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I’m sure we’re all doom scrolling through social media these days, and it has most certainly not been good for my mental health. But one bright spot that actually was good for my psyche came from “Matlock” creator Jennie Snyder Urman and her team.

Recently, when the iconic Kathy Bates was recognized with a well-deserved Emmy nomination for playing the unexpectedly complex “Matty” Matlock, Urman and team were ready with their flowers. Literally. The team formed a spirit tunnel, filled with cheers and balloons as well. They filmed that moment, and it was a joy to see on my feeds.

“We’re inspired every single day by your hard work and your grace and your humility and your talent and the way that you lead this set,” Urman said through tears on the video. Quipped Bates: “This has been an extraordinary experience for an old broad like me.

The Big Bang Theory was about to get cancelled until an experiment saved the show. That’s true. In the book, ‘The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series’ by Jessica Radloff, the creators, actors, and other crew members reveal several layered theories about the show. The 2007-08 WGA strikes led to the show’s culmination, which CBS then saved. Talking about the situation, The Big Bang Theory writer Lee Aronsohn said,

“Chuck and I were very concerned that the early momentum and ratings success would dissipate over the course of the strike, and the audience wouldn’t come back for it. I know that affected Bill a lot. And Bill was a strike captain.”

To which co-creator Bill Prady replied that,

“Joel Murray was the director when we were shut down in the middle of the episode (“The Cooper-Hofstadter Polarization”), and I was beside myself.

Any actor will tell you that it's a tall order to convincingly play drunk; try too hard and you can come off as insincere, but it can also ring false if you don't go far enough with the act. According to Jessica Radloff's 2022 book "The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series," star Johnny Galecki, who played Leonard Hofstadter on Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady's beloved CBS sitcom for 12 years and the same number of seasons, had a tricky way to convincingly fake his intoxication.

"Acting drunk is really hard to play, so I would ask Scott London, our prop master, to cut up a dish sponge into pieces, soak it in whiskey, and put it in a disposable coffee cup with a lid on it and give it to me," Galecki revealed to Radloff in the book. I would just smell that...

Some sitcom producers play favorites. How else to explain why they would hire the same actor two, three or four times to play multiple parts on their TV comedies?

For reasons the world can’t quite fathom, here are five sitcoms that cast the same actor to play different parts on the same show. As If We Wouldn’T Notice.

1 Two and a Half Men

The hilarious Judy Greer played three different characters on the show: Walden’s ex-wife Bridget; Herb Melnick’s little sister Myra; and Danny, a lesbian who Walden tries to pick up. At least the physical resemblance explains both his attraction and the duplicate roles.

But Chuck Lorre wasn’t done with his lazy casting. I like Jennifer Taylor as much as the next guy, but Lorre cast her in four different parts —Charlie’s ex-fiancee Chelsea; Suzanne, who flirts with Charlie in a grocery store; Tina,...

Jon Cryer is not interested in a Two and a Half Men Reboot (Photo Credit – Amazon Prime Video)

During an appearance on The View in February 2024, Jon Cryer flat-out rejected the notion of bringing back the popular CBS comedy, Two and a Half Men, that was on air from 2003 to 2015, Variety reported.

When asked about the possibility of a reboot, Cryer was candid: “Oh gosh, oh gosh. Yeah, I don’t know how that happens.” He acknowledged that Charlie Sheen is doing better now, which is “wonderful,” but pointed out that they haven’t been in touch for a few years.

Jon Cryer also mentioned the fallout between Sheen and Two and a Half Men producer Chuck Lorre, who was deeply affected by the rift. “That they have reconciled is really lovely,” Cryer added, referring to Sheen and Lorre’s renewed friendship after their dramatic split.

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After its late July release on Netflix, Leanne Morgan's debut sitcom Leanne has been staging quite the success story. The series, which comes from prolific sitcom creator and producer Chuck Lorre, quickly shop up the daily ranking for the top 10 most popular shows on Netflix and hasn't left the ranking since its arrival. All signs are pointing a solid victory for the comedian!

While Leanne's debut ratings on Netflix, clocking in at No. 7 on the weekly top 10 with 2.7 million views and 14.9 million hours watched in its first four days, appear to be a bit muted, that's usually to be expected with original comedy series on Netflix. Those numbers are small compared to those of a thriller like Untamed, but mysteries and limited series tend to have a wider reach.

Admittedly, Leanne falls below the debut of recent Netflix comedy hits like Nobody Wants This and Running Point, though as...

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage Season 2 premieres on October 16, 2025, on CBS, and we cannot wait to return to one of television's most beloved couples as they navigate raising their daughter CeCe. Unlike its predecessor, Young Sheldon, the spin-off is filmed in front of a live studio audience with tickets available for fans to attend tapings with dates running through Tuesday, December 16. With taping kicking off this past Tuesday, August 5, we now have some lovely pictures from behind the scenes featuring some of the show's beloved cast.

