'Mom' says goodbye with a finale that's as much about beginnings By Brian Lowry, CNN enablePagination: false endIndex: (CNN) — The "Mom" finale was as much about beginnings as endings, as the CBS sitcom about sobriety settled for a low-key finish, which included a wedding but not the return of one of its original stars. Anna Faris left the show before the season began, citing a desire to "pursue new opportunities." That left Allison Janney -- the "Mom" of the title in connection with her -- to carry on with the able supporting cast. Those expecting Faris' Christy to drop in to say goodbye, however, settled for a reference to the character, while Janney's Bonnie offered a final sendoff at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, saying that while she was once a mess, "Now, I kinda like me."