In 2018, Roseanne made an unexpected return to television after more than 20 years off the air. The revival was highly anticipated, with fans eager to revisit the Conner family and see how they had changed since the show’s original run. However, what started as a triumphant return quickly became mired in controversy. Roseanne Barr’s personal actions off-screen led to the cancellation of the show, but it also raised important questions about the relationship between celebrity, politics, and the entertainment industry.
The Return of the Conners
When Roseanne returned in March 2018, it was a cultural event. The show picked up where it left off, with Roseanne and Dan living in their old home, raising their granddaughter, and navigating the ups and downs of middle-class life. The revival attracted impressive ratings, with 18 million viewers tuning in for the first episode. It was clear that fans still had a strong emotional connection to the show and its characters.
The revival successfully tapped into the nostalgia of long-time fans while introducing new dynamics. The most noticeable change was the addition of the Conner family’s political views. Roseanne, a self-described Trump supporter, was portrayed as having a deep divide with her sister Jackie, who was a vocal critic of the president. This storyline resonated with a divided American public, as it mirrored the real-world tensions between political ideologies. The show was praised for tackling issues like political polarization in a way that felt authentic and relatable.
The Scandal That Ended It All
However, the revival’s success was short-lived. In May 2018, Roseanne Barr posted a series of controversial tweets that led to the show’s cancellation. Barr’s racially insensitive tweet about former Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett resulted in an immediate backlash from the public, and ABC quickly decided to cancel the show. The network stated that Barr’s comments were “abhorrent, repugnant, and inconsistent with our values,” and that they could no longer support a show that was tied to such behavior.
The decision to cancel the revival was met with mixed reactions. Some people felt that Barr’s comments were inexcusable and that ABC made the right call. Others, however, believed that the cancellation was an overreaction, pointing out that Barr’s political views and social media behavior should not have overshadowed the show’s merits.
The Conners Without Roseanne
Following the cancellation of Roseanne, ABC made the decision to continue the Conner family’s story through a spinoff series, The Conners. This show, which aired in the fall of 2018, focused on the remaining members of the Conner family as they navigated life without Roseanne. The show had to address the absence of its central character, and it did so by explaining that Roseanne had passed away unexpectedly.
The absence of Roseanne from The Conners was noticeable, but the show managed to continue with a new dynamic. While The Conners was not as successful as the original series, it was a testament to the strength of the supporting characters. Dan, Jackie, Darlene, and Becky all took on more prominent roles, with Darlene in particular becoming the new central figure in the family.
A Legacy Shaped by Controversy
While the 2018 revival may not have had the same longevity as the original Roseanne series, it demonstrated that the show’s cultural impact was far from over. The controversy surrounding Barr’s behavior highlighted the intersection of entertainment, politics, and personal responsibility in the age of social media. It also raised important questions about whether an artist’s personal actions should be separated from their work or if the two are inextricably linked.
Ultimately, the revival and its aftermath made it clear that Roseanne was more than just a sitcom. It was a cultural phenomenon that resonated with viewers on a deep level, whether they agreed with Roseanne’s politics or not. The show’s revival, though brief, reminded audiences of the importance of Roseanne in shaping the landscape of television comedy, and it proved that even controversial figures like Roseanne Barr could not erase the lasting impact of the show.
