CBS sitcom “Mike & Molly” wraps its six-season run Monday night — and series co-star Billy Gardell promises that viewers will “laugh, have some happy tears and be happy with the finale.”
Gardell, 46 — who plays Chicago cop Mike Biggs opposite Melissa McCarthy’s Molly Flynn — says he thinks “Mike & Molly” could have continued for several more seasons, but that he’s eternally grateful about how the show has impacted his life and career.
Here, Gardell shares his thoughts on the show and his co-stars — particularly McCarthy, whose big-screen career (“Bridesmaids,” “Identity Thief,” “St. Vincent”) took off during “Mike & Molly’s” run.
What is the show’s legacy?
It’s right up there with the best of sitcoms. And I’m so glad we made it to that rare fraternity of syndication, which I think we deserved. I believe our work stands … and that “Mike & Molly” is a sitcom that’s timeless, has a little bit of heart and a little bit of funny. Honestly, I think it was cut short — I think the show could have gone another solid two years — but those aren’t decisions I get to make. It changed my life financially, as an actor and as a standup. The gift of “Mike & Molly” was that I went from playing 200-seat rooms to 2,000-seat theaters. I really can’t whine about anything, to be honest.
‘Mike & Molly’ is a sitcom that’s timeless, has a little bit of heart and a little bit of funny.
- Billy Gardell
You’ve talked in the past about retiring after “Mike & Molly.”
You know, it’s funny, that’s one of the most misquoted things that’s ever been written about me. What I said was that I wanted to pull back a little after “Mike & Molly” and take some time off so that I’m able to spend time with my son, since he’s going through the junior high years and I want to be there for him. I found a wonderful new [TV] gig on CMT about the early days of Sun Studios called “Million Dollar Quartet,” which was on Broadway. I’m going to play [Elvis Presley’s manager] Col. Tom Parker, which is a dramatic turn for me. For the record, I would like to retire around [the age of] 60.
Do you have any favorite “Mike & Molly” scenes?
I had so many good [scenes] … I loved the one where I climbed up and got stuck in a window when Mike and Molly were first dating. You don’t often see a 300-pound man hanging outside a window — but it also showed how much heart Mike had. And some of my favorite scenes were in the squad car with [co-star] Reno Wilson, who I love like a brother.
The plotlines seemed to move away from weight issues as the show went along.
We had to address that in the beginning. We were not the normal stereotypes on sitcoms but that’s what the show has always been about — two people who never thought they would fall in love finding love — and if you can’t watch that and enjoy it, you might be dead inside.
Did your relationship with Melissa McCarthy change once her movie career took off?
I think she’s an amazing lady, and I’ll tell you why: When Melissa took off and her star started to light up the sky with movies and Emmys, our cast was happy for her. We rallied for her and provided a safe and grounded place for her to come back to. Therefore, I think we all grew closer. And I will say, to Melissa’s credit — when all of that happened to her — she came into work the same girl as when it started. She did not let it spin off the rails. She handled [her stardom] with grace and our cast handled it with support and I think it made our show even better. As soon as I got the role as Col. Parker on CMT, the first call I received was from Melissa, followed by Reno Wilson. Melissa was like, “This is perfect for you.” We still check on each other, we still talk to each other and we still love each other.
“Mike & Molly” series finale airs at 8 p.m. Monday on CBS