“This Is Us” made a “Mike and Molly” joke about Kate and Toby, and fans are pretty divided over it
Remember back to the years 2010 to 2016, when CBS had a sitcom called Mike and Molly? You probably remember it, because it starred Melissa McCarthy and actually happened during Melissa McCarthy’s post-Bridesmaid heyday. Also, Melissa McCarthy won an Emmy for her role in the show. So that’s your quick Mike and Molly refresher, because This Is Us just made a Mike and Molly joke, and it might have you wondering if you should activate a CBS All Access account so you can binge Mike and Molly yourself.
Or you might be shaking your head because the Mike and Molly joke on This Is Us is a little…well, odd.
As you know, Kate Pearson (played by Chrissy Metz) has been struggling with her weight since the very first episode of This Is Us. Many early episodes of the show focused on Kate desperately trying to lose weight and create a better lifestyle for herself. In the midst of that, her (now) fiancé, Toby (played by Chris Sullivan) came into the picture — and Toby is also struggling with his own weight issues. Many, many storylines on the show have revolved around their journey to reshape their bodies and also accept themselves for who they are.
So just how exactly does Mike and Molly come into this? Well, during the latest episode of This Is Us, Kate’s new BFF, Madison, makes an offhand comment that Kate and Toby are so “Mike and Molly.” Madison could have easily said that Kate and Toby are so “Ross and Rachel” or “Jim and Pam.” Instead, she went for “Mike and Molly,” two sitcom characters who were not size twos, but rather full-figured.
(And TBH, I have never seen an episode of Mike and Molly in my life, so I don’t know if the two characters ever struggled with body issues. I’m going to say yes, because everyone on the planet has struggled with body issues in one way or another. Okay I just Googled it, and I learned that Mike and Molly actually met at Overeaters Anonymous, so the answer is yes.)
The joke on This Is Us is meant to be a joke, and many took it as a joke. But others were quick to point out that while it was meant in a lighthearted way, it might come across as saying that full-figured couples can only be compared to other full-figured couples.
Those who laughed:
#ThisIsUs you are so Mike and Molly…😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣
— CHRISTOPHER Tyson (@Off_ChrisTyson) February 28, 2018
Yes…Toby and Kate are Mike and Molly. #VegasBaby #ThisIsUs
— Monica Carmichael (@MonicaCarmicha3) February 28, 2018
Madison calling Toby and Kate “Mike and Molly” might be the first time I’ve ever cackled watching #ThisIsUs pic.twitter.com/9SyR7NZT7e
— Andrew Hammond (@NotAshleyHannon) February 28, 2018
Mike and Molly had me dying though 😂😭 #ThisIsUs
— Wrong Answer, Fo'head (@Intellectu_Al) February 28, 2018
You guys are so mike and molly i can't stand it hahaha #ThisIsUs pic.twitter.com/Crq62w4Dba
— Tom Gaska Jr (@TomGaska90) February 28, 2018
Those who did not:
Did she just say so “Mike and Molly”… #ThisIsUs pic.twitter.com/0XsyaKZZYj
— 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐞 (@the_qep) February 28, 2018
Did Madison call them Mike and Molly? Biiiiiitch!! #ThisIsUs
— Eve Vaughn (@Eve_Vaughn) February 28, 2018
Calling them Mike and Molly is a microaggression! #thisisus
— Talia (@taliacadet) February 28, 2018
Mike and Molly? Really? Because they can only be like other fat couples get it? #ThisIsUs
— drunk-ass sea-wench🪩✨ (@battymamzelle) February 28, 2018
Omg she called them mike and Molly, that’s so disrespectful 😩 #thisisus
— NeaBo0 💜 (@NEArlyiLLEGAL) February 28, 2018
Funny, not funny, one thing is clear — Madison might not be the best person to binge-watch a TV show with.