PILOT REVIEW: Mike & Molly

MIKE & MOLLY

Starring: Billy Gardell, Melissa McCarthy, Reno Wilson, Katy Mixon, Nyambi Nyambi, and Swoosie Kurtz
Created by Mark Roberts
Written by Mark Roberts, Directed by James Burrows

Mike & Molly is a new comedy on CBS from hitmaker Chuck Lorre that focuses on a segment of the population that doesn't get much exposure in leading roles: overweight people. Chicago cop Mike Biggs (Billy Gardell) meets 4th Grade teacher Molly Flynn (Melissa McCarthy) at Overeaters Anonymous. They are instantly smitten with each other but it takes several encounters before Mike finally asks Molly on a date at the end of the pilot. Rounding out the ensemble are Mike's fast-talking partner Carl (Reno Wilson), Molly's sister (Kathy Mixon) and mother (Swoosie Kurtz).

Mike & Molly resorted too often to fat jokes in the pilot but there is an inherent sweetness to it that if the writers can bring that out more, would make this comedy a winner. The standouts are easily the two charming leads. They instantly are people you want to root for. Neither character is over the top, they are earnest and it's easy to see why they fell for each other. The supporting cast is more of a mixed bag. Reno Wilson has some good lines in the pilot and a great sight gag in the elementary school bathroom but Molly's sister and mother are not very likable. Then again, their characters did not get much screen time in the pilot so it's hard to make too much of a judgment call. The pilot had some very good moments including the classroom scene (the kids were great in it, they'd be wise to use them again) and the final scene when Mike asks Molly out.

Mike & Molly shows more promise than any of last year's sorry bunch of live audience-filmed sitcoms. Chuck Lorre knows how to create and nurture hits (The Big Bang Theory took awhile to find its feet). If Mike & Molly is only going to get better from its already promising pilot, CBS may have another hit on its hands. It needs to focus on the sweetness and the relationship, not the overweightness and we may have a charming new romantic comedy.