Mike & Molly: The Sixth and Final Season – DVD Review

“Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided me with a free copy of the DVD I reviewed in this Blog Post. The opinions I share are my own.”

mikemolly_s6

I have loved Mike & Molly since the pilot, and thoroughly enjoyed every episode all the way through the series finale. There was a special magic that the series had. A genuine mix of hardcore laughs and real heart that made the show’s characters multi-dimensional and downright entertaining. They were characters you wanted to watch, wanted to see in their greatest moments and darkest defeats. Mike & Molly delivered so many memorable moments over its much too short six season run. It’s a series that I will definitely miss.

I have been to four tapings of Mike & Molly at Warner Bros. Studios (yes, it is a live audience), and you could tell that this cast loved what they were doing. Two of the four times I had the opportunity to meet the cast and get their autographs. Very nice people. A cast that truly was grateful for fans that enjoyed their work and their love of delivering laughs on a weekly basis.

When I heard the series was being cancelled and that the final season would be cut down to only 13 episodes, I was a bit surprised. It’s a solid Chuck Lorre series, the man who brought us Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, and Mom, had yet another feather in his cap with Mike & Molly. It had even earned star Melissa McCarthy an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

Then, of course the rumors as to why it was cancelled began to circulate, but all of them seemed like merely rumors and not the real reason why the show had ended so soon. Even so, I am glad that the series did get a legitimate finale and wasn’t just cancelled out of the blue with no closure for the storyline and its characters.

Mike & Molly mixed edgy, broad comedy with heartwarming moments from flawed, outspoken characters. It was unapologetic in its approach to getting laughs, much like Two and a Half Men. But while Two and a Half Men was joke-joke-joke, Mike & Molly had the ability to balance the joke-joke-joke formula with many touching and even tear-inducing moments over the course of its run. I think it’s what made it easier to connect with them: they weren’t just joke machines; they came across as real people in a lot of ways.

Watching such a talented cast bring 110% to each episode was always a treat. Melissa McCarthy and Billy Gardell brought us Molly Flynn and Mike Biggs, two strangers who met at an Overeaters’ Anonymous Meeting. Their story grew from first date, to moving in together, to engagement, to marriage, to trying to have a baby, to changing careers, to deciding to adopt all in six short seasons.

Along for the ride were Mike’s best friend Carl (Reno Wilson); Molly’s mom and sister, Joyce and Victoria, (Swoosie Kurtz and Katy Mixon); Carl’s eventual roommate, Samuel (Nyambi Nyambi); Joyce’s husband, Vince (Louis Mustillo); Mike’s mom, Peggy (Rondi Reed); and Carl’s Grandma (Cleo King). And, of course, we can’t forget Peggy’s dog, Jim (Suzie Q).

When you have a supporting cast like these performers, it’s no wonder the series had as many laughs as it did. All of them were spot-on with their characters, never missing a beat, always on their game and ready to play comedy hardball. I feel the sign of a great cast is when you can mix random characters together and the comedy still plays. The Mike & Molly cast is one of these ensembles. You can have any character paired with any other character and there will be guaranteed laughs.

I would like to add a note about Melissa McCarthy. She is amazing as a sitcom actor. It’s definitely a medium she is comfortable in and I would love to see her back doing it again. Her ability to not only deliver great comedic lines but also her penchant for physical comedy and her no-fear attitude put her in the same category of Lucille Ball (I Love Lucy, The Lucy Show, Here’s Lucy) and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Seinfeld, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Veep) in my book of great sitcom comediennes.

So, what did I think of the final season? I loved it. It was WAY too short, but I loved every minute of it. I guess it’s better for the series to end on a high note than to end and people ask “Was that still on?” I have to admit I did shed a tear during the final moments of the finale.

Yeah, it’s silly, but I did meet the cast and could tell how much they loved working together. Just like any job, it can be hard to find a group that you have a real chemistry with. I feel like this cast had that. No drama. No tabloid lunacy. Just a true passion and love for their work.

The only special feature is the Gag Reel, which is hilarious as always.

I highly, highly, highly recommend Mike & Molly: The Sixth & Final Season on DVD. Oh, and if you really love the show and don’t have any seasons, Mike & Molly: The Complete Series comes out the same day.