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage was co-created by Chuck Lorre, Steven Molaro, and Steve Holland. To celebrate the start of production, co-creator Molaro took to his social media account to share images from set. One image captures Mandy (Emily Osment), back in front of a camera, helping the citizens of Medford with their weather updates. “Season 2, Day 1!,” read Molaro's caption. Series star, Osment, would not...

Before it became a household name, The Big Bang Theory was actually titled Lenny, Penny, and Kenny. But the placeholder title got changed after the creators’ duo, Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, contemplated paying an ode to a TV producer-director-actor, Sheldon Leonard, citing that Jim Parsons‘ character name was taken from this theory.

Further citing about the title of the show, in a book titled ‘The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series’ by Jessica Radloff, the cast and crew share their take on this. It turns out that the show’s co-creator, Chuck Lorre, wasn’t just thinking about the scientific theory; he was also giggling at a s*xual double entendre. Talking about it further, Lorre said,

“I emailed Bill and said, ‘Let’s take a look at various scientific phrases and see if there’s anything in any of them.’ One of...

It’s no surprise that a Netflix title tops the Samba TV Wrap report streaming chart again this week. After all, the biggest streamer by subscriber count has now held the top spot for nine straight weeks, making this a true Netflix summer.

What is a surprise is that the streamer holds the top four spots on the chart this week. Making matters more interesting is that all four of those titles have been available for several weeks, and in one case, more than a month. After five straight weeks with five different chart-toppers, this defies the “here today, gone tomorrow” trend we’ve seen with Netflix content.

Rest assured, there are Netflix debuts on the chart this week – three of them, in fact. That gives Netflix seven total spots on this week’s chart. In other words, total streaming domination. And this week, one of Netflix’s all-time biggest titles,...

Leanne, the new Netflix comedy executive produced by Chuck Lorre, is climbing the Netflix charts. Debuting in July, with Leanne Morgan in the lead role, the 16-episode sitcom centers on Morgan as a woman whose life is upended when her husband of more than three decades leaves her for someone younger.

With the cast of Leannealso including Kristen Johnston, Celia Weston, Blake Clark, Ryan Stiles, Graham Rogers, and Hannah Pilkes, the Netflix Original is co-created by Morgan, Lorre, and Susan McMartin. It debuted to generally positive reviews, with particular praise for Morgan's performance, and a 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. It's now finding the viewership to match.

Netflix has revealed that Leanne is the seventh-most-watched show globally for the week of July 28 to August 3, with 2.7 million views and 14.9 hours viewed overall. It joins the streamer's big hits like the tawdry drama The Hunting Wives and the Eric Bana mystery thriller Untamed,...

Ding, dong! The Las Culturistas Culture Awards have made their grand debut on Bravo — but was it a moment in culture that made you say culture is for you? (The answer, obviously, is yes.) Let’s recap.

The evening kicked off with a culture-defining performance of Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra” by Las Culturistas podcast hosts Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang.

More from TVLineMurder in a Small Town Season 2 Trailer Reveals First Look at Marcia Gay Harden's Arrival (Exclusive)Kristen Johnston and Chuck Lorre Lament Mom Cancellation, Discuss How Leanne Is Thematically SimilarThe Terminal List: Dark Wolf Trailer: Taylor Kitsch...

Chuck Lorre's newest sitcom, Leanne, fills the void left by his hit 2013 sitcom, according to the creator, star, and executive producer. Leanne stars comedian Leanne Morgan (who also co-created the show with Lorre), as a 50-something mother who has to start life over again when her husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman.

Leanne has received positive response for its offbeat humor, emotionally weighty scenes, strong central performance, and mature protagonist. Focusing on an older central character, it marks a departure from the broader and more accessible sitcoms Lorre has made in the past, but it also serves as something of a spiritual successor to hit sitcom Mom, which ran 8 seasons from 2013-2021.

Per TV Line, Lorre, executive producer Nick Bakay, and star Kristen Johnston (Carol) discussed how Leanne thematically fills the void left by Mom's cancellation. Bakay talked about bringing in Johnston, who starred in Mom, while...

Known for portraying Howard’s overbearing and loud mother on The Big Bang Theory, Carol Ann Susi became a fan favorite, despite never appearing on the show. The actress made millions laugh as one of the most iconic characters on the show, with her strong off-camera presence.

Tragically, the actress passed away on November 11, 2014, before she could make an appearance on the show. According to Deadline, Ann Susi passed away a week and a half after she was diagnosed with cancer. Her sudden passing shocked the Tbbt cast and crew, who fondly remembered her warmth, humor, and lasting impact on the show.

