By Jeanni Ritchie
Chuck Lorre has done it again! The creator of Grace Under Fire took Brett Butler from stand-up to sitcom for five seasons and is now hoping to strike gold again with comedian Leanne Morgan in Netflix’s Leanne.
Lorre and Leanne are a match made in TV heaven….
Chuck Lorre, producer and writer, has an impressive resume of hits he has helmed: The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, Mom, Cybill, Two and a Half Men, Dharma and Greg, and more … including the too-short-lived United States of Al.
Leanne Morgan (born October 3, 1965) is an American comedian, actress, and author. Her 2023 Netflix comedy special, Leanne Morgan: I’m Every Woman, was in the top ten comedy specials on the streaming platform. She is the writer, executive producer, co-creator, and starring actress in Leanne.
While the pilot seemed to struggle to find its footing a little, I stuck with it … and am so glad I did. The characters are multi-faceted, the earmark of a long-running series.
Third Rock From the Sun’s Kristen Johnson provides comic relief as the black sheep of the family and Leanne’s sister Carol. Celia Weston (How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days) and Blake Clark (50 First Dates) play their parents. Ryan Stiles, the comedic genius of Whose Line Is It Anyway, plays Leanne’s soon to be ex-husband Bill. Jayma Mays (Glee) rounds out the cast as pious neighbor Mary.
Leanne gets better and better with each episode and I’m fully invested in each character. As of this writing, there is no word on a renewal or cancellation but the ratings all but guarantee another season.
Check out Leanne on Netflix!
Jeanni Ritchie is a sitcom-loving contributing journalist who has envisioned being a Brady, a Cleaver, a Partridge, and a Friend sitting on the couch in Central Perk.
