Anna Faris (Christy Plunkett)
Reality: Main Cast: Seasons 1-3
My Opinion: Main Cast: Seasons 1-3
This is an obvious one. Christy is the protagonist of the series, and has been in every one of the forty-four episodes that have aired. I have absolutely no objection to Anna Faris being part of the main cast.
Allison Janney (Bonnie Plunkett)
Reality: Main Cast: Seasons 1-3
My Opinion: Main Cast: Seasons 1-3
This one is very similar to the last one. Bonnie seemed to be sort of an antagonist at the beginning of the series, but at this point she is more of a co-protagonist with Christy. I have no objection to Allison Janney being part of the main cast, and I actually think that she should be in the lead actress category, not the supporting actress category, for awards.
Sadie Calvano (Violet Plunkett)
Reality: Main Cast: Seasons 1-3
My Opinion: Main Cast: Seasons 1-3
Violet appeared in every episode of Mom's first season, as her pregnancy storyline was a very important one then. In the second season, she appeared in only seventeen of the twenty-two episodes, with the only real storylines for her being her relationships, though, obviously, the entire family was part of the major storyline that began the season. Her character got less important as the season went on, and, depending on what the writers have planned for season three, it may be best for Sadie Calvano to be demoted to the recurring cast. However, I think that Violet should have a storyline this season, and therefore should be a part of the main cast.
Blake Garrett Rosenthal (Roscoe)
Reality: Main Cast: Seasons 1-3
My Opinion: Main Cast: Seasons 1-3
Roscoe appeared in twenty of the twenty-two episodes in season one, which is fairly expected of a younger actor, and in seventeen episodes in the second season, the same as his on-screen sister. In the first forty-three episodes of Mom, nothing major really happened with Roscoe, he was just there. But it was important that he appeared, because he is part of Christy's family. In the second season finale, Roscoe actually became important to the plot when he decided to live with his father. It looks like Roscoe will continue to be important in season three, so Blake Garrett Rosenthal should definitely remain in the main cast.
French Stewart (Chef Rudy)
Reality: Main Cast: Seasons 1-3
My Opinion: Recurring Cast: Seasons 1-3
Chef Rudy appeared in fifteen episodes in season one and in seven episodes in season two. While fifteen episodes is an amount that would be fine for a main cast member, he was in no way a part of any major storylines of the season. He appeared very infrequently in season two, and will likely appear just as often in season three. I think that French Stewart should not be part of the main cast.
Matt L. Jones (Baxter)
Reality: Main Cast: Seasons 1-3
My Opinion: Recurring Cast: Seasons 1-3
Baxter has been in surprisingly few episodes of Mom. He was in only ten episodes in season one, and nine episodes in season two. While Baxter has been somewhat important to the overall plot of Mom, he has been in less than half of the show's episodes. I don't think that Matt L. Jones should have been a part of the main cast in seasons one or two, and, unless he appears in more episodes and plays a major part in the season's story, he should not be a part of the main cast in season three.
Nate Corddry (Gabriel)
Reality: Main Cast: Seasons 1-2
My Opinion: Main Cast: Season 1, Recurring Cast: Season 2
Gabriel was frequently in Mom back in season one, appearing in sixteen episodes. In season two, however, he was only in six episodes. It's debatable whether or not he should have been in the main cast in season one, but I think that he was important enough to the plot at the beginning to be included in the main cast. In season two, however, he was not very important and appeared in, as I said, only six episodes. He was dropped from the main cast following season two, and I doubt that he will appear in more than a couple of episodes in the remaining seasons of Mom. It made sense for Nate Corddry to be a part of the main cast in season one, but not in season two.
Spencer Daniels (Luke)
Reality: Main Cast: Seasons 1-2
My Opinion: Main Cast: Season 1, Recurring Cast: Season 2
Luke was in eighteen episodes in the first season of Mom, but now it feels like we haven't seen him in a while. That's because we haven't, he hasn't been in an episode since last December, appearing in only two episodes last season. Why he was kept around as a main cast member, I don't know. Maybe the writers planned a storyline for him and Violet that they later changed their minds on. Since he was in most of the first season and played an important part in that season, Spencer Daniels should have been in the main cast in season one, but definitely not in season two. He has now been dropped as a main cast member, and I doubt he will be in any more than one, maybe two, future episodes of Mom.
Mimi Kennedy (Marjorie)
Reality: Recurring Cast: Season 1, Main Cast: Seasons 2-3
My Opinion: Recurring Cast: Season 1, Main Cast: Seasons 2-3
Marjorie appeared on occasion in the first season, acting as a mentor to Christy in the seven episodes that she appeared in. It was a very wise decision to promote her to the main cast in season two, as her relationships with Christy and Bonnie are very important to the show, and as a result she appeared in seventeen of season two's episodes. I expect her to appear in just as many, if not more, episodes in season three. Mimi Kennedy's promotion to the main cast in season two was a wise choice, I do not disagree with those behind Mom here.
Jamie Pressly (Jill)
Reality: Recurring Cast: Season 2, Main Cast: Season 3
My Opinion: Recurring Cast: Season 2, Main Cast: Season 3
Jill was introduced in season two as someone that Christy and Bonnie could help out, and as someone with some of the same problems as them, alcoholism, but also as someone who is very rich, in contrast to the very poor Christy and Bonnie. Her character fit perfectly in the nine episodes she was in, so it makes sense for her to be promoted to the main cast for season three. Jamie Pressly should definitely be a part of the main cast in season three.
Beth Hall (Wendy)
Reality: Recurring Cast: Season 2, Main Cast: Season 3
My Opinion: Recurring Cast: Seasons 2-3
Wendy, or perhaps you may know her better by her nickname, "Weeping Wendy", was introduced as more of a joke than a character that would ever be a part of the main cast. In the six episodes she appeared in last season, she probably did more crying than talking. Beth Hall should stay a part of the show, but not as a member of the main cast.
To recap, here are the actors that were and will be a part of the main cast each season, and the actors who I think should have been and should be a part of the main cast each season.
Season 1:
Reality: Anna Faris, Allison Janney, Sadie Calvano, Blake Garrett Rosenthal, Nate Corddry, Spencer Daniels, French Stewart, Matt L. Jones
My Opinion: Anna Faris, Allison Janney, Sadie Calvano, Blake Garrett Rosenthal, Nate Corddry, Spencer Daniels
Season 2:
Reality: Anna Faris, Allison Janney, Sadie Calvano, Blake Garrett Rosenthal, Nate Corddry, Spencer Daniels, French Stewart, Matt L. Jones, Mimi Kennedy
My Opinion: Anna Faris, Allison Janney, Sadie Calvano, Blake Garrett Rosenthal, Mimi Kennedy
Season 3:
Reality: Anna Faris, Allison Janney, Sadie Calvano, Blake Garrett Rosenthal, French Stewart, Matt L. Jones, Mimi Kennedy, Jamie Pressly, Beth Hall
My Opinion: Anna Faris, Allison Janney, Sadie Calvano, Blake Garrett Rosenthal, Mimi Kennedy, Jamie Pressly
Who do you think should have been in the main cast in seasons one an two? Who do you think should be in the main cast in season three? Leave your thoughts in the comments!