"The Conners" Discussion Thread

[Roman]

the original show won;t be off for too long. stations will wait for all this to blow over and then they'll put the show back on their airwaves. IMPO. but I never knew Ambien caused racism, bigotry, transphobia, homophobia, posting crackpot conspiracy theories, comparing black women to apes, and having one's head shoved up the backside of the most vile thing ever to hold the office of POTUS. need to call my doctor and see if Ambien is right for me.

probably. I think one of the reasons she sought treatment was probably having to work with her. and it may have majorly triggered some things in her. I feel bad for her and everyone at the show.....but I must say, ABC KNEW what they were getting and turned a blind eye. I hope the young lady will be ok. 

[dragonflies]

 

[Vee]

 

She really was the glue of the early episodes, especially with young Ames McNamara. She got me in the heart and she brought Roseanne's game up as well. She wasn't the same Darlene as when she was younger, either - she still had bite, but it wasn't all she had. She had matured. It does make me wish she'd consider a similar show elsewhere on her own.

 

 

I think Natalie West is pretty happy doing theater and living her life these days, per a recent interview. But yes, it was great to see her.

 

I'll watch the last few episodes eventually - I'm not ready to deal with this show again right now - but it'll be very bittersweet. So much potential and good work squandered by one ignorant person. I hope someday you watch them. It really had a lot going for it despite everything, but maybe it was an impossible situation from the start. And maybe my overly hopeful viewpoint was the same one Gilbert and co. held dear until it was too late.  I imagine it was the same for some at ABC - I don't believe it was all a cynical business consideration from Day 1, people like Dungey, Sherwood, etc. are still human beings and I believe they genuinely hoped they could bridge a divide, possibly bring Roseanne back from the brink, and make good TV and/or bank. Their immediate reaction to yesterday, as detailed in the stories upthread, indicates it wasn't just about advertisers for them.

That writer's story above - especially the last few answers about their intent being lost - is sad. Because that's what the show could've been, with a different Roseanne. Even just a newly arch-conservative Roseanne would not have been this Roseanne.

Edited May 30, 2018 by Vee

[DRW50]

 

There was something very special about "Roseanne," which is why the show was so popular in syndication, why people loved the early years so much, and felt so betrayed by the later years, and why the show came back to such huge numbers. It was, at its best, an effortless comedy and drama without the tweeness or pretentiousness of many shows that try to straddle that line. And it had very rich, human characters. It still has stayed with me many years after I watched the show. That's why when I see articles talking about how this sitcom and that sitcom and that other sitcom were all that anyone needed, I just kind of feel like they don't get it - what made this show (mainly the first version, obviously) special is, like all important/great sitcoms, something that can't be replicated. 

 

I can see why Gilbert wanted to try again and I think in another universe it would have worked long-term. She never should have brought Roseanne Barr back into the spotlight, ABC shouldn't have either, but I can see why she wanted to try. And now they are reaping the consequences, but I do hope down the line people will be able to enjoy the show again, if Barr has not permanently ruined that for them.

Edited May 30, 2018 by DRW50

[Khan]

 

Someone needs to remind Roseanne that it isn't 1993 anymore and that you just can't be as outrageous as you wanna and expect it all to blow over soon.  Not in the age of social media, when people are ALWAYS ready with the receipts.

[dragonflies]

I'd watch this

 

 

[Khan]

 

Okay, when we DO get that Shonda Rhimes talk show?  I want YOU to be one of her co-hosts.  (I also want Luvvie Ajayi to join the panel.  Real talk from real Black women who are empowered and know their [!@#$%^&*].  No lie.)

[Vee]

I think Sara and co. genuinely hoped they could fix her. I thought they might be making it work. But some things you can't do with people who are too far gone. She needs serious help, but I guess she's always needed help.

 

As for enjoying the show again someday, I think so. I guess the good news is thus far Roseanne has no known serial rapists.

Edited May 30, 2018 by Vee

[Khan]

 

I'll remember that the next time I get caught calling a white person a "cracker" or suggest they all love country music and sleeping with their cousins.  ("[!@#$%^&*], y'all, you know it was just that silly ass Ambien talkin' again!")

[Vee]

And now she's directly attacking Michael and Sara. Nice.

[Khan]

 

My advice to Michael, Sara and anyone else she might attack directly: do not engage, do not respond.  Smokey the Bear says only YOU can prevent dumpster fires.

[dragonflies]

That interview I posted, it was one of the writers who said he was told Roseanne had matured. I dunno who thought that given she's been posting racist stuff for over a decade

[Juliajms]

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[DRW50]

 

She tweets so much like Trump. Ugh. Why do I have a feeling that she may end up getting a job in his administration.

[Khan]

Somewhere, Matt Williams (and every other writer/producer Roseanne put through the old wringer BITD) is laughing his ass off.

 

Because, she will.  Then, she'll be fired, like everyone who works for that man ends up fired.

 

(Cue the "Roseanne escorted from the WH" headlines.)

 

This blog post, from "Cheers" and "M*A*S*H" writer Ken Levine, pretty much sums up how I feel about the whole fiasco (and that's what it was doomed to be, too, a fiasco):

 

http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/2018/05/my-thoughts-on-roseanne-being-cancelled.html

 

Yeah, I don't buy that [!@#$%^&*] either.  Who did Dave Caplan talk to before taking the job?  Because, given her antics and reputation from the original series ALONE, I doubt anyone in the industry would have told him to go ahead and accept the gig.  Not without asking first whether he had good health insurance.

 

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I really enjoyed the first season or so of the original show, because someone other than that self-destructive shrew was in charge.  Once she (and Tom Arnold) began acquiring more and more control over its creative direction, though, "Roseanne" just grew into an obnoxious and ultimately unpleasant show to watch (save for some great moments that managed to pierce through her megalomania).

 

As host of the "Tonight Show" for thirty years, Johnny Carson did a lot of good things for the country...but introducing us to the holy terror that is Roseanne (Barr) was not one of 'em.

Edited May 30, 2018 by Khan