It appears a Roseanne-free version of Roseanne is set to get the go ahead with producers in the US green lighting plans for a spin-off show to be called The Connors.
Roseanne – a revival of the long-running sitcom which ran from 1988 to 1997 – was swiftly axed following a racist tweet by the show’s star, Roseanne Barr, involving former Obama adviser Valerie Jarett.
Yet, with a cast and crew in place, a hefty wage bill but no show, the show’s producers and writers scrambled to get a new version of the show up and running.
The only sticking point was Barr herself, who stood to make a motza in royalties from any spin-off due to previous contract arrangements.
Barr has now agreed to have no involvement in the new series, be it financially or creatively. The show’s producers have revealed that she agreed to a settlements so as to prevent 200 cast and crew members from losing their jobs.
“I regret the circumstances that have caused me to be removed from Roseanne,” Barr said in a statement.
According to a release by producers ABC, The Connors will return “after a sudden turn of events” which many are seeing as Roseanne’s character being killed off.
The release added: “The Conners are forced to face the daily struggles of life in Lanford in a way they never have before.” It also promises “an unexpected pregnancy,” “financial pressures,” and “coupon cutting,” all in a way that will “demonstrate that families can always find common ground through conversation”.
Executive producer Tom Werner also released a statement about the spinoff, saying, “We are grateful to have reached this agreement to keep our team working as we continue to explore stories of the Conner family.”
Network Ten was airing the new version of Roseanne in Australia before its untimely axing, however, it’s not clear if it will take-up an option on The Connors, too.