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Don’t put that old couch in storage just yet: ABC has officially ordered a spinoff of the cancelled Roseanne revival, TVLine has learned — but without any involvement by original star Roseanne Barr.
The spinoff — tentatively titled The Conners — has received a 10-episode straight-to-series order, and is set to premiere this fall in Roseanne‘s former Tuesdays-at-8/7c timeslot. (No premiere date has been announced.) The show will not include Barr, whose racist tweet led to last month’s stunning cancellation. But the rest of the Roseanne cast will return, including Sara Gilbert (as Darlene), John Goodman (Dan), Laurie Metcalf (Jackie), Lecy Goranson (Becky) and Michael Fishman (DJ). Executive producer Tom Werner and showrunner Bruce Helford will return as well.
VIDEOS Sara Gilbert Addresses Roseanne Cancellation on The Talk: ‘I Stand Behind the Decision ABC Made’
“Roseanne Barr will have no financial or creative involvement in the new series,” ABC made clear in a statement. An additional statement from Werner says he and Barr reached an agreement that allows Werner to produce a spinoff without Barr’s participation. Barr herself added: “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.”
No word yet on how The Conners will address mom Roseanne Conner’s conspicuous absence, but the series description seems to imply that the character might be killed off: “After a sudden turn of events, the Conners are forced to face the daily struggles of life in Lanford in a way they never have before. This iconic family — Dan, Jackie, Darlene, Becky and D.J. — grapples with parenthood, dating, an unexpected pregnancy, financial pressures, aging and in-laws in working-class America. Through it all, the fights, the coupon cutting, the hand-me-downs, the breakdowns – with love, humor and perseverance, the family prevails.”
The Conners cast released a joint statement as well: “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.”
To recap: Roseanne returned to ABC this spring with big ratings, and was renewed for an 11th season, but got the axe after Barr tweeted a racist “joke” about Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett. Days after the cancellation, ABC began discussions about finding a way to salvage the show via a spinoff. (Gilbert came out publicly against Barr’s remark, calling it “disappointing, to say the least.”)
no thanks
What about the actors that plays Darlene’s kids on the show?
I don’t know about the younger one, but Emma *Harris* just went back to filming the new season of Shameless. I have a feeling that this will be at midseason though, so it shouldn’t be a big issue with her availability.
It says in the article it is set to premiere this fall.
In the headline, even.
That’s what I get for super speed reading.
I doubt that matters. She was already contracted to return to Shameless right now, so whatever her plan was for the next season of Roseanne can still be the plan for this. But I’m sure she’ll need a new contract which is why it’s not announced yet.
I think this is a great decision. Roseanne made her bed, and now nobody else has to go down with her. Plus we get to keep watching the show that, for me at least, was an excellent ensemble and shouldn’t miss the “lead” character at all.
Yay!!! So happy.
Wait, 10 episodes? I thought 13 were ordered?
Of Roseanne. This is something different, to replace it. –Mgmt.
Well, that’s dumb. I doubt it’ll do bad in the ratings.
Did the the common option for a network to add more episodes to a f it does well enough, cease to exist? If not, then what’s so dumb about making a smaller commitment, knowing that they can increase it?
Exactly!
Is it Matt? Or is it a “S**t…we have to pay all of these folks, so we might as well take advantage of Roseanne while she’s contrite, get her out, and at least uphold our end of the contracts we just re-signed” show. If they renewed, they re-signed, so availability should already have been worked out. :)
–
I still call this the “Whoops…I forgot how all of this really worked when I impulsively publicly fired someone” situation. ;)
the big stars were getting paid for 10 no matter what as part of the demise of Rosanne, probably that plus with the delay it wont be ready till late fall would guess oct. so they can get in a few episodes before the Halloween episode
I’m sure I read somewhere that the production company had to pay John, Laurie and Sara for 10 episodes even after it was cancelled so I imagine that’s why it’s coming back for only 10 at this stage. If it does well, I’m sure they’ll increase it to 13.
