Agreed. While I like Kathy Bates, her character did not seem like a person who would have raised the Amy we know. I liked the first mother. She was mousy and timid and funny.

@wonder2wonder said:

Annie O'Donnel or Kathy Bates?

Although she was only in one episode - on Skype - I prefer Annie O'Donnel.

Kathy Bates (3 episodes) did a great job as Amy's mom, but she has been in so many movies and television shows, that I just couldn't get the image out of my mind that she was one of those other characters she'd played.

Much as I admire Bates (don't think I've ever seen her in anything I didn't like); still, have to go with O'Donnell. Any kid raised by the Bates-character-type would be 'loaded for bear' by the time she left home. She was such a force of nature—that I’m thinking: "Nowitzki" mom-type.

In contrast, you really could imagine Amy and O’Donnell's character, with her not quite sure what’s going on persona, having one of those 1800’s “good-girls-don’t” conversations. And, her calling Amy on rainy days to make sure she takes her umbrella.

Didn't Amy say that she had to watch 60 Minutes or something, through slots in the door of the closet where her mom put her for punishment?

Or maybe she was just channeling "Carrie" in that episode.

Amy's mother:

• Annie O'Donnel.

• Kathy Bates.

Annie O Dowel for all the reasons above. Kathy is too well known and her character was too obnoxious like Meemaw.

Just ran across the tidbit that O'Donnell also voiced Dr. Lorvis’s mom in the episode “The Misinterpretation Agitation” (S8E7).

Maybe I didn’t notice because when it came to Dr. Lorvis's situation, all I could think about was: "There but for Bernie, go Howard".

@FormerlyKnownAs said:

Just ran across the tidbit that O'Donnell also voiced Dr. Lorvis’s mom in the episode “The Misinterpretation Agitation” (S8E7).

Maybe I didn’t notice because when it came to Dr. Lorvis's situation, all I could think about was: "There but for the presence of Bernie, go Howard".

Well, maybe only if the lack of Bernadette means that Howard's mother doesn't die.

Otherwise, Howard becomes Norman Bates.

@Knixon said:

@FormerlyKnownAs said:

Just ran across the tidbit that O'Donnell also voiced Dr. Lorvis’s mom in the episode “The Misinterpretation Agitation” (S8E7).

Maybe I didn’t notice because when it came to Dr. Lorvis's situation, all I could think about was: "There but for the presence of Bernie, go Howard".

Well, maybe only if the lack of Bernadette means that Howard's mother doesn't die.

Otherwise, Howard becomes Norman Bates.

"You're a good boy, Howard."