Honestly, if you close your eyes and think about 90s television, one specific image probably hits you like a neon-blue freight train. It’s that eyeshadow. You know the one—electric, unapologetic, and stretched nearly to the hairline. Looking back at mimi from drew carey show pics, it’s easy to dismiss Mimi Bobeck as just a walking punchline in a loud muumuu. But there’s a lot more to the woman behind the turquoise mask than most people remember.
Kathy Kinney, the actress who brought Mimi to life, didn't actually set out to become a permanent fixture of the Winfred-Louder department store. In fact, her character was supposed to be a "one-shot deal." She showed up in the pilot, got rejected for a job because her makeup was "disturbing," and was meant to vanish into sitcom history.
But the audience basically lost their minds. They loved her. So, the writers did what any smart TV crew does: they kept her. They hired her as a secretary just to keep her from suing the company.
The Secret Origins of the Blue Eyeshadow
Most fans looking for mimi from drew carey show pics are searching for that specific, garish aesthetic. It wasn't just random glitter. Kinney actually drew inspiration from her real life. Back in 1976, she worked as a secretary for WCBS-TV in New York. Her boss was a hunter, and she used to joke with him by asking, "So, did you kill anything this week?"
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That sharp, slightly aggressive edge? That was the birth of Mimi.
The makeup itself was a technical feat. It wasn't just a quick swipe of color. It was layers of structural pigment designed to look "bad" but stay perfectly in place under hot studio lights for 14-hour shoot days. While critics at the time sometimes grumbled that Mimi was a "waddling fat joke," Kinney never saw it that way. She famously argued that Mimi’s weight was rarely the point of the joke. Mimi had an ego the size of Cleveland. She thought she was the most beautiful woman in the room, and she treated everyone else—especially Drew—like they were the ones who hadn't figured out how to dress.
Why the Mimi and Drew Rivalry Still Matters
The prank wars were legendary. We're talking about a level of workplace toxicity that would get anyone fired in 2026, but in the 90s, it was comedic gold.
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- The Desk Incident: Mimi once covered Drew’s entire workspace in actual garbage.
- The China Trip: She literally sent Drew to China while he was unconscious.
- The Glue: She glued his hand to a... let's just say "adult" magazine.
But here’s the nuance: they eventually became family. When Mimi married Drew’s brother, Steve (played by John Carroll Lynch), the dynamic shifted. Steve was a cross-dresser who was handled with a surprising amount of heart for a 90s sitcom. This turned Drew and Mimi into reluctant in-laws. It forced a weird, begrudging respect between them.
Beyond the Muumuu: What Kathy Kinney Did Next
If you look at recent photos of Kathy Kinney today, you might not even recognize her. The blue shadow is gone. She’s traded the loud prints for a much more "low-key" vibe.
She didn't just retire after the show ended in 2004. She actually pivoted in a direction nobody saw coming. She became "Mrs. P." Through her website, MrsP.com, she portrays an eccentric redhead who reads classic children's stories to kids. It’s wholesome, educational, and a complete 180 from the woman who used to call Drew Carey a "doughboy" every Tuesday night.
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A Few Surprising Facts You Probably Forgot:
- Tammy Faye connection: In a brilliant bit of meta-casting, Mimi’s mother was played by Tammy Faye Bakker, the real-life queen of heavy makeup.
- Musical past: Mimi’s backstory involved her being a roadie for Foghat and claiming she was married to Eddie Money for two weeks.
- The Price Is Right: Kinney has reprised the Mimi character several times for April Fools' Day episodes on The Price Is Right, proving that she and Drew are still tight in real life.
The Legacy of a "Cartoonish" Icon
It’s easy to look at mimi from drew carey show pics and see a relic of a less sensitive time in television. And yeah, some of the jokes haven't aged like fine wine. But Mimi Bobeck was also a character who refused to be small. She was loud, she was colorful, and she occupied space with zero apologies.
In a world of beige "sad-coms" and minimalist aesthetics, there’s something kind of refreshing about a woman who decides that more is more.
If you're looking to revisit the show, it's notoriously hard to find on streaming due to massive music licensing issues (they used a lot of expensive hits). Your best bet is usually physical media or catching the occasional rerun on cable.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out MrsP.com to see Kinney's work in children's literacy; it's a great look at her range.
- Look up the April Fools' clips of Mimi on The Price Is Right (2009-2011) to see the character in high definition.
- If you're struggling with self-confidence, consider Kinney's book, Queen of Your Own Life, which she co-authored to help women embrace their own power—shadow and all.