The Conners

[Pallas]

Your thread to discuss the upcoming ABC show -- before the upcoming PTV forum!

[Jacqs]

I really hope they re-cast Harris.

[Rap541]

If for no other reason than she was just... physically awkward compared to her theoretical parents, yes.

[Jacqs]

Harris also had the allure of cold porridge. Me thinks they'll get someone a bit more exciting to the young male demographic. I remember they did that on Sabrina the Teenage Witch in the '90s to boost ratings.

[Lili]

This is some great news. Roseanne herself was never one of my favorite parts of the show anyway, so I'll give it a watch.

[SpiritSong]

I hope this gives Laurie Metcalf a chance to shine. Hated what they did to her character in the reboot. Give that woman good writing and she"ll own the show.

[AgentRXS]

I'm really interested to see the character of Jackie evolve without Roseanne's influence. The later seasons as well as the reboot depicted an unhealthy codependency between the two of them. I can't see Wacky Jackie continuing on without Roseanne to play off of. Now will be Metcalfs time to shine. She can pull it off. 

[Brn2bwild]

53 minutes ago, JacquelineAppleton said:

I really hope they re-cast Harris.

If they don't, I hope they give her the chance to be more than just a brat.  Her actress on Shameless has been likeable and sympathetic at times -- it should be the same for this one.

[SpiritSong]

1 minute ago, Brn2bwild said:

If they don't, I hope they give her the chance to be more than just a brat.  Her actress on Shameless has been likeable and sympathetic at times -- it should be the same for this one.

I've never seen her in anything else, but wasn't impressed with her in the reboot. I didn't see much chemistry between her and Darlene. Plus, she's way too old, and looks it, for the part she's playing. 

[HadleyFields]

I'm so happy, so excited, and so hopeful for The Conners! 

[Utpe]

1 hour ago, Lili said:

This is some great news. Roseanne herself was never one of my favorite parts of the show anyway, so I'll give it a watch.

Same here.  Even during the show's original run, I was always in it for John Goodman.  The guy never disappoints.

I'm thrilled about the news.  I believe it can continue and be successful without Roseanne Barr.

Edited June 22, 2018 by Utpe

[jsbt]

Very happy they'll be back.

[Kip Hackman]

I wasn't a regular viewer of the original run of "Roseanne", but I enjoyed the reboot, even though I thought Roseanne was one of the weakest links in the show. So I'll check it out.

But I don't understand who the target audience is for this. A large chunk of viewership isn't coming back without Roseanne. And I don't foresee a huge influx of new viewers to offset that. I'm guessing that it will struggle, ratings-wise.

Edited June 22, 2018 by Kip Hackman

[mythoughtis]

It may not be the blockbuster hit that season 10 was. That was a sort of ‘welcome back’ thing.  However, i think it will do well enough to stay around.   I think it has a real family feel to it. For all the bickering, etc, we know that Darlene loves Becky,  Dan would move the moon to keep Jackie and Bev safe, fed and happy.

for all the Aftermash, etc shows - I respond back with A Different World, Frazier, and Major Crimes. 

[CherryAmes]

27 minutes ago, Kip Hackman said:

I'm guessing that it will struggle, ratings-wise.

It's a risk for sure but for those people still watching mainstream TV and looking for family sitcoms they aren't exactly spoiled for choice right now.  The show could be doomed before it starts but if they take the right approach and have the writing and acting to back it up it could be a hit.  Maybe not huge but they could have a market.  Time will tell.

If they really want to reflect today's US like they claimed to want to do with the reboot they've got a golden opportunity to show what happens when you don't have access to good health care that won't put you into crippling debt - you die younger than you should from things you shouldn't.

Edited June 22, 2018 by CherryAmes

[UYI]

57 minutes ago, Kip Hackman said:

I wasn't a regular viewer of the original run of "Roseanne", but I enjoyed the reboot, even though I thought Roseanne was one of the weakest links in the show. So I'll check it out.

