Worst TV Moms Ever
You think your mom drives you crazy? Well, we're guessing she's got nothing compared to some of TV's most notorious mothers, who've taken nagging, neglect, abuse and even attempted murder of their offspring to breathtaking heights ... often, of course, to comic effect.
Take a look at TV's worst fictional moms -- and then call your own mom, out of gratitude.
Everett Collection (2) / CBS / ABC
Bree Van de Camp-Hodge
Show: 'Desperate Housewives'
Played by: Marcia Cross
Why She's Bad: The seemingly straitlaced homemaker has played a hand in killing her first husband and a fiancé, abandoned her gay son on the side of the road and sent her pregnant daughter to a nunnery, then took the baby. Her cold-hard stare and razor-sharp tongue are only matched by her mouthwatering meals and muffin baskets.
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ABC
Colleen Donaghy
Show: '30 Rock'
Played by: Elaine Stritch
Why She's Bad: High-powered executive Jack Donaghy is reduced to a bundle of nerves and insecurities at the mere mention of his mother's name. Mrs. Donaghy is overly critical of her son, cutting him down every chance she gets -- which explains why he "accidentally" ran her over with his car.
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NBC
Evelyn Harper
Show: 'Two and a Half Men'
Played by: Holland Taylor
Why She's Bad: Both her sons, Alan and Charlie, are emotionally stunted and relationship challenged, thanks in large part to their mother's sexual openness and tough love approach to parenting. And by "tough love," we mean her continuous denial of their existence. Hence, the meaning behind their nickname for her: the devil.
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CBS
Ellis Grey
Show: 'Grey's Anatomy'
Played by: Kate Burton
Why She's Bad: An extraordinary surgeon, Ellis Grey had the respect of her peers in the medical community. But to her daughter Meredith, Ellis was a mom who neglected her emotionally, drove her father away with a long-term affair, tried to commit suicide in front of her, and dismissed her as merely "ordinary." No wonder Meredith turned out all dark and twisty.
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ABC
Julie Cooper Nichol
Show: 'The O.C.'
Played by: Melinda Clarke
Why She's Bad: Julie Cooper pulled herself together by the series finale. But the road to recovery was a rocky one for the gold-digging 'OC' cougar. Among her missteps: turning NewMatch into a prostitution ring, a disastrous marriage to Caleb that left her penniless in a trailer park and a brief affair with daughter Marissa's ex -- and underaged -- boyfriend, Luke.
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Fox
Lucille Bluth
Show: 'Arrested Development'
Played by: Jessica Walter
Why She's Bad: This booze-addicted matriarch coddled one son (Buster), "never cared for" another (Gob), waged wars against the only responsible one (Michael) and belittled her only daughter (Lindsay). To top it all off, Lucille was also revealed to be the one behind the Bluth Company scandal that brought the family all of its problems. OK, most of its problems..
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Fox
Livia Soprano
Show: 'The Sopranos'
Played by: Nancy Marchand
Why She's Bad: Mob boss Tony Soprano was a pussycat compared to his mother, a manipulative, miserable woman who showed little affection for her children, and in fact once tried to have Tony whacked. Well, at least we know where Tony got it from.
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HBO
Marie Romano
Show: 'Everybody Loves Raymond'
Played by: Doris Roberts
Why She's Bad: Marie played the guilt card like a Vegas pro -- she used it to get her favorite son, Raymond, to invite her into his family life more than she already was, and to get her younger son, Robert, to always go above and beyond to earn her love and approval. Here's news for you, Robert: It ain't never gonna happen.
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CBS
Estelle Costanza
Show: 'Seinfeld'
Played by: Estelle Harris
Why She's Bad:: George's shrill, nagging mother spent most of her time screaming at her son and husband Frank for doing something "stupid." Overbearing and obnoxious, Mrs. Costanza was often blamed for the fact that George was a neurotic mess with women issues. Still, he couldn't seem to stay away from her.
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Steve Granitz, WireImage.com
Plus: Check out worst reality TV mothers.
Reader Comments (23)
DSJ at 4:26PM on May 5th 2009
What about Mrs. petrella from Heroes? not a lot of Hallmark moments in that family. or Lwaxana Troi from Star Trek TNG. She's always meddling and she's a Betazoid cougar with designs on Jean-Luc Picard.
ribdual at 8:27PM on May 4th 2009
Stupid AOL crap. try and get to most of the featured stories and it just takes you around in circles!! You never get to the story
Diana at 9:49PM on May 4th 2009
this is stupid about the moms' . i got two right and they said i had only one right. i think they have a conspiracy against me...
janicefenton at 10:21PM on May 4th 2009
What happened to Rosanne Barr?
Cat at 7:47AM on May 5th 2009
Kate Gosselin is the worst Mom on TV now. She says she is SAHM but never home because she has been on a book tour for months.. The kids dad isout parting so who is watching the kids.. Poor kids
hans0321 at 11:20PM on May 4th 2009
Where's the damn article, idiots?
r_chiang_ at 3:38PM on May 10th 2009
They forgot about the mom on "Malcom and the Middle". And if this included cartoon moms- Lois from Family Guy- amonst other things she encouraged her daughter to commit suicide and handed her a bottle of sleeping pills. If annoying TV moms were candidates- I'd vote for Marge Simpson.
Linda at 5:53AM on May 5th 2009
My opinion: The worst Mom on t.v. is Amy Roloff. The house is nasty and she ridicules and belittles Matt whenever she can. She stubs around with a smirk on her face and refuses to support his efforts at improving their life. In the episode where he brought in organizers, she was furious at the thought of cleaning and throwing away old clothes and items. She acts nutty.
Lakes at 7:08AM on May 5th 2009
I agree its the damn pits, I to find half the time the articles lead nowhere. But guess unskilled workers the reason. lol You know I like Roseanne. I think she is basically your typical Mom. Honestly has she had any problems that 90% of every household don't have? Think about it. She takes everything in stride, and spite what you think she really cares about her kids. And did any of them turn out bad, no they seem to be headed on the right path. And Dan is a great dad and perfect to play her husband. With raiseing kids today you got to have their sense of humor and with the humor the kids will grow up better ajusted. Love you Roseanne. And about the singing the National Anthem at the game they hired a comedian what they expect the fools Povorochi.
Bruce Perkins at 8:03AM on May 5th 2009
Any mom who smokes is the worst mom ever.