ABC Greenlights Fall 2018 Roseanne Spin-off The Conners! Roseanne Barr Waives Financial & Creative Participation For Cast and Crew!
EW reports:
- Roseanne spin-off officially greenlit by ABC
After weeks of rumors and speculation, ABC finally confirmed what many assumed (or hoped) would happen: Roseanne will go on without Roseanne Barr.
ABC announced Thursday that it will soon begin production on 10 episodes of a revival of the revival called The Conners. Here’s the official logline from the network: “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.”
It’s unclear for now how the absence of the family matriarch will be addressed. But at least it means that all of the key cast members who returned for last season’s revival will participate in the new iteration, including John Goodman (Dan), Laurie Metcalf (Jackie), Sara Gilbert (Darlene), Lecy Goranson (Becky) and Michael Fishman (D.J.).
Of particular note: ABC made sure to address in its announcement that Barr would have no financial or creative involvement in the new series.
Minutes later, Barr released this statement: “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.”
Executive Producer Tom Werner added, “We are grateful to have reached this agreement to keep our team working as we continue to explore stories of the Conner family.”
ABC and the cast released their own comments, too.
“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,” according to ABC.
“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,” added the cast in a “joint” statement. “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.”
