'Roseanne' Spinoff Is Looking More Likely Every Day
by EG
One thing is certain: Roseanne Barr is no longer welcome to be a part of the series that bears her name, as far as ABC is concerned. But the network might be willing to continue the series with the rest of the cast and creative team intact. How likely is that to happen? Read on to find out.
Less than a week after its stunning decision to cancel Roseanne, ABC is inching closer to a spinoff of TV's No. 1 series.
Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that the network is knee-deep in conversations with executive producers including Tom Werner for a new incarnation of the multicamera comedy. Werner's Carsey-Werner banner produced the original series and its revived 10th season, with the veteran executive said to be highly engaged in finding a way to continue the franchise with stars Sara Gilbert (who plays Darlene), John Goodman (Dan) and Laurie Metcalf (Jackie). Sources note that it's likely the entire cast — sans star Roseanne Barr — and creative team, including showrunner Bruce Helford and the same writing staff, and crew would return for whatever the new incarnation is. Multiple ideas are being discussed, including one focused on Darlene, as Gilbert was the driving force behind the ABC revival.
ABC declined comment.
Roseanne should have never lost her show over this. It was an innocent tweet taken out of context. Enough already is right.
— Michelle Stands with Roseanne 🐺❤🍅 (@michelle11502) June 5, 2018
ABC on May 29 canceled Roseanne after Barr's racist tweet directed at Valerie Jarrett, a senior adviser to former President Barack Obama. The star, who has been an outspoken advocate for President Donald Trump, later apologized and said she "begged" Disney-ABC TV Group chief Ben Sherwood not to cancel the series. (ABC declined comment, though multiple sources within the network contend that conversation never happened and Barr has since deleted that tweet.)
I end by offering everyone involved one more apology and prayers for healing of our divided nation. Tomorrow is Shabbat and I will continue to pray that everything for everyone goes forward & ends well for all. signing off twitter for a while. love u guys!
— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) June 1, 2018
On Friday, ABC scheduled a meeting with producers to discuss potential ways to continue the show. Those talks are said to have heated up over the weekend, with Werner highly engaged in finding a way to keep the series going. An announcement could come as soon as this week.
Get the rest of the story at The Hollywood Reporter.
Would you watch a Roseanne-free Roseanne spinoff? Let us know in the comments below.