Carol Ann Susi’s Sudden Passing Shocked The Big Bang Theory Cast & Crew Carol Ann Susi in That ’70s Show | Credit: Fox

The news of Carol Ann Susi’s passing was shocking for the The Big Bang Theory cast and crew. Melissa Rauch shared her disbelief, saying she...

If you thought it was hard to watch one of The Chi‘s Jada succumb to cancer in the Season 7 finale, think about how tough it was for Yolanda Ross to play her as the character’s (and Ross’) time on the show came to a bittersweet end.

Ross has portrayed single mom/community stalwart Jada Washington since the Paramount+ With Showtime drama premiered in 2018. The end of that work brought up a ton of emotions, she says, but on set, she tried to focus on getting Jada’s final scenes right.

More from TVLineWhat to Watch This Week: 50 Premieres,...

The Big Bang Theory is one of the most famous sitcoms of all time, and continues to be popular even over six years after its finale. As the universe continues to expand, creator Chuck Lorre focused on different projects.

After creating two more additions to The Big Bang Theory universe, Young Sheldon and Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, Lorre has a new sitcom on Netflix: Leanne. The filmmaker co-created the show with Susan McMartin and Leanne Morgan, and it premiered on the streaming platform on Jul. 31. Shortly after its release, audiences gave Leanne an exciting, near-perfect 96% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes, marking a thrilling start for the new sitcom.

The enthusiastic 96% response comes from over 100 ratings, although it's still in its early days. Among the subscribers' opinions, the series is "so funny" and features a great cast and is well-written.

One person admitted "the first episode doesn’t land as well,...

Chuck Lorre, who has created hit shows like The Big Bang Theory, has found new success with his current sitcom, Leanne. Interestingly, the series creator recently likened his new show to his past hit sitcom, Mom.

Speaking to TV Line, Lorre discussed the "dramatic through line" that both Mom and Leanne share in their stories about women having to effectively start their entire lives over. "How do you start over? Can you start over? And the answer is yes - with support [from] family and friends who care for you and want you to survive and succeed," Loree explained. "Both shows have that element of hope that you can crawl out of the ashes and start again."

Leanne star Kristen Johnston, who also starred in Mom as recovering addict Tammy Diffendorf during the series' final four seasons, added, "There are women of a certain age who are starved for this kind of [show]. When Mom was canceled,...

The Challenge veterans may be facing an onslaught of New Threats this season, but some things — including many of the cast’s unrelenting rivalries — may never change.

In the Season 41 premiere of The Challenge: Vets and New Threats (read our post mortem here), Cara Maria Sorbello gave us a little tease of what’s in store this season between herself and seven-time winner Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio.

More from TVLineKing of the Hill Boss Defends the Choice to Explore Bobby's Sex Life (!) - Plus, Grade the Revival!King of the Hill Team Explains Why Hulu's Revival Aged Up Its Characters...

Chuck Lorre’s newest sitcom introduces standup comedian Leanne Morgan as a middle-aged, church-going Tennessee woman whose life is turned upside down when her husband of 33 years leaves her. Leanne is a protagonist not often seen on TV, finally satisfying the hunger that Morgan has seen from women her age while on tour.

“I knew that I was in a lane by myself, and that my demographic had been ignored, and Hollywood has ignored them … I see all the time, when I’m on stage, how hungry they are for something that depicts their life and something authentic,” Morgan told TheWrap, thanking Lorre on behalf of women and their husbands in the middle of the U.S. for crafting one of the only shows centered on on the group.

“It is a vacuum — those stories are not being told about their lives, and I just saw that as an opportunity...

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Leanne is a sitcom series co-created by Susan McMartin, Chuck Lorre, and Leanne Morgan. The Netflix series follows Leanne, a middle-aged woman whose 33-year-old marriage comes crumbling down when her husband leaves. Now she must care for her children while also trying to reenter the dating scene with the help of her sister. Leanne stars Leanne Morgan, Kristen Johnston, Celia Weston, Blake Clark, Ryan Stiles, Graham Rogers, and Hannah Pikes. So, if you loved the hilarious comedy, touching story, and likeable characters in Netflix’s Leanne, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Reba Credit – The WB

Reba is a sitcom series created by Allison M. Gibson. The WB and later on The CW series is set in Houston, Texas and it follows Reba Hart, a middle-aged woman who whole life turns upside down when...

Leanne Morgan, the star of the new Chuck Lorre sitcom on Netflix, wants to follow along with Leanne’s journey in a potential Season 2 of the show. Co-created by Chuck Lorre, Susan McMartin, and Leanne Morgan herself, it follows a middle-aged woman going through an unexpected split after 33 years of marriage.