Didn’t watch the first or second editions of Roseanne, because of Roseanne. I like the rest of the cast, so I’ll likely sample this new show. And I’m still hoping for news on the potential Sue-centered The Middle spinoff.
Yes!! Any news on that?
I watched it all those years ago (not to age myself lol) until RB’s first public bad behavior. Given her now long-established reputation, I’ll watch this spin-off just because she’s gone. :-)
Me too… I love the middle and I am so excited for that show….. I will be pissed if this show killed talk of middle
I’m with you ;) Really looking forward to seeing what they decide to do with the character.
Yes, The Middle spin-off is the one im dying to hear info on.
I was wondering what this meant for The Middle spin-off too.
doesnt have to b fast tracked now. can premier in spring
Will not be watching!
Will not be missed!
Bye…..
I know I refused to watch because I can’t stand Roseanne, but I’ll be watching now that she’s gone! So, with my add and your loss, it all evens out. No big deal.
You and me both so +1 more. :-)
bye felicia
Sigh Poor ABC desperate to keep a form of the show alive. But I do not think the show will survive
Yay!!
So easy. Have rosanne pass from opioid overdose since that was a problem that was brought up last season. Glad she was a mensch for the sake of the cast and crew. I’m sure she regrets her text ….
There’s no other way to do it, other than having her die in surgery. That is going to be seriously strange. Can Roseanne work without Roseanne? I guess we’ll find out.
Technically it’s not Roseanne without Roseanne, it’s The Conners. I’m more excited about the prospect of the spinoff than I was about the reboot, only because I think the death of Roseanne Conner will make for fantastic content and character work by the rest of the actors.
Awesome. Now I can watch John Goodman and Laurie Metcalf do their thing without me feeling guilty for supporting Roseanne.
I’ve always watched for Darlene and Dan. I really liked Jackie in the first season or two but they made her too shrill, to neurotic, and just plain stupid. If she’s going to be the “matriarch” of the family, give her the brain and personality she had in the early seasons.
Love love love this! Of course they’re killing her off – it’s the only way
You mean kill her off like they did John? Lols
This show is dead..let’s move on.
This show is dead…let’s move on.
Will not watch!
Nazi sympathizers. No thank you.
Please don’t kill her off ! just give her a year in rehab in the show!
I will miss. U rosie.. I do like the rehab idea.. killing her in surgery is too tragic
I think killing Roseanne off is the only logical choice. Anything else would keep her whereabouts and situation too central. Writers will probably need to let enough time pass before resuming the story for her death not to still be fresh in everybody’s mind and they would have been able to get on with their lives.
I know right it won’t be the same without her everyone makes mistakes we are humans.
Love this show
that is nothing to brag about.
Best case scenario. But now John Goodman will probably have to address his ho-hum comment that he was going to get an Emmy, anyway. Maybe, playing a grieving man who’s lost his wife, he’ll have the material to get at least a nomination.
Ugh. *wasn’t
The Conners with RoseAnne – no way! I think ABC went OB on Roseanne! Get a grip ABC – you show some very controversial television shows in prime time that have no place in children’s television!
Hmm, exactly what shows are you referring to? Also, ABC doesn’t have “children’s television”. If you mean Disney Channel then none of their current shows are controversial.
What are you talking about?
I feel like this won’t do as well. I hope we still get a Sue Heck spin-off. Maybe on Freeform with grownish?
Worst decision ever. Do they really think that the show will match Roseanne’s ratings?
Probably won’t, but even if there’s a dip, it could still perform well. I also know a lot of people who were fans of the original show but refused to watch the revival because of Barr. There are definitely people who would watch The Connors who didn’t watch the revival.
This is exactly what I hoped would happen. Same cast, except no Roseanne. I will tune in to see Dan, Jackie, and the kids coping without her.