Annie Potts is a household name for many, thanks to her iconic portrayal of Meemaw on Young Sheldon. Her role as Sheldon Cooper’s tough yet loving grandmother has earned her a place in the hearts of fans across the globe. But what if we tell you that Potts also made a memorable appearance on another beloved sitcom, Two and a Half Men?
Yes, she once guest-starred in Two and a Half Men almost 8 years before Young Sheldon‘s premiere. While she may be best known for her heartwarming turn on Young Sheldon, Potts once slipped into a wild and hilarious role on another Chuck Lorre sitcom, one that many fans have likely forgotten.
Young Sheldon star Annie Potts once guest-starred in Two and a Half Men
In Two and a Half Men season 7, episode 3, titled Mmm, Fish. Yum. Annie Potts plays Lenore, the alcoholic mother of Judith, Alan’s ex-wife. Lenore’s presence in Judith’s life is far from nurturing. When Judith and Herb head out on vacation, they leave their baby, Milly, in Lenore’s care. Alan, of course, isn’t thrilled with the idea of leaving his child with a woman who has a history of heavy drinking.
Alan, ever the anxious father, reluctantly agrees to check in on them, but her behavior quickly becomes problematic. Lenore, who was kicked out of the Betty Ford Clinic due to her drug dependency, insisted she could handle alcohol, but her inappropriate advances towards Alan suggest otherwise. Funny yet oddly enough, she licks his finger and makes s*xual remarks, leaving Alan in an awkward situation.
The chaos doubles up when Lenore bolts from Alan’s car and dances in the middle of the street while Charlie and Jake are unfazed by the scene. Lenore’s wild behavior makes for some of the episode’s most hilarious moments. From her inability to figure out the house alarm to her drunken attempts to show off for Alan, Potts brought her signature comedic style as a grandmother.
Her time in Two and a Half Men may be brief, but Potts made a lasting impression as the unpredictable and often inappropriate mother-in-law.
Annie Potts’ character in Two and a Half Men is the complete opposite of Young Sheldon
Potts’ portrayal of Lenore is a far cry from her role as the warm and supportive Meemaw on Young Sheldon. As Lenore, she’s outrageous, unpredictable, and completely over the top. Her turn in Two and a Half Men might be brief, but it’s a beautiful rendition of Potts’ incredible ability to bring eccentric, larger-than-life characters to life with just a single appearance.
Her performance in this Chuck Lorre show proved Potts’ versatility as an actress. In connection with this, Potts last year expressed surprise and frustration over the cancellation of Young Sheldon after seven seasons. In an April 2024 interview with Variety, Potts said she was caught off guard by CBS’s decision, especially given the show’s success, ranking as the No. 1 show on network TV and Netflix.
She called the cancellation a “stupid business move,” noting it was unexpected and felt like an ambush. Potts, who has experience with series finales from her role in Designing Women, admitted this one was particularly hard to accept.
In the end, for those who remember her antics, Annie Potts’ turn as Lenore will always be a beloved chapter in her illustrious career.
Two and A Half Men is streaming on Peacock.
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