Throughout its 16-episode run, the show follows Leanne grappling with the unexpected twist in her life alongside her family and sister, and finally moving on with her new boyfriend, Andrew. And Morgan has now expressed hopes for a potential Leanne Season 2. “Yes, I hope it goes a second season,” she told TV Insider in a recent interview.

“Whether it’s romantic or a job, you know, she’s tended to her family all of her life, put everybody else first, I want people to see what she’s gonna do,” she added, noting that she is looking forward to...

Chuck Lorre is back with a new sitcom, titled “Leanne,” led by standup comedian Leanne Morgan.

The sitcom follows Leanne as her life gets turned upside down after her husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman, leading her to lean on her twice-divorced sister Carol (Kristen Johnston) and her family to get through the tough spot.

Learn more about the cast of the new Netflix sitcom below, and where you might have seen them before.

Patrick McElhenney/Netflix

Leanne Morgan as Leanne

Comedian Leanne Morgan plays the sitcom’s titular character Leanne, who is in for the shock of her life when her husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman.

Outside of her standup, Morgan can be seen in “You’re Cordially Invited” and “Sun Moon.”

Patrick McElhenney/Netflix

Kristen Johnston as Carol

Kristen Johnston plays Carol, Leanne’s sister who helps her navigate her divorce from first-hand experience,...

[Warning: The below contains Major spoilers for Leanne Season 1.] Chuck Lorre‘s latest comedy has arrived on Netflix as comedian Leanne Morgan takes center stage in the streamer’s multi-camera series Leanne. The show, which follows the eponymous character as she grapples with the unexpected twist her life has taken after her husband of over 30 years cheats on her with a younger woman. The 16-episode comedy showcases Leanne’s relationships with her kids, sister Carol (Kristen Johnston), her estranged husband Bill (Ryan Stiles), and her budding romance with boyfriend Andrew (Tim Daly). It also highlights the ups and downs of being a woman as she goes through big changes like menopause and finding her place in an evolving world. But will there be more stories on the horizon? “Yes, I hope it goes a second season,” Morgan tells TV Insider. “It’s definitely set up to hopefully continue,” Johnston adds. For those who have binged the season,...

Reba show fans, come to the front, because we might have just found your next summer binge-watch. Produced by Chuck Lorre (The Big Bang Theory) and Susan McMartin (Mom), Leannefollows real-life stand-up comedian Leanne Morgan, who is struggling to find herself again after her husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman. With the help of her family and friends, Leanne tries to navigate starting over in her 50s, in addition to re-entering the dating scene and supporting her adult children as a now single mom. Not only has the new comedy series claimed the number two spot on the Netflix Top 10 Shows list after premiering on the streaming service on July 31, but it also managed to score pretty high on the Popcornmeter on Rotten Tomatoes, proving that fans are loving this Southern-based sitcom — and we’re confident Reba fans will, too.

While Leanne has received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics,...

In Netflix’s latest sitcom, Leanne, created by comedians Leanne Morgan, Chuck Lorre, and Susan McMartin, the instigating event comes at the very beginning of the show when fifty-something Leanne’s average Joe husband, Bill, cheats on her. The show builds on that; it focuses on Leanne’s journey towards empowerment while bringing many subplots into the mix. The ending of the first season is quite tame compared to the beginning, but it actually seems fitting—both for the lead character and the story. Let’s get on to it.

Spoilers Ahead

What Happens in the Show?

Leanne Murphy probably never imagined her husband Bill would ever cheat on her, but one fine day, that’s exactly what happens, shaking her world. She’s already a grandmother—her young son, Tyler, has a newborn and another one on the way—and doesn’t have anything in life other than her family.

When key members of Mom’s creative team — including prolific sitcom producer Chuck Lorre — reunited to build a new show around Leanne Morgan, they knew they wanted to surround the stand-up comedian with trusted performers they worked with on previous projects.

That included Ryan Stiles, who for 11 out of 12 seasons recurred as Dr. Herb Melnick on Two and a Half Men, and Kristen Johnston, who for four out of eight seasons starred as recovering addict Tammy Diffendorf on the aforementioned Mom.

More from TVLineLeanne Morgan Tees Up Her Netflix Comedy From EP Chuck Lorre, Reveals How Her Real-Life Husband Feels...

Netflix’s Leanne starts out following a woman in her 50s, starting fresh after a bitter divorce, but throughout the 16 episodes of its first season, it presents something much more grounded and emotionally rewarding.

While she muddles her way through heartbreak, spinsterhood, and middle-age mayhem, the series finale takes her far from where she started: from loss and bewilderment to certainty and emotional resolution. By the end, Leanne not only finds closure with her ex-husband but also opens herself to new love with Andrew, along with the show’s most touching reconciliations with her sister, Carol.

