Mama Tried

In many ways, Nancy Botwin embodies the perfect suburban mom . . . if by “perfect” you mean a mother who’s also knee-deep in the marijuana industry (legal and illegal). As a tribute to moms with a unique twist, CULTURE presents to you our short list of mothers who are all white picket fence on the outside—and completely crazy on the inside.

Beverly Sutphin in Serial Mom

Sort of like the female version of The Stepfather, Kathleen Turner here plays a typical housewife who tends to overact to things. The overreaction typically takes the form of murder. Lots of them. She is eventually tried, dubbed “Serial Mom” and acquitted. Then she kills some more.

Stiffler’s Mom from American Pie

While we all throw the term “MILF” around, this 1999 teen comedy thrust the word (embodied by actress Jennifer Coolidge) into the mass consciousness in a scene that smacked of The Graduate. Only dirtier. And involving a pool table.

Peggy Bundy

That hair. Those heels. Those spandex pants. Sure, we all loved Married With Children, but having a mom who didn’t clean, cook or, really, lift a damn finger for her family was really stretching the word “mom” just a bit, no? Ah, Wanker County, what hast thou wrought?

Kate Gosselin

Yes, it’s horrible when a man cheats on his wife and abandons his children . . . but, come on! Look who Jon was married to. I’m just waiting for the sequel. Jon & Kate Plus Hate, anyone?

Marge Nelson from Mom and Dad Save the World

Sure, other moms can make meatloaf, vacuum the living room and take the kids to soccer practice. But how many can say their mom (and dad) saved the world in this 1992 sci-fi comedy. That “Super Death Ray Laser” won’t be coming ’round here anymore.