But I don't understand who the target audience is for this. A large chunk of viewership isn't coming back without Roseanne. And I don't foresee a huge influx of new viewers to offset that. I'm guessing that it will struggle, ratings-wise.

 

There are people like me out there who may have felt...VERY differently about the Roseanne of the last few years, but remembered who she and Roseanne Conner were in the old days fondly enough to watch this past season, albeit with some guilt over the former situation, just because we love/loved the old show (and everyone else a part of it) THAT much. And now, we don't have to feel so guilty about it anymore!

I'm in! 

33 minutes ago, mythoughtis said:

It may not be the blockbuster hit that season 10 was. That was a sort of ‘welcome back’ thing.  However, i think it will do well enough to stay around.  

If we can get a nice ending without any lottery wins, weird book endings (complete with husband switching!), or a nice ending spoiled by its star not knowing when to shut her mouth, I'm fine with it coming back. I hated the thought of the show's legacy being tarnished by what happened a month ago. This at least gives it a chance to end on a better note. Hell, it doesn't even have to be anything big or over the top at the end of the day, in terms of the rest of the family finding happiness--just a simple, "life goes on" short of thing. 

Edited June 22, 2018 by UYI

[CatsAndMoreCats]

I chuckle at the comments I saw on this morning's news programs.  People are saying the supporting characters couldn't possibly sustain a show that was based on, and built by, Roseanne.  The supporting characters are played by solidly experienced actors who have been nominated multiple times, for multiple awards, well beyond their work on Roseanne.  I can't wait to see John Goodman and Laurie Metcalf front-and-center on the re-reboot.

[tessaray]

I have no clue how the audience will receive the spin-off but I'm going to check it out.  I thought a lot of the revival's best scenes were ones that Roseanne wasn't even in.  Dan/DJ and Becky/Darlene really stood out.  I don't think the writes will have any trouble filling out the extra time the other characters will get now. 

[ChicksDigScars]

John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf and Sara Gilbert certainly can hold up a show and sustain it. 

 

Any bets as to how Roseanne's absence will be explained? We seem to be assuming that she dies, because would Roseanne actually up and leave her family? This is a comedy, so even comments about her death need to be somewhat light. Perhaps she was hit by a Hostess or Little Debbie delivery truck? Death by Ding Dong? Because the sarcasm can work around that. Much like Dan's near death by a wrecking ball hitting the porta crapper.  It can't be a weepy, maudlin show right from the jump.  Hilarity has to ensue somehow, and maybe a fade to black scene of Dan, sitting in the kitchen alone, where he finally breaks a little, to close the first episode. 

Edited June 22, 2018 by ChicksDigScars

[UYI]

3 minutes ago, ChicksDigScars said:

John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf and Sara Gilbert certainly can hold up a show and sustain it. 

 

Any bets as to how Roseanne's absence will be explained? We seem to be assuming that she dies, because would Roseanne actually up and leave her family? This is a comedy, so even comments about her death need to be somewhat light. Perhaps she was hit by a Hostess or Little Debbie delivery truck? Death by Ding Dong? Because the sarcasm can work around that. Much like Dan's near death by a wrecking ball hitting the porta crapper.  It can't be a weepy, maudlin show right from the jump.  Hilarity has to ensue somehow, and maybe a fade to black scene of Dan, sitting in the kitchen alone, where he finally breaks a little, to close the first episode. 

I know some are going to want some ridiculous death as a "fuck you" to the real Roseanne, but I honestly think the idea that she dies while having her knee surgery is the best choice. It fits with the story that was already in play, it will just go in the opposite direction from what was originally expected to happen. 

