BetterForgotten

No one f.ucks with Dame Angela Brigid Lansbury, those idiots.

Leon and Nancy were the major supporting/recurring characters in the last 5 seasons or so, so it would be strange if they didn't come back for an episode or so. I know Roseanne is still close to Sandra Bernhard. I'd be more surprised if we ever saw Natalie West as Crystal again, considering she was phased out of the original show when Roseanne found another group of friends. That character always felt very weird to me - I don't know if it was conscious or not, but I always felt like she wanted Roseanne's life: She seemed to have a crush on Dan that she couldn't act on, so she married Dan's father instead to insert herself into actual Roseanne's family She always seemed insanely jealous of Roseanne and Jackie's relationship - as if she also wanted Jackie's place in Roseanne's life (Roseanne's own damn sister)

I'm sure they'll both play a substantial role. I think the reason why we're seeing so much of Sara and Roseanne (at least in the beginning stages) is because they're both also producers on this reboot - it was Sara who got everyone together and got this project off the ground. So they both probably have a vested interest in the creative and financial ends as well. I agree that everyone looks happy to be doing this, and (other than maybe Lecy and Michael), none of them are really hurting for money. Roseanne doesn't have to work a day in her life again, Sara has The Talk, and John and Laurie both have successful film and theater careers. They all just seem very game to make this happen.

I guess they're still using the original theme music. Here's a video from Roseanne's Instagram of her and Sara Gilbert watching the new opening titles. The chicken shirt is back as well!

I'm really glad to I got to see Dear Evan Hansen with the original cast (including Michael Park) - I can honestly say it's one of the best shows/musicals I've seen on Broadway in years. MP seems so proud of his association with it too, it's just nice to see one of the actors you discovered on a soap be part of something else (in another medium) that means so much to many people. I know the relatively young cast loves him, and have said he's as much of a paternal figure backstage as his character is on the show. It was the lead actor's (Ben Platt) last performance today, and MP has some nice things up on Instagram of the two of them.

I think John Yorke once said that Michelle was his favourite character, but he also said he'd never bring that character back if Sue Tully was never going to return. I wonder what he'll do with her and if he'll try to remedy some things with the character during his interim phase.

Laurie Metcalf is getting a lot of early Oscar buzz (Supporting Actress category) for her role in Greta Gerwig's Lady Bird. She won a Tony Award earlier this year, and of course has 3 Emmy's for playing Jackie. She's built up great credibility as an actress (primarily for her stage work) since the original run of Roseanne. I hope this means they'll write Jackie better and less crazy than the last few seasons of the original show. Laurie is amazing and Jackie deserves more complexity as a character.

I saw Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway this past week - nice to see that Michael Park continues to be a strong presence on Broadway. This must be the 3rd or 4th Broadway show I've seen him in over the last 5 or so years.

Roseanne posted some pics from the set and from their first table read on her Facebook page today. Looks like they've rebuilt the old set (or one iteration of it at least):