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CBS Axes ‘Mike And Molly’ As Its Star, Melissa McCarthy, Nears The End Of Her Contract

By Shelley Hazen
Published on: 05:52 PST, Dec 14, 2015

For fans of the CBS sitcom Mike and Molly, some sad news — the network has decided not only to cancel the show, but to cut the series’ final season by nine shows.

The news hasn’t been confirmed by the network or Warner Bros. Television, which produces Mike and Molly, USA Today reported.

The sitcom follows the hilarious relationship between teacher-turned writer Molly (Flynn), played Melissa McCarthy, and Chicago cop Mike Biggs, played by Billy Gardell. Early in the series, the lovable duo met at an Overeaters Anonymous meeting.

Mike and Molly‘s sixth season will be its last and will comprise 13 episodes, which premiere on January 6. This is the first time the network hasn’t ordered the usual 22 episodes of the multi-camera sitcom. It will run alongside fellow Warner Brothers show 2 Broke Girls for seven weeks, but it’s not clear when the remaining episodes will air.

The news about the quiet cancellation of the popular sitcom was announced by two of its co-stars. The announcement may come as a surprise to many fans. As part of its Wednesday “comedy block,” Mike and Molly had become a “dependable midseason bench player,” according to the Hollywood Reporter.

However, it should be noted that the cancellation of Mike and Molly comes at the same time its star, McCarthy, approached her final contract year on the show.

And in the opinion of Uproxx, it was a little odd to see the Emmy winner and Oscar nominee still hanging out on the small potatoes CBS Show. Mike and Molly began before Melissa‘s career catapulted, back in 2010, Fox News added, and since then she’s become a veritable star thanks to her memorable roles in Bridesmaids, Spy, The Heat, Identity Thief, and St. Vincent. Now, she’s going on to star in the upcoming and highly anticipated Ghostbusters remake.

All that stardom has turned McCarthy from the funny lady in Mike and Molly to the third highest-paid actress in Hollywood this year, with earnings listed at $23 million.

The woman who plays Biggs’ cantankerous mother, Peggy, announced the demise of Mike and Molly on her Facebook page last week. Rondi Reed revealed that CBS made the call, the last day of shooting is January 27, and the producers even shopped around the show to other networks, but nothing stuck.

Reed said the cast had known for weeks and she, for one, had no hard feelings.

“Before you hear it elsewhere (and some already have) this is the Final and 6th Season of MIKE & MOLLY on CBS. It is also a shortened season (13 episodes) after the announced full renewal of 22 episodes back in March by the network. We are done taping as of January 27th 2016 and I am not sure exactly when/if the episodes will all be aired. The network has it’s reasons, and I will not get into a debate, discussion, or campaign to get them to change their minds … I remain extremely grateful to have been a part of this and to have worked with a fabulous bunch of folks over the years. I have learned a lot about many things, including the Business we call Show. Also grateful for all the fans and for the personal support I have received over the (almost) 6 seasons. Stewart Talent has guided me every step of the way on this journey and for that I am also forever grateful.”

Gardell actually hinted at the show’s end on December 4, when he tweeted his bittersweet goodbyes to the series, as well.

But don’t worry, the love story between Mike and Molly will have closure, said its executive producer, Chuck Lorre. Lorre now has two remaining shows on CBS — its No. 1 comedy, The Big Bang Theory, and Mom, so don’t feel too bad for him, either. His other comedic venture, Two and a Half Men, was also a long-running fan favorite.

As for McCarthy, she’s not going anywhere, even if Mike and Molly is on the outs. The star has her own clothing line, and in addition to starring in Ghostbusters, has three other films in the works.

[Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images]

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