[Chicken Wing]

I'm cautiously interested in checking out the reboot spinoff whatever the hell you call it now. I mean, I'll at least check out the premiere. Can the show, the story, survive without the character of Roseanne Conner? That's a tough one. For me, personally, I was always more interested in the reboot to explore the now-grown kids' lives anyway, and they started to touch on some interesting potential toward the latter part of the 1st/10th season between Becky tentatively making strides to move forward in her life to Darlene grudgingly realizing that she can't hold out for an "I'm too good for all that other stuff" job when she has two kids counting on her to provide for them to D.J. trying to adjust to life after the army. So the material is there. We'll see.

[Rap541]

Quote

or all the Aftermash, etc shows - I respond back with A Different World, Frazier, and Major Crimes. 

And Mash did have a very successful spinoff - Trapper John MD.  (showing my age, I think)

I would like to see, if Roseanne the character dies, for it to be a tasteful death because honestly, there's only so many ways you can work with "Poochie died on the way back to his home planet". Maybe after the knee surgery, she has a bad drug interaction and dies? It doesn't have to be "She drove the uber car into a lake" or something like Crystal's husband....

[mythoughtis]

I think a death during knee surgery is suitable. It’s realistic, although not common. They can tie in her existing health issues as being risk factors, etc. They don’t have to dwell on it as they can a have time jump, and they even can do what I suggested a while back. Break the 4th wall.  Have Sara Gilbert do a video stating they removed Roseanne, the actress.  Therefore, they will go forward with Dan as a widower.  The characters cause of death is x, but there will be no big scenes about it. 

 

But don’t do what the comedy that they brought Leah Remini into did.  

Edited June 22, 2018 by mythoughtis

[GoldenGirl90]

I’m also cautiously optimistic about this. I certainly believe the remaining characters can and will carry the show. I worry about the ratings though. Not to get too off topic but there is a portion of viewers I’ve seen on other message boards who truly believe this is some “left-wing” conspiracy to get another show with a Trump supporter (Roseanne Conner) off the air and they plan on boycotting ABC and the reboot (whatever that means). I’m gonna watch it though. Most of season 10 was focused on Darlene anyway so I think they can come up with plenty of great storylines despite Roseanne’s absence. 

[UYI]

7 minutes ago, Alexis2291 said:

I’m also cautiously optimistic about this. I certainly believe the remaining characters can and will carry the show. I worry about the ratings though. Not to get too off topic but there is a portion of viewers I’ve seen on other message boards who truly believe this is some “left-wing” conspiracy to get another show with a Trump supporter (Roseanne Conner) off the air and they plan on boycotting ABC and the reboot (whatever that means). I’m gonna watch it though. Most of season 10 was focused on Darlene anyway so I think they can come up with plenty of great storylines despite Roseanne’s absence. 

Let them worry. :)

I really don't care how much longer the show goes on after this coming season. I'm just happy that a fitting ending is on the horizon, one that this show and its legacy deserves.

Edited June 22, 2018 by UYI

[Delphi]

I'm probably not going to tune in.  I love all the old actors.   And I'm not a fan of what Roseanne has been up to as of late.   But honestly,  I don't see this being as appealing as a show.   I get that its still an ensemble show but Roseanne was part of the ensemble and I don't think I'd enjoy it without the entire unit.   But I wish the show and the cast the best. 

[Jillybean]

2 hours ago, CatsAndMoreCats said:

I chuckle at the comments I saw on this morning's news programs.  People are saying the supporting characters couldn't possibly sustain a show that was based on, and built by, Roseanne.  The supporting characters are played by solidly experienced actors who have been nominated multiple times, for multiple awards, well beyond their work on Roseanne.  I can't wait to see John Goodman and Laurie Metcalf front-and-center on the re-reboot.

John Goodman and Laurie Metcalf have also appeared in successful films, for pete's sake.

[bigskygirl]

Film is different from a television show. I cannot stand Jackie at all. She overacts and is obnoxious. Darlene is too much like Roseanne. Becky and D.J. are the only characters I like.

