The confounding Roseanne drama continues with ABC reportedly considering making a Roseanne spinoff starring Sara Gilbert.
Late last week, multiple outlets reported the network might be interested in creating a show centered around Gilbert’s character Darlene, Roseanne’s daughter who is a single mom and currently unemployed. TMZ said Gilbert had been calling around to other Roseanne cast members to see what they think; reportedly, John Goodman is “very interested” in the idea. Carsey-Werner’s Tom Werner is also reportedly working to make the show a reality.
Later on Monday, June 4, THR reported “the network is knee-deep in conversations with exec 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 (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 Gilbert’s Darlene as the actress was the driving force of the ABC revival.”
It makes sense to assume that part of the fervor around a spinoff would be to salvage the behind-the-scenes jobs lost after Roseanne Barr tweeted that President Obama’s former adviser Valerie Jarrett was the product of the Muslim Brotherhood and Planet of the Apes. The writers’ room, in particular, learned they’d lost their jobs on the same day of their first meeting for the then-upcoming season.
After Barr’s tweet, Gilbert wrote about her displeasure on Twitter.
“Roseanne’s recent comments about Valerie Jarrett, and so much more, are abhorrent and do not reflect the beliefs of our cast and crew or anyone associated with our show,” she wrote. “I am disappointed in her actions to say the least.”
She doubled down Monday on her show, The Talk, saying she agreed with ABC’s decision to cancel the reboot.
