In the wake of ABC cancelling Roseanne this week after the show’s star tweeted out a racist remark, some are trying to figure out if the series can continue on without the involvement of Roseanne Barr.
According to TMZ, Sara Gilbert—one of the show’s stars and a producer for the Roseanne reboot—could be the focus of a revamped version. TMZ wrote that Gilbert, who plays Darlene on the show, has been calling cast members to gauge their thoughts, and apparently John Goodman, who plays Roseanne’s husband Dan, has shown interest.
The Hollywood Reporter, though, says that there have been no formal discussions about any specific ideas. But if a new show were to happen, ABC wants to make sure Barr could not financially benefit. ABC, which didn’t have a comment for the Reporter, is reportedly expected to meet next week about possibly continuing the series.
In the immediate aftermath of Barr tweeting that former Barack Obama aide Valerie Jarrett looked as if the “muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby = vj,” ABC called the post “abhorrent, repugnant, and inconsistent with our values.” Even though the network had ordered another season of Roseanne after it brought in tremendous ratings, ABC immediately terminated the show.
Barr apologized in a subsequent tweet, saying it was “a bad joke about [Jarrett’s] politics and her looks. I should have known better.” But Barr, who has been known to tweet about over-the-top conspiracy theories, has remained active on her Twitter account in recent days.
President Donald Trump also has gotten involved, saying that the real victim in this case was him, because he never received a phone call apologizing “for the HORRIBLE statements made and said about me on ABC.”
The Roseanne reboot had been the best-rated show on TV this season, and according to the Reporter, it was expected to generate at least $60 million in ad revenue next season.
H/T A.V. Club