CBS Serving Up Plus-Sized Laughs with ‘Mike & Molly’
Sep 8, 2010 Entertainment
ET’s Samantha Harris was the first to visit the set of CBS’ new sitcom "Mike & Molly." She was excited to share her baby news with new mom Melissa McCarthy on the revered Warner Bros. sound stage where "Friends" was taped.
Eight months pregnant at her audition, Melissa is grateful she was able to win over director James Burrows and producer Chuck Lorre to become a part of the show. She also has the privilege of returning to the lot where she filmed "Gilmore Girls" for almost seven years. Though weight is one facet of the script, Melissa hopes to shed some pounds post-pregnancy, explaining the baby weight is "clinging to me with everything it’s got…I hope in a year that we’re like, ‘What are we going to do, she’s a rail?’"
The story centers on Mike (Billy Gardell) and Molly (Melissa), who get introduced at an overeaters meeting and begin to date. All cast members insist that there is a lot more to the plot than weight issues. Melissa calls it "a love story." Billy asserts, "I think our show has a more realistic heartbeat than any of those shows [like 'Biggest Loser']. I think we’re a little more interesting than just somebody who’s overweight pushing a tire up a hill. I think there’s a lot more soul to this show."