Roseanne Revival Slated for 2018
The eponymous title alone reminds many of the theme played before every episode. The harmonica and saxophone driven theme was one of the most iconic themes of the 1990s, and it still stands the test of time today.
Well, the harmonica and saxophone better be dusted off because in 2018, the Conner family is returning to television.
After rumors of having been in the works earlier this year, a promo released on May 16th confirming the revival. May 20th will mark 20 years since the final episode’s airing, and the show will turn 30 in October 2018.
Main cast of Roseanne (L to R): Laