Molly is determined to get Mike out of his routine and encourages him to embrace anything they want in life. They try new things together, until reality sets in and it's time to pay the bill.
A confident Molly offers her wisdom to Samuel who now wants to be a standup comic. Meanwhile, Molly's advice to Harry causes him to challenge his protective mother.
Molly meets the best buddy of her dreams when Peggy's childhood friend, Kay McKinnon (guest star KATHY BATES) comes to town, but Peggy is not keen on sharing.
Molly looks to win some extra cash when she and the girls head to a riverboat casino for the weekend. Meanwhile, Mike and Vince try to enjoy some college basketball when the guys come over to watch TV.
On the fourth season finale, Molly gets accepted into an elite eight-week writers' workshop in Iowa, but faces a big decision when Mike asks her not to go.
In the fifth season premiere, Molly (MELISSA McCARTHY) returns home after eight weeks at a writers' workshop with great news: she's getting published and scored a big book advance.
Mike assures Molly he'll be home in time for Christmas Eve dinner...until he and Carl end up in the back of a stolen truck. Meanwhile, Molly is upset with Vince for trying to change the family's Christmas traditions.