As you’ve no doubt heard by now, the high-rated Roseanne TV show was cancelled by ABC following some disturbing tweets by star Roseanne Barr. While she is no longer welcome at the alphabet network, what about the rest of the Conner clan? Could they return in a spin-off, without Barr?
A family comedy on the ABC television network, Roseanne originally ran for nine seasons, between 1988 and 1997. Original stars Barr, John Goodman, Sara Gilbert, Laurie Metcalf, Michael Fishman, Alicia Goranson, and Sarah Chalke returned, alongside newcomers Emma Kenney, Ames McNamara, and Jayden Rey. Returning guest stars included Johnny Galecki, Sarah Bernhard, Estelle Parsons, James Pickens Jr., Natalie West, and Adilah Barnes. The sitcom centers on working-class couple Roseanne and Dan Conner (Barr and Goodman), their family, and friends.
Deadline reports that executive producers Gilbert and Tom Werner (Carsey-Werner Productions) are planning to meet with executive producer/showrunner Bruce Helford and some of the Roseanne writers in the next few days. The plan is to discuss the possibility of continuing with the show in some form, without Barr. The cast has enjoyed working with one another and they are reportedly open to hearing ideas on how they could continue to do so. ABC is not involved at this point but would likely be pitched on the spin-off if a suitable idea could be found.
The Mindy Project creator Mindy Kaling and Girls creator Lena Dunham both offered to create spin-offs for members of the Conner clan.
https://twitter.com/mindykaling/status/1001689030570971136
I will do the spin off of your show starring Darlene’s cool kids https://t.co/5A2129BTl0
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) May 30, 2018
Coming up with a suitable spin-off idea may be the easiest part of the equation and sources believe it is ultimately unlikely to work out, for a number of reasons. The biggest issue could be Barr herself. Aside from starring in the sitcom, she was an executive producer and is presumed to have a partial ownership of the series. It seems unlikely that she would willingly allow a spin-off to happen.
Interestingly, this is not the first time that a Conner spin-off has been considered. During the final season of the original sitcom’s run, Barr, Carsey-Werner Productions, and ABC were in talks to do a spin-off with Roseanne Conner in a new setting. ABC ultimately passed on the project because the price was too high. CBS and FOX each considered it but then passed on the project. NBC wasn’t interested at all.
What do you think? Would you watch a Roseanne spin-off, without Barr? Would it be a hit?
My husband and I were shocked and saddened that Roseanne Barr’s actions cost so many people their jobs. I would watch it again only if all the other characters stayed the same. We don’t need another show that focuses on teenage kids. We still, however, need the straight talk about real issues from the ‘everyman’ that the show provided. This was never the problem. It was always Ms Barr herself, even before the reboot. Social media gives rise to the best and worst, but her life in Hollywood was always controversial.
Not about Darlene’s kids, but they could kill off Roseanne on the show, and i’d still watch it. I’d watch it even if she were in it, even though i don’t agree with her Tweet.
I’m not sure. . ..they just need to get over their foolishness of cancelling the show and bring it back. Stupid decision.
God, please no! This show is like cockroaches. Impossible to get rid of. I got so excited when I heard it was cancelled, but we got Last Man Standing back. Please….LET THIS SHOW DIE THE DEATH IT DIED BEFORE!
No— Roseanne is the show.
No way -no how. Those “ kids” of Darlene are obnoxious and irritating. I wouldn’t waste my time.@
Absolutely!!
I would definitely watch !! Rosanne Barr has a big mouth – but I LOVE her show. And Rosanne could easily not survive the surgery. The entire remaining cast could hold the show without her. I love every single character – please do the spin-off. GO DAN, DARLENE, JACKIE, BECKY & ALL THE KIDS !!
I would definitely watch !! Rosanne Barr has a big mouth – but I LOVE her show. And Rosanne could easily not survive the surgery. The entire remaining cast could hold the show without her. I love every single character – please do the spin-off. GO DAN, DARLENE, JACKIE, BECKY & ALL THE KIDS !!
No. Just let it die.
I for one will never watch anything written by SJW’s Mindy and Lena.
Yes, put the cast back to work. It wasn’t their fault they became unemployed overnight.
Roseanne could easily not survive the surgery.
Definitely. And the scenario is very plausible. Roseanne was going to get knee surgery anyway. Let’s assume they put her under and she just doesn’t wake up. This happens….
I am thinking the same thing.
Yes I totally would watch it! Please include Darlene, Jackie, and all the other kids. I think that might be the most ideal thing to do
Perhaps a spin off should happen. Would you guys agree?