Leanne Season 1 Ending Explained: Did Leanne and Bill Get Back Together?

Season 1 of Leanne does not end on a rekindled romance but on one of closure. Married for 33 years, she is shaken when her husband Bill leaves her for another woman. Shattered as she is, she manages in the end to pick up the pieces,...

Chuck Lorre's newest Netflix sitcom, Leanne, has debuted to his lowest Rotten Tomatoes score in four years, since United States of Al in 2021. The prolific sitcom king has written, produced and created some of the most popular and successful TV shows in recent times, including The Big Bang Theory, and Two and A Half Men.

Created by Lorre and comedian Leanne Morgan, in her first starring role, Leanne debuted on Netflix on July 31, and follows Leanne (Morgan), a 50-something woman who is forced to start her life over again when her husband of 33 years, Bill (Ryan Stiles) leaves her for another woman, and the show has posted a fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Per Rotten Tomatoes, Leanne has been certified 'fresh' on the review aggregation site, with a critics' score of 82%, as well as an audience score of 100%. Despite the impressive critical review, it is actually Lorre's lowest score...

Warning: This post contains spoilers for Thursday’s Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

This week’s Star Trek: Strange New Worlds introduced us to the cast of a fictional 1960s sci-fi TV show… and the star of that show sounded very familiar.

More from TVLineCara Maria Sorbello Says Johnny Bananas 'Wants The Challenge to Die With Him'King of the Hill Team Explains Why Hulu's Revival Aged Up Its Characters (and What's Staying the Same)Kristen Johnston and Chuck Lorre Lament Mom Cancellation, Discuss How Leanne Is Thematically Similar

Paul Wesley — who plays James T. Kirk on Strange New Worlds — played frustrated actor Maxwell Saint,...

Looking to add some much-needed laughs into your life? Look no further than Netflix's brand-new sitcom Leanne, which comes from The Big Bang Theory mastermind Chuck Lorre and stars breakthrough stand-up comedy talent Leanne Morgan. All 16 episodes of the series made their premiere on July 31, making for the perfect late summer comedy binge-watch!

Based on the comedy of Leanne Morgan but not completely based on her life, the comedian stars as Leanne Murphy, a wife, mother, and grandmother who suddenly finds herself single when her husband of over 30 years (Ryan Stiles) leaves her for another woman. She leans on her children, parents, and young sister Carol (Kristen Johnston) to start a new chapter in her life.

If you're a fan of Morgan or sitcoms, you're probably going to be quick to dive into this show on Netflix, and you're right to since it's the comeback to cozy '00s-era sitcoms we've needed.

Netflix’s new sitcom Leanne, starring comedian Leanne Morgan and co‑created with Chuck Lorre, debuted its first 16‑episode season on July 31, 2025, with the entire season dropping globally. However, for those of you wondering when a second season will be released, unfortunately, it hasn’t been renewed for Season 2 yet.

Starring Morgan as a sitcom matriarch, the series is a show full of laughter, disguised as a coping mechanism. While a second season’s yet to be announced, Morgan already knows what she’ll be doing if it is renewed: make out more with her husband, Chuck Morgan. In a recent interview with Glamour, the actress hilariously explained:

I didn’t know how to kiss Tim Daly. I kissed his bottom teeth by accident! And it was because I don’t make out enough with Chuck Morgan. We’ve been married for a hundred years. So I need to make out with Chuck Morgan more.

Over the past decade, sitcoms have unfortunately become a dying art. Yes, there are still super popular multi-cam sitcoms on the air and even on streaming services, but they are not nearly as celebrated or popular as they once were. Thankfully, Netflix looks to further revive the classic sitcom with a little help with one of the freshest voices in modern comedy.

Leanne made its premiere on July 31 and defied Netflix norms in various ways. Not only is the streamer launching a new multi-cam sitcom, but for what might be the first time, Netflix dropped all 16 episodes of the series at once. In the past, the streamer has split the vast majority of its multi-cam efforts into small parts, like the overly complicated release pattern of The Upshaws.

Who would have thought that it would be daring to release a new multi-cam sitcom? That's where we are, especially in a...

Offbeat yet family-centered, “Leanne” doubles down on the Southern wit and candid conversation around well-lived womanhood that has made comedian Leanne Morgan a standup sensation.

Co-created with Chuck Lorre, whose sitcom track record with “Two and a Half Men,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “Mom,” and more has earned him the tag “King of Sitcoms,” the 16-episode comedy has a new beginnings twist. After 33 years of marriage, Leanne’s husband Bill (Ryan Lee Stiles) suddenly leaves her for a younger woman, forcing her to rethink her life as a now single grandmother in menopause.

