ROSEANNE - "Roseanne Gets the Chair" - Roseanne's clash with Darlene over how she's raising her kids - especially Harris - reaches a breaking point; while Dan tries to help Roseanne with her bad knee by getting her an elevator chair, which she refuses to use because she doesn't want to admit getting old, on the second episode of the revival of "Roseanne," TUESDAY, APRIL 3 (8:00-8:30 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network. (Adam Rose via Getty Images) ROSEANNE BARR, JOHN GOODMAN
“Roseanne” without Roseanne Barr is one step closer to becoming reality, according to multiple sources who indicate that ABC could make an announcement “as soon as this week.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, ABC “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.
Deadline also reported that ABC executives met with “Roseanne” producers Monday night to pitch ideas for the show. As has been widely indicated, producers are keen to rebuild the show around Darlene Conner, Roseanne’s daughter played by Sara Gilbert.
However, despite the cast and crew’s eagerness to bring back the show without Roseanne, there could be a huge legal hurdle in the way:
While independent production company Carsey-Werner owns and produces Roseanne, there are legal and rights issues that need to be settled as Barr was executive producer on the series and has ownership/backend. Warner Bros. TV’s decision to fire Two and a Half Men star Charlie Sheen and continue the show without him resulted in him filing a $100 million lawsuit against the studio, eventually settled for $25 million that WBTV paid him to cover his backend.
Despite this possibility, producers could avoid the issue. While Barr is credited for originating the character that Roseanne Conner was based on, “Roseanne” was created by Matt Williams, which makes it easier for producers to create a new series without Barr’s blessing.
Whatever the case, it appears that “Roseanne” as we know is done for.
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