I love it, I’ll miss it, but it’s on DVD forever so at least it’s not gone forever!

Thank you, Mike & Molly cast and crew for six great seasons of laughs!

Mike & Molly: The Sixth & Final Season and Mike & Molly: The Complete Series are available Tuesday, October 11, 2016 on DVD!

What was your favorite season, scene, moment, character of the series? Leave a comment and let us know!

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Ninth Season – Blu-ray Review

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided me with a free copy of the Blu-ray I reviewed in this Blog Post. The opinions I share are my own.

The-Big-Bang-Theory-Season-9-Bluray

It’s hard to believe that The Big Bang Theory is about to enter its tenth season on TV. I still remember going to Warner Bros. Studios one hot L.A. afternoon nearly a decade ago to watch a taping of the second episode of the series, “The Big Bran Hypothesis.” Little did I know, nor did the half-full audience, that this series about a group of intelligent socially awkward nerds would explode into an international comedy hit.

Now, it’s nearly impossible to get into a taping due to the show’s legions of loyal fans who patiently wait in line to see their favorite TV scientists perform live.

As season ten commences, it’s time to re-watch and enjoy the ninth season that brought some very unexpected and exciting changes to the lives of Leonard (Johnny Galecki), Penny (Kaley Cuoco), Sheldon (Jim Parsons), Amy (Mayim Bialik), Howard (Simon Helberg), Bernadette (Melissa Rauch), and Raj (Kunal Nayyar). And of course, with big changes come big laughs!

When you look back at the first season to where the series and its characters are now, it’s amazing to think that things have developed and changed so much over the years. Who ever thought that Penny and Leonard would get married? Who ever thought Howard would find true love? And who ever in a million years could fathom that there was woman out there who was willing to love and tolerate Dr. Sheldon Cooper?

And yet, here we are with so many changes, so many classic comedy moments, and even a milestone or two. Season nine brings us the 200th episode of the series – “The Celebration Experimentation” – featuring special guest star Adam West! Along with West, look for great moments from Bob Newhart, Judd Hirsch, Wil Wheaton, Christine Baranski, and Laurie Metcalf.

The Big Bang Theory has resonated with audiences worldwide and will continue to live on forever in syndication long after the series ends its initial run. Series creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady have done an excellent job keeping the series fresh and funny after almost a decade of episodes, which makes it pretty clear why Lorre continues to be the king of the sitcom hill.

The Blu-ray of The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Ninth Season includes the following special features:

#JustAskBBT: Who Will Get the Couch…/If I Had to Go to Mars…

Two segments with the cast answering fan questions from Twitter.

The Big Bang Theory 2015 Comic-Con Panel

The Big Bang Theory Gives Back

Did you know there’s a “Big Bang Theory S.T.E.M. Scholarship”? This featurette talks about the program and celebrates its recipients.

Love Is Rocket Science

The cast reflects on their characters’ romantic relationships throughout the course of the series.

The Big 200!

The cast and creative team celebrate the 200th episode and reflect on how far the series has come since the pilot.

Gag Reel

Funny stuff as always!

The Big Bang Theory always puts a smile on my face, and whether it’s season one or this latest season, there’s always something that makes me laugh out loud. I highly, highly recommend The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Ninth Season!

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Ninth Season is available September 13, 2016 on Blu-ray and DVD!

What is your favorite moment from the series? Leave a comment and let us know!

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Eighth Season – Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Eighth Season

A lot has changed on The Big Bang Theory in the past eight seasons. Continue reading “The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Eighth Season – Blu-ray Review”

Mike & Molly: The Complete Fifth Season – DVD Review

Mike & Molly: The Complete Fifth Season

I had the pleasure of meeting the cast of Mike & Molly after attending the tapings of the season premieres of seasons three and four. Continue reading “Mike & Molly: The Complete Fifth Season – DVD Review”

Mike & Molly: The Complete First Season – Blu-ray Review

Now this is one funny sitcom! Continue reading “Mike & Molly: The Complete First Season – Blu-ray Review”

Two and a Half Men: The Complete Eighth Season – DVD Review

Here they are. The final 16 episodes of Two and a Half Men featuring Charlie Sheen as Charlie Harper. Continue reading “Two and a Half Men: The Complete Eighth Season – DVD Review”