With her parents Daddy John (Blake Clark) and Mama Margaret (Celia Weston) still together, divorce is a hard state for Leanne but well-worn territory for her sister Carol (Kristen Johnston) who becomes her rock. As Carol encourages her big sister to get out there, Leanne’s life takes unexpected turns. From their small community discovering the scandalous...

In the vast and often chaotic landscape of streaming content, where platforms chase youth-oriented fantasies and high-concept prestige dramas, a show like Leanne feels like an intentional anomaly. The premise is deceptively simple: Leanne, a woman from East Tennessee whose entire adult identity has been shaped by her 33-year marriage, is suddenly cast adrift when her husband leaves her for a younger woman. Her world, once stable and defined, collapses.

The series sets its stage in suburban Knoxville, a setting that is far from a generic backdrop; it is a character in itself, shaping the humor, the values, and the gentle conflicts of the narrative. What follows is a journey of rediscovery, a theme as old as storytelling itself. Yet, placing this journey squarely on the shoulders of a woman in her late 50s gives it a particular cultural resonance.

Leanne is a story about the messy, uncertain, and often...

First things first, this review of Leanne, Netflix’s latest sitcom, is based on the first eight episodes that were given out for press viewing. Just to clarify, the series may be named after one of its co-creators, comedian Leanne Morgan, but it is not based on her life. The lead character, Leanne Murphy, is completely fictional; there is no Creed Bratton (The Office) or Matt LeBlanc (Episodes) thing going on here—where an actor plays a fictionalized version of himself. Leanne tells the story of fifty-something Leanne Murphy (played by Morgan herself), whose mostly perfect world—husband, kids, and grandkids—takes a tumble when the husband cheats on her with another (much younger) woman. Now that’s a terrible thing, but Morgan and her co-creator, Chuck Lorre, have made a comedy out of it. And by comedy, I don’t mean what we usually get these days—sharp, subtle,...

Netflix’s Leanne opens with a devastating loss. As the series gets underway, its eponymous heroine (played by Leanne Morgan) is just hours into processing the news that her husband, Bill (Ryan Stiles), has decided to leave her for another woman — thus upending the very foundation of the life she’s built over the past 33 years as his devoted wife, occasional business partner and doting mother of their two now-grown children.

Leanne, understandably, is furious and heartbroken. Leanne, however, feels anything but. Co-created by sitcom king Chuck Lorre with Morgan and Susan McMartin, the sitcom veers more sweet than bitter, more fizzy than heavy, more focused on the comedic possibilities of Leanne’s wide-open future than the poignant memories of her past. If it’s rarely hilarious, it’s pleasant in a sturdy, old-fashioned way, with a back-to-basics reliance on likable characters and approachable chemistry over topical jokes or formal experimentation.

My expectations for Leanne were somewhat conflicted given its status as a Chuck Lorre sitcom. On the one hand, I love sitcoms. Shows like Parks and Rec, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, or even older sitcoms like Seinfeld rank among some of my favorite television series of all time. I truly believe that the sitcom format is one of the most brilliant creations of the television medium, and I find them to be consistently reliable comfort viewing if nothing else.

On the other hand, I’m not exactly a huge fan of Chuck Lorre’s particular style. I’ve always found Two and a Half Men to be insufferable, and while I have a bit of a nostalgic soft spot for the early seasons of The Big Bang Theory, I will be the first to admit that the series has aged like milk. This series ends up somewhere in the middle of that spectrum.

Leanne Morgan’s Netflix sitcom is just around the corner, set to premiere this Thursday, July 31, 2025, on Netflix. Co-created by the comedian, Chuck Lorre, and Susan McMartin, it marks the stand-up comic’s TV debut as a lead star, as she embodies the role of a woman, tackling a separation more than three decades into her marriage.

In what she has described as a dream come true, Morgan is sharing the screen with industry veterans like Kristen Johnston and Ryan Stiles, with the highly anticipated Netflix offering that has become the talk of the town recently.

Leanne Morgan’s Take on Late-Life Divorce Caught Chuck Lorre’s Eye

Leanne Morgan’s upcoming show has been largely inspired by her stand-ups, which the comedian usually bases on her life as a mother, grandmother, and her family. However, it was one bit from her Netflix special that really caught Chuck Lorre’s eye.

Tomorrow, Netflix is premiering Leanne, a new sitcom. Some will think of this as a vehicle for stand-up comic Leanne Morgan, which is fair: It is her name in the title, she’s credited as a co-creator and the show revolves around her character, also named Leanne, navigating a midlife split from her longtime husband Bill (Ryan Stiles). Some will categorize it among the many multicam sitcoms for which its co-creator, Chuck Lorre, is known, including Two and A Half Men, The Big Bang Theory and Dharma & Greg. But discerning viewers will have marked “New Kristen Johnston show” on their calendars as soon as Morgan, during her guest co-host stint, threw to a preview clip on Today’s fourth hour.

