Is 'Roseanne' Really a Pro-Trump Show?
by EG
Donald Trump seemed practically giddy that the revival of Roseanne was a ratings hit, given that the show's central star, Roseanne Barr, is an outspoke (if eccentric) Trump supporter. But the series' producers are quick to point out that Roseanne's character is the only Trump supporter on the show, and Trump isn't going to get much love--or even a mention by name--through the series' first season.
Donald Trump was quick to take — partial — credit for the huge success of Roseanne, but it turns out that the ABC reboot won't be giving the president a call-out in the way he might have hoped.
While Roseanne Conner's (Roseanne Barr) support for Trump was a central storyline in the first episode of the March 27 premiere, the second episode quickly moved away from the political theme many viewers assumed would be a constant thread throughout the entire revival season.
In fact, Trump's name won't even be mentioned in any of the nine total episodes.
"The Conners aren't Trump supporters. Roseanne's character is a Trump supporter — she's the only one — and we never say his name, actually, in the show," series star Sara Gilbert, who also serves as an executive producer on the reboot, said Thursday on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live. (The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Gilbert's comment applies to all the remaining episodes, as well.)
During the first episode, Trump-backer Roseanne Conner argued with her "Nasty Woman"-branded sister, Jackie (Laurie Metcalf), over her support for Hillary Clinton. But Trump is referred to as "him" and Clinton as "her"; in fact, Jill Stein's name is the one uttered once Jackie reveals that she ended up voting for the Green Party candidate in the end. "You did such a good job of making me doubt myself, and feel so stupid that I choked, which helped him get elected,” Jackie screamed at her sister.
The premiere skyrocketed to success, earning the network TV's best comedy launch in three-plus years with 18 million viewers tuning in, mainly from Middle America, and scoring a second season renewal from ABC. Whether the president will earn a mention in the follow-up season remains to be seen, as the scripts have not yet been written.
Get the rest of the story at The Hollywood Reporter.
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