Chuck Lorre, the undisputed “King of Sitcoms,” is back with a new Netflix series, Leanne, but it’s stirring up a surprising divide. Premiering on July 31, 2025, the multicamera comedy has earned Lorre’s lowest Rotten Tomatoes critic score since 2021’s United States of Al, clocking in at 82%—a “fresh” rating but a step down from his usual hits like The Big Bang Theory and Mom. Yet, fans are showering it with love, granting a perfect 100% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, hailing it as “TV comfort food at its best.” Co-created with rising Southern comedian Leanne Morgan in her first starring role, Leanne tackles divorce, reinvention, and late-in-life sass with a Tennessee twang. So why the critic-fan split? The answer might surprise you.
Leanne stars Morgan as Leanne Murphy, a 50-something grandmother whose life unravels when her husband of 33 years, Bill (Ryan Stiles), leaves her for a younger woman. Set in Knoxville, Tennessee, the 16-episode series follows Leanne as she navigates single motherhood, dating in menopause, and family chaos with humor and heart. Morgan, whose 2023 Netflix special I’m Every Woman drew 11 million views, brings her Southern charm to the role, joined by a stellar cast including Kristen Johnston as her twice-divorced sister Carol, Celia Weston and Blake Clark as her quirky parents, and Graham Rogers and Hannah Pilkes as her adult children. Tim Daly’s recurring role as a charming FBI agent adds a spark to Leanne’s journey of rediscovery.
Critics have been mixed, with some praising Morgan’s authentic voice while others call the show formulaic. The Guardian’s review dubbed the first episode “really bad,” criticizing its lack of fresh jokes and reliance on sitcom tropes, though it noted improvement as the season progresses. The Los Angeles Times called it “conventional but good company,” crediting Morgan’s relatable persona for carrying the show despite clunky writing. The 82% critic score, while respectable, marks Lorre’s lowest since United States of Al’s 31% in 2021, a contrast to The Kominsky Method’s 93% or Mom’s 86%. Some critics argue Leanne leans too heavily on recycled stand-up bits from Morgan’s special, with jokes about hot flashes and pelvic exercises feeling dated to younger viewers.
Fans, however, are eating it up. The 100% audience score, based on over 100 ratings, reflects a love for Morgan’s down-home humor and the show’s warm, nostalgic vibe. On X, viewers compare Leanne to Everybody Loves Raymond, with one fan posting, “Leanne is a hoot! The cast gels by episode two, and it’s the funniest comfort watch since Reba.” Another wrote, “Critics are wrong—this is Southern sass done right!” The show’s No. 2 spot on Netflix’s Top 10 list in its first week, with 7.2 million views, underscores its popularity. Fans on Reddit’s r/sitcoms praise its heartfelt take on reinvention, with one user noting, “Leanne’s story of starting over at 59 gives me hope. It’s real and funny.”
Lorre, known for hits like Two and a Half Men and Dharma & Greg, discovered Morgan through her Netflix special and flew to Knoxville to meet her family, inspired by her “original voice.” Co-created with Susan McMartin (Mom), Leanne taps into universal themes of resilience and family, with Morgan’s non-autobiographical divorce storyline allowing creative freedom. “It’s not my life, but I relate to the chaos of starting over,” Morgan told Tudum, emphasizing her dream of starring in a sitcom since childhood. Netflix’s bold 16-episode order, a rarity for a new comedy, signals confidence in Lorre’s track record and Morgan’s appeal.
The critic-fan divide may stem from expectations. Lorre’s shift to multicam after single-camera successes like The Kominsky Method feels like a return to his roots, but some critics see it as a step backward in a TV landscape favoring edgier comedies. Fans, however, embrace the familiar format, finding comfort in its predictability and Morgan’s infectious energy. As one X user put it, “Leanne is like sitting in your mama’s kitchen with a Jell-O salad—pure joy.” With no word yet on a Season 2 renewal, Leanne’s future hinges on its fanbase, but its early success suggests it’s a sleeper hit. For now, it’s a must-watch for anyone craving a hearty dose of Southern charm and second chances.