For any who doubt whether Johnston should always be considered a headliner — including in Leanne, where Johnston’s character Carol is undeniably the sidekick to her sister, the show...

“I’m a church-going grandmama from the south who is in menopause with a weak pelvic floor,” comedian Leanne Morgan laughingly told us in her sweet, Tennessee accent on the set of her new multi-cam sitcom premiering July 31. That kind of real talk made Morgan’s “I’m Every Woman” Netflix stand-up special a hit – so much of a hit that the streamer ordered two more of those specials, plus these 16 scripted episodes produced by the legendary Chuck Lorre. On Leanne, Morgan plays a fictionalized version of herself, a 60-something Knoxvillian restarting her life after hubs/college sweetheart, Bill (Ryan Stiles), leaves her for another woman. Younger, wilder sis Carol helps Leanne put down the lasagna, get out of bed, deal with her adult kids and aging parents, and start dating. Morgan says, “I have a love interest with Tim Daly. The weeks he’s here, I eat Altoids and lose weight.

Chuck Lorre is basically the king of sitcoms, and honestly, if you’ve spent any time watching TV over the past three decades, you’ve probably laughed at his work. The guy’s been cranking out hit after hit since the ’90s, mastering that perfect blend of heart and humor that keeps us coming back for more.

From his early days dealing with network drama to becoming the mastermind behind some of television’s biggest phenomena, Lorre’s shows have this uncanny ability to find the funny in life’s messiest moments. With 12 original series spanning multiple networks and the streaming world, his work has evolved with the times while keeping that signature Chuck Lorre magic intact.

13. Frannie’s Turn (1992) Network: CBS | Seasons: 1 Promotional Poster of Frannie’s Turn (1992) | Credits: CBS

Before we dive into the official ranking, we need to acknowledge Chuck Lorre’s very first creation, the show that almost...

Chuck Lorre is heading back to Netflix with an all-new multi-camera comedy titled Leanne, led by comedian Leanne Morgan, who is stepping into the spotlight with her first major TV role. Leanne follows the titular character’s journey as her life is flipped upside down when her husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman. As a grandmother in the midst of menopause, Leanne didn’t picture having to start over in life at this stage, but with the help of her family, especially her sister Carol (Kristen Johnston), she’s able to embrace the chaos. Not dissimilar to Leanne’s journey of learning to live with something new, Morgan had the experience of adjusting to working on a TV soundstage. When asked if Johnston, who has previously collaborated with Lorre on Mom, was a help in Morgan acclimating to the environment, she says, “Yes, my darling, she had to...

While The Big Bang Theory‘s latest spinoff will feature many familiar faces, some fans are holding out hope to see the original show’s main friend group return to the small screen. Stuart Fails to Save the Universe will follow Kevin Sussman‘s titular comic book shop owner as he is “tasked with restoring reality after he breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon,” per HBO Max’s official logline. Though the show connects to characters such as Jim Parsons‘ Sheldon Cooper and Johnny Galecki‘s Leonard Hofstadter, cocreator Chuck Lorre said he “cannot speak” about which Big Bang Theory stars will appear on the show. “That is a closely guarded piece of information that, you know… I’ve taken a blood oath regarding,” Lorre quipped in an interview with TVLine published on Monday, July 28. Lorre went on to ask the interviewer...

More of the National Park Service’s dark secrets will soon be coming to light: Netflix has renewed its Yosemite-set murder mystery Untamed for Season 2, TVLine has learned.

The drama that was initially announced as a limited series dropped its full first season on July 17. The series is officially described as a “character-driven mystery thriller that follows National Parks Service special agent Kyle Turner (Eric Bana) who works to enforce human law in nature’s vast wilderness.”

More from TVLineHappy Gilmore 2 Sets Netflix Record, Hunting Wives Has Solid DebutPride and Prejudice: Netflix's 'Faithful' Adaptation Reveals Complete Cast, First PhotoLeanne Morgan...

Netflix has released a first look at Pride and Prejudice, its six-episode, “faithful, classic adaptation” of the Jane Austen novel, as production gets underway in the UK.

Written by Dolly Alderton (Everything I Know About Love) and directed by Euros Lyn (Heartstopper), the miniseries’ previously announced castings included Emma Corrin and Olivia Colman, who previously collaborated on Netflix’s The Crown, as Elizabeth Bennet and Mrs. Bennet, while Jack Lowden (Slow Horses) will play Mr. Darcy.

More from TVLineHappy Gilmore 2 Sets Netflix Record, Hunting Wives Has Solid DebutUntamed Renewed for Season 2 at Netflix Leanne Morgan Tees Up Her Netflix Comedy From EP Chuck Lorre,...

