Most of the main cast of “Roseanne” will be returning to ABC for a spinoff focusing on the Conner family that removes its titular character played by its controversial lead, Roseanne Barr, officials said.
Most of the main cast of "Roseanne" will be returning to ABC for a spinoff sitcom that will not include the titular character played by Roseanne Barr, officials said.
“We have received a tremendous amount of support from fans of our show, and it’s clear that these characters not only have a place in our hearts, but in the hearts and homes of our audience,” stars John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert, Lecy Goranson and Michael Fishman said in a joint statement.
"We all came back last season because we wanted to tell stories about the challenges facing a working-class family today," the statement continued. “We are so happy to have the opportunity to return with the cast and crew to continue to share those stories through love and laughter.”
The spinoff, tentatively called “The Conners,” will slide into the time slot once occupied by the "Roseanne" revival, which was canceled after Barr called President Obama’s former senior adviser Valerie Jarrett the baby of the “Muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes" in a tweet.
Barr later agreed to waive financial and creative rights to a spinoff.
“I regret the circumstances that have caused me to be removed from Roseanne," Barr said in a statement. "I agreed to the settlement in order that 200 jobs of beloved cast and crew could be saved, and I wish the best for everyone involved."
Following news of a reworked show returning to ABC, Barr was pictured in seemingly high spirits while out to dinner with family.
In the photo, which was posted to Instagram, Barr is seen giving the thumbs up as her son Jake Pentland smiles.
"Mom is great everyone. Taken just now," Pentland captioned the photo.
It’s not clear how Barr’s absence from the show will be explained. In the season finale of "Roseanne," the titular character was undergoing knee surgery.
"The Conners" will air Tuesday at 8 p.m. in the fall.
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