[Chaos Theory]

I want to be more excited about this then I am,  I think this is a bad idea for several reasons.  That being said I leave my final opinion for the pilot because I am curious enough to at least check it out.   Honestly I think ABC biggest mistake was renewing the (first?) remake after the pilot.  Who knows this might actually work taking out the firebrand politics and turning it into a show about Dan’s pain about losing the love of his life and Darlene’s struggle to raise a family on her own.  Hell even Becky finally moving on from Mark’s death has potential.

[TigerLynx]

I think it depends on the writing Darlene, Becky, Dan and Jackie get, and Harris should definitely be recast.  It would be nice if they did away with wacky Jackie, and brought back the Jackie of the early seasons.  Have Becky go to community college, have Darlene work at the casino, but also work on her writing and not just talk about it.  Dan and Chuck could do okay with their business, not become millionaires, simply learn from mistakes made in the past.  I would also like to see Darlene and Becky really move on from David and Mark.  DJ isn't the strongest actor, but I like his family, and I like DJ and Dan scenes.

Edited June 22, 2018 by TigerLynx

[Keywestclubkid]

Please for the love of god Give Jackie a life bring back ANDY and dont make her wacky

[hnygrl]

I would love to see Darlene get published. 

This will work. And as much as I freaking LOVE Roseanne, I must admit that without her?

Much better show. Gives Dan a chance to step to the forefront. In my mind, he's sitting on the side of the bed, talking to Rosie, making coffee, talking to Rosie (I can never get mine to taste like yours....how'd you DO that???) Stuff like that. 

This will work.

[iMonrey]

Personally, I think the show should have just died altogether. But from a business standpoint I understand why ABC decided to go this route - they have to pay the leads whether there's a show or not. I'd be very surprised if they did anything further beyond the upcoming season, though. John Goodman and Laurie Metcalf just have way too many other opportunities in film and other projects to waste their time on this. 

[Mu Shu]

I want money.  I named it damnit.

This is going to be great.  God got out of the bathtub.

[katie9918]

I’ll watch for John Goodman and Laurie Metcalf. Hopefully, the initial focus on Darlene switches to them. I just don’t find Darlene or either of her kids interesting yet. Maybe that’ll change.

 

Going in, though, I’m in for Dan and Jackie.

[UYI]

I'm most interested in seeing what happens to Becky!

[Mmmfloorpie]

Bring on Sandy Duncan!

[ketose]

4 hours ago, Rap541 said:

And Mash did have a very successful spinoff - Trapper John MD.  (showing my age, I think)

I do not accept that Trapper John, MD was a MASH spinoff. It didn't star Wayne Rogers (or Elliot Gould) and had no detectable connection to MASH. Plus, it took place about 30 years later.

I have a suggestion for a theme song

[UYI]

43 minutes ago, Mmmfloorpie said:

Bring on Sandy Duncan!

I do wonder if they will poke fun at the situation by having her make a cameo at the end of the first episode.

I get paid if that actually happens, BTW. ;)

Edited June 22, 2018 by UYI

[ChicksDigScars]

Dear GOD, please don't hook up Dan and Jackie. 

 

That's all I ask. 

[SoMuchTV]

5 hours ago, Rap541 said:

And Mash did have a very successful spinoff - Trapper John MD.  (showing my age, I think)

I would like to see, if Roseanne the character dies, for it to be a tasteful death because honestly, there's only so many ways you can work with "Poochie died on the way back to his home planet". Maybe after the knee surgery, she has a bad drug interaction and dies? It doesn't have to be "She drove the uber car into a lake" or something like Crystal's husband....

Oh I agree.  I hope they don't go all "Michelle Tanner/Fuller House" on her with the snarky in-jokes.  Just let her be somehow gone and move on.

[Milburn Stone]

6 hours ago, ChicksDigScars said:

Any bets as to how Roseanne's absence will be explained? 

In the other thread, I suggested she is in a Federal penitentiary for committing hate crimes.