After over 30 years of blissful marriage, Leanne and Chuck Morgan know a thing or two about love — but Leanne’s semi-autobiographical Netflix sitcom, launching Thursday, July 31, paints a far less rosy picture of wedded life.

In Leanne, co-created by Morgan alongside Chuck Lorre and Susan McMartin (Mom), the titular character is thrown for a loop when her husband of 33 years, Bill — portrayed by Two and a Half Men’s Ryan Stiles — leaves her for another woman.

More from TVLineLeanne Morgan Netflix Sitcom From EP Chuck Lorre Will Drop All 16 Episodes This Month — Watch TrailerEvery New Scripted Show Confirmed to Premiere in 2025 — Save the Dates!

Leanne star Kristen Johnston once made several headlines for her brief romance with the MCU star Ryan Reynolds. The Deadpool actor is known to have had a series of high-profile romances before settling down with Blake Lively.

Johnston and Reynolds initially sparked dating rumors in the late ’90s, especially after they attended the premiere of Tom Hanks’ 1999 film, The Green Mile, together. And while the details of their romance had been vague, Johnston did later confirm the relationship during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live.

Kristen Johnston Called Ex Ryan Reynolds a Lovely Guy Kristen Johnston in Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen | Credit: @wwhl/ YouTube

Known for her Emmy-winning performance as Sally Solomon in the sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun, Kristen Johnston has not had many public relationships, but her brief romance with actor Ryan Reynolds sparked considerable interest.

Related: Ryan Reynolds’ Role in Dragging Gwyneth Paltrow...

The Big Bang Theory co-creator Chuck Lorre doesn't seem to be ruling out any alumni reprisals in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. The upcoming spinoff will be the third offshoot in the fan-favorite comedy franchise.

Speaking with TVLine's Ryan Schwartz to promote his new Netflix series Leanne, Lorre addressed the possibility of the main Big Bang Theory cast returning to cameo in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. "I cannot speak to that. That is a closely guarded piece of information that, you know… I’ve taken a blood oath regarding," the franchise co-creator joked. After Schwartz noted that the fans, including himself, were hoping to see the likes of Kaley Cuoco, Jim Parsons, and Johnny Galecki back as their respective Big Bang characters, Penny, Sheldon, and Leonard, in the new spinoff, Lorre remarked, "You’re going to love this show."

First announced in April 2023 by Warner Bros. Discovery,...

Kristen Johnston, who is making a comeback with the new Netflix sitcom Leanne, recently reflected on her iconic S*x and the City cameo. Johnston made a guest appearance in the S*x and the City Season 6 episode Splat!, delivering an unforgettable line that she believes might end up on her gravestone.

“It probably will go on my gravestone, that quote of ‘New York is over,'” she told Page Six in an exclusive interview, published July 28. And the actress has no qualms about it, as she is ready to wholeheartedly embrace it as her legacy.

“And you know what? I’m totally Ok with that, if that is my legacy, Lexi Featherston,” Johnston added, reflecting on her iconic cameo, which ultimately left a significant impact on Carrie Bradshaw.

Kristen Johnston’s S*x and the City Cameo Was Brief, Hilarious, and Fatal

Kristen Johnston’s Lexi Featherston is undoubtedly...

Even with The Big Bang Theory having been off the air for several years now, the universe continues to expand with new spin-offs. The latest is an unlikely spin-off of a character who appeared in The Big Bang Theory but wasn't part of the core friend group, Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman). HBO Max has recently ordered a TV series centered on the comic book store owner, titled Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. According to the show's official logline below, there are mentions of characters from the flagship series, Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki). TV Line caught up with the brains behind this universe, Chuck Lorre, while he promoted his newest comedy, Leanne, and they asked him whether viewers would see Parsons and Galecki in the upcoming show.

"I cannot speak to that,” Lorre said, unsurprisingly mum about the affair. "That is a closely guarded piece of information that,...

With her new Netflix series Leanne, Tennessee comic Leanne Morgan proves it’s never too late to fulfill your dreams — even if those dreams involve getting your own sitcom.

Achieving this months before she turns 60, Morgan’s series, inspired by her stand-up, focuses on the life of a grandmother whose world is upended when her husband, played by Ryan Stiles, unexpectedly leaves her after 33 years of marriage.

Morgan’s path to the stage, and to this series, was anything but traditional. She decided to try her hand at stand-up after leaving a lasting impression on customers while selling jewelry door-to-door, and has spent the decades since honing her craft, leading to her breakout with viral clips during the pandemic. She continued to build out her following with I’m Every Woman, a 2023 Netflix special that drew the attention of many, including the “King of Sitcoms,” Chuck Lorre.

No stranger to crafting comedies centered around stand-ups,...