After seemingly endless speculation about the future of a ROSEANNE show without star Roseanne Barr, ABC has made it official: a spinoff show currently titled THE CONNERS has received a 10-episode order at the network, with Barr not returning. The show will begin airing this fall in the timeslot held by the original show before its sudden cancellation.
The main cast outside of Barr will be returning for the show, including John Goodman (as Dan), Laurie Metcalf (as Jackie), Sara Gilbert (as Darlene), Lecy Goranson (as Becky) and Michael Fishman (as D.J.). Barr will have no creative or financial attachment to the show and put out a statement saying, “I regret the circumstances that have caused me to be removed from Roseanne. I agreed to the settlement in order that 200 jobs of beloved cast and crew could be saved, and I wish the best for everyone involved.”
ABC also put out a statement about the new show, saying, “The Conners’ stories demonstrate that families can always find common ground through conversation, laughter and love. The spinoff will continue to portray contemporary issues that are as relevant today as they were 30 years ago.”
Goodman, Metcalf and the other returning cast members also put out a joint statement, saying, “We have received a tremendous amount of support from fans of our show, and it’s clear that these characters not only have a place in our hearts but in the hearts and homes of our audience. We all came back last season because we wanted to tell stories about the challenges facing a working-class family today. We are so happy to have the opportunity to return with the cast and crew to continue to share those stories through love and laughter.”
Word is that the returning cast members all signed new one-year contracts to appear on the new show and that the writing-producing team set for the new season of ROSEANNE would be working on THE CONNERS. As well, word from behind the scenes is that the network executives would only move on with a spinoff if Barr had no creative or financial involvement, of which she won’t after a deal was struck. There is no word yet on how the show will address Roseanne's absence, but anyone speculating that it could have something to do with a good-old-fashioned, soap opera coma may not be far off.
The cancellation of the main show came about after Barr posted a racist tweet and received waves of backlash. Although Barr apologized for the tweet, the network was quick to pull the plug on the new season of the show within less than 24 hours.