[UYI]

35 minutes ago, Milburn Stone said:

In the other thread, I suggested she is in a Federal penitentiary for committing hate crimes.

The irony is that the character of Roseanne Conner herself was more or less still the same person she was two decades ago, at least in terms of standing against racism. And there was a story about her getting knee surgery, so it would make sense to use that excuse to just kill her off.

...Not to take away from your fun, of course. :)

(And I could see the death option appealing to you even more!)

[katie9918]

There's really no reason to do anything else than to have Roseanne die from complications from knee surgery. The finale gave them a perfect out for just such a possibility. 

 

Besides, Roseanne Conner (not Roseanne the actress) never would have committed a hate crime. I can see how the character wound up being a Trump supporter (taking the actress completely out of it), but she probably would have been one of those people who simply held their nose and voted for the person they thought (perhaps misguidedly, perhaps not) would hurt them less in the long run. I know a lot of people for whom that was the bottom line. For the record, they didn't all vote the same way.

[wonderwoman]

some thoughts on the reboot from james poniewozik @ the ny times: 

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/22/arts/television/roseanne-the-conners-abc.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=mini-moth&region=top-stories-below&WT.nav=top-stories-below

[Bastet]

22 minutes ago, katie9918 said:

There's really no reason to do anything else than to have Roseanne die from complications from knee surgery. The finale gave them a perfect out for just such a possibility. 

I agree. 

Roseanne Barr has overshadowed Roseanne Conner enough lately; I don't want it to happen yet again in how they write her out.  It's bad enough Roseanne Conner will (presumably*) be dead (I'm glad the show is coming back without Roseanne Barr - damn right ABC should cut ties with her - but Roseanne Conner is a separate entity, and her dying semi-young after all she and the rest of the Conners have been through is sad, so I'm upset with Roseanne Barr for creating this mess that has such a ripple effect), I don't want it to be by way of character assassination. 

*They kind of have to kill her off, not just as one of the only realistic explanations for her absence, but because of the shit ABC/producers will get if she's alive, leaving the possibility she could come back in the future.

Edited June 22, 2018 by Bastet

[Twilight Man]

9 hours ago, mythoughtis said:

for all the Aftermash, etc shows - I respond back with A Different World, Frazier, and Major Crimes. 

Don't forget "The Hogan Family" ---- speaking of which -----

2 hours ago, Mmmfloorpie said:

Bring on Sandy Duncan!

2 hours ago, UYI said:

I do wonder if they will poke fun at the situation by having her make a cameo at the end of the first episode.

 

They did make fun of recasting Becky by having the family watching "Bewitched" and complaining about the Two Darrins.

I seriously believe that they would poke fun at themselves once again.

4 hours ago, Mu Shu said:

I want money.  I named it damnit.

 

2 hours ago, UYI said:

I get paid if that actually happens, BTW. ;)

I keep complaining to DC Comics --- I totally said that Batman was going to do that. Where's my paycheck??

I knew all along that there was another Power Girl --- are you going to pay me for this???

DON'T HOLD YOUR BREATH!!!  I'M STILL WAITING!!!!!!

[StaceyNotStacie]

I’m guessing that if they kill her off, it will be due to complications from her knee surgery or something else heath related (didn’t they make reference to sugar issues in the pilot?). 

On an entirely different topic and not to start an argument, but I’m over the Facebook posters who are commenting that they’re not going to watch because Roseanne isn’t on the show, trying to tank it before it even begins. They’re just as bad as the Star Wars fans who refuse to watch anything but the original movies because they’re not the originals, not even giving them a chance. 

[ketose]

Either the show works or it doesn't. It might tank because people want Roseanne. It might do well if it's written well and does justice to the characters. Or ABC might tank it because it's too expensive for the revenue. There's no good way to tell yet.

[janie jones]

If Roseanne owns the character of Roseanne, does she get money if they mention the character?