’s weight and struggles with overeating were certainly part of the storyline, the show did not solely focus on those issues.
It was also about Mike and Molly’s careers, families, friendships, and most centrally, their blossoming romance.
The show allowed plus-size characters to be romantic leads and have the same universal relationship troubles as straight-sized couples.
Mike & Molly became a pioneer in body positive media, paving the way for more shows to feature diverse body types.
Though some criticized the crass humor about weight at times, overall Mike & Molly treated its full-figured stars as multi-dimensional people deserving of love.
Early Storylines Focused on Self-Acceptance
In the first couple seasons, many Mike & Molly episode plots revolved around the characters accepting themselves and each other despite their insecurities about weight.
Molly struggles with feeling confident enough to be intimate in new relationships. Mike anguishes about whether he can maintain a healthy lifestyle change.
While often using humor, these storylines contained heartfelt messages about self-love and highlighted the realities many overweight people face.
The characters became role models by overcoming self-doubt and maintaining their confidence.
Mike and Molly find pride in themselves and stand up to those who tease or degrade them about their size.
Declining Ratings and Feedback That the Humor Became Too Weight-Focused
After several seasons on air, ratings for Mike & Molly began to decline. The 10.1 million viewers tuning into the pilot episode had dwindled to only 7.19 million by the sixth season premiere in 2016.
Some fans began to complain the writing was not as sharp, and the characters seemed to be going in circles.
Many critics said the show lost its way and became too focused on shallow fat jokes rather than romance and self-acceptance.
Increased Emphasis on Weight as a Punchline
As Mike & Molly continued, it relied more on weight humor that could come across as mean-spirited.
Mike became defined primarily by his food obsessions and struggles to lose weight.
Molly’s self-deprecating jokes increased, and her food consumption and weight fluctuations became major plot points.
While the characters poked fun at their own problems, some felt the constant fat jokes were no longer clever commentary but instead reinforced stereotypes and stigmas about plus size people.
The show seemed to mock rather than empower its overweight protagonists.
McCarthy’s Weight Loss Contributed to Concerns
Adding to the complaints, Melissa McCarthy had lost a noticeable amount of weight during Mike & Molly’s later seasons.
Though McCarthy looked healthier, some fans argued her slimming figure took away from the show’s original premise of having plus-size romantic leads.
McCarthy’s weight loss was likely a result of her efforts to be fit. But her smaller size led to jokes from other characters about Molly’s fluctuating appearance that struck some viewers as insensitive.
With both leads less robust, Mike & Molly lost some of its underdog charm as a body positive show.
The Final Cancellation Announcement
In 2016, after 6 seasons and 127 episodes, CBS announced that season six would be Mike & Molly’s last.
The network said the decision to end the show was made after “careful consideration.” No explicit reason was given.
The series finale aired on May 16, 2016 to tepid ratings, ending the run of what had once been a highly popular sitcom.
Behind the Scenes Factors Leading to Cancellation
Though some fans blamed McCarthy’s thinner figure, reports suggested other factors led to Mike & Molly’s decline besides just her weight loss.
Behind the scenes, tensions developed between McCarthy and creator Mark Roberts. The show was also becoming very costly to produce.
CBS had an ownership stake in Mike & Molly through Chuck Lorre Productions.
After six seasons, the network likely felt the sitcom had run its course and wanted to free up resources for fresher shows.
Ending before ratings slipped further allowed CBS and the producers to save face.
The cancellation decision seemed motivated by typical TV production issues, not just McCarthy’s changed appearance.
However, her weight loss contributed to the sense that the original concept had grown stale.
Did McCarthy’s Noticeable Weight Loss Directly Cause the Cancellation?
Among fans, speculation ran rampant that Melissa McCarthy’s thinner look led directly to network executives giving Mike & Molly the axe.
Some theorized CBS was unimpressed by her slimming figure and no longer felt the show had an audience.
However, most TV critics agreed other factors probably played a larger role.
McCarthy’s Statement on Her Weight Loss Journey
McCarthy herself has never blamed her weight loss for Mike & Molly’s end.
She said she lost weight gradually by developing healthier eating and exercise habits, which seemed to boost her energy and confidence.
In interviews, McCarthy disclosed:
“I truly stopped worrying about it. I think there’s something to kinda loosening up and not being so nervous and rigid about it that, bizarrely, has worked.”
“I’ve been every size in the world, from 6 to 22. I tried to squeeze into the 6 for a while, but it wasn’t fitting right. I’m making peace with where I am right now.”
It does not seem McCarthy intentionally lost weight to sabotage or exit the show. Her weight loss originated from positive lifestyle changes.
Loss of Chemistry and Story Momentum Were Bigger Factors
Though jarring visually, McCarthy’s slimming look alone does not seem enough for CBS to abruptly cancel its highest rated sitcom.
More likely, gradual loss of creative momentum played a larger role. Mike & Molly no longer had the same charming underdog vibe. There was a noticeable lack of chemistry between McCarthy and Gardell by later seasons.
Mike & Molly’s brand of humor also suffered from competition with edgier cable sitcoms.
The number of network sitcoms featuring plus-size stars was also on the rise, making Mike & Molly less novel. All of these developments signaled it was time to end the show before viewers totally lost interest.
Mike & Molly’s Legacy and Impact on Entertainment
While factors besides Melissa McCarthy’s weight loss certainly contributed to Mike & Molly’s decline, her slimmer figure put an exclamation point on the sense that its original premise had run out of steam.
The show lost some of its identity and purpose. However, in many ways Mike & Molly achieved its mission – helping remove the stigma around plus-size lead actors in primetime sitcoms.
The Show Broke Barriers With Plus-Size Leads
Mike and Molly were some of the first unambiguously fat protagonists on network TV.
Though there had been a few plus-size sitcom stars in supporting roles before, putting two overweight romantic leads front and center was pioneering.
Mike & Molly helped pave the way for more inclusive casting of different body types.
The success of the show proved plus-size stars could drive network ratings and carry a sitcom.
In later years, shows like This Is Us would also feature overweight characters depicted as attractive and multi-dimensional.
Mike & Molly’s groundbreaking portrayals kicked down doors for more body diversity on television.
Lasting Fandom From Underrepresented Viewers
Mike & Molly is fondly remembered by many viewers who were touched seeing their bodies finally reflected in a flattering way on TV.
McCarthy and Gardell’s portrayals made overweight people feel seen.
Many fans continued to boost the show even as ratings declined because of the heart the actors brought to their roles.