Chuck Lorre’s name has long been synonymous with American sitcoms that know how to blend laughs with genuine heartache. In the summer of 2025, Lorre’s latest creation, Leanne, burst onto Netflix and quickly became a favorite among viewers seeking both humor and emotional resonance. Starring the effervescent Leanne Morgan, the show draws directly from Morgan’s own stand-up routines, delivering a sharp, Southern-flavored take on starting over when life throws a curveball.
Debuting in July 2025 with a robust 16-episode first season, Leanne stands out in a crowded field of sitcoms. The story revolves around a Southern grandmother, played by Morgan herself, navigating the chaos and comedy of life after her longtime husband walks out on her. While this particular twist is fictional—Morgan has been happily married for over three decades—the series mines the rich vein of real-life struggles and triumphs that have informed her comedy for years. According to Country Living, the show "is hilarious and full of personality just like Leanne herself."
Part of what makes Leanne so binge-worthy is its cast of familiar faces. Kristen Johnston (of 3rd Rock from the Sun and Bride Wars fame) plays Leanne’s younger sister, Carol, bringing her trademark comedic timing and frankness to the role. Other standouts include Blake Clark, Celia Weston, and Graham Rogers, each lending old-school sitcom charm with a distinctly Southern twist. And in a nod to sitcom tradition, the show is filmed in front of a live studio audience, giving each episode that infectious energy you just can’t fake.
Fans have devoured the first season at record speed, with many taking to social media to plead for a second season. As Country Living notes, "fans are already bombarding Leanne's Instagram begging for a new season." Netflix, however, has yet to officially announce a renewal as of August 23, 2025. But the fact that the streaming giant greenlit a full 16-episode run right out of the gate is a strong sign that the network sees long-term potential in the show. For now, viewers are encouraged to rewatch the first season and rally their friends to join in the fun—a testament to the show’s rewatchability and Morgan’s magnetic appeal.
But Leanne isn’t just a flash in the pan. Its appeal is rooted in the way it honestly portrays the messiness of family life, especially among women. The dynamic between Leanne and her daughter Josie (Hannah Pilkes), as well as her close but sometimes fraught relationship with her sister Carol, feels fully realized and refreshingly authentic. The series doesn’t shy away from the "warts-and-all" reality of family ties, instead mining them for humor and, occasionally, a good cry.
This isn’t the first time Chuck Lorre has struck gold with a sitcom centered on complicated women and their relationships. Mom, another Lorre creation, ran for eight successful seasons on CBS and, as of August 23, 2025, is now available for streaming on Netflix. Starring Anna Faris and Allison Janney, Mom dives even deeper into the challenges of addiction, recovery, and breaking toxic family patterns—while never losing its comedic bite.
Janney’s portrayal of Bonnie Plunkett, a woman struggling to make amends for her past mistakes as a mother, is nothing short of revelatory. The role earned her two Emmy awards, and critics have lauded her ability to balance the character’s sharp wit with a deep well of vulnerability. As Collider puts it, "Janney brings nuance to the character of Bonnie that elevates Mom from other sitcoms. She makes the banter hit while also showing that this woman has scars."
Anna Faris, best known for her comedic chops in the Scary Movie franchise, stars as Christy, Bonnie’s daughter, who is herself grappling with addiction and the challenges of single motherhood. The show’s early seasons focus on the nuclear family, with Christy’s children, Violet and Roscoe, and her ex, Baxter, forming the core supporting cast. But as the series evolves, it becomes more of an ensemble about female friendship, with memorable performances from Jaime Pressly, Mimi Kennedy, and, notably, Kristen Johnston—who also stars in Leanne.
Johnston’s role in Mom as Tammy Diffendorf, Bonnie’s former foster sister, is a fan favorite. Her unfiltered honesty and comedic timing provide countless laugh-out-loud moments, and her transition from Mom to Leanne solidifies her status as one of TV’s most reliable comedic talents. The chemistry among the women in both shows demonstrates that a multi-cam sitcom, when done right, can be just as emotionally impactful as any drama.
What sets both Leanne and Mom apart from other sitcoms is their willingness to tackle serious issues without sacrificing humor. Mom in particular is praised for shining a light on addiction and recovery in a way that is both blunt and compassionate. It never sugarcoats the reality of its characters’ struggles, but it also never lets them wallow, always finding a way to inject levity and hope into even the darkest moments. According to Collider, "the writers and excellent cast manage to navigate the tone perfectly."
Even after Anna Faris departed Mom in its later seasons, the show continued to thrive, shifting its focus to the ensemble of older, working-class women who found strength and humor in their friendships. This "hangout" sitcom vibe is a rare niche in today’s TV landscape, and it’s one that Leanne seems poised to inherit and expand upon.
With Leanne riding high on its first season’s success and Mom finding a new audience on Netflix, Chuck Lorre’s legacy as a creator of sitcoms that celebrate the resilience and complexity of women is only growing stronger. Whether you’re tuning in for a laugh, a cry, or a bit of both, these shows prove that there’s always room for stories that find the funny in the messy, unpredictable realities of family life.
For now, fans of Leanne can only wait and hope for a second season, while those new to Mom have eight seasons of laughter and heartache to catch up on. One thing’s for sure: as long as Chuck Lorre and his talented cast of women are at the helm, the future of sitcoms looks both bright and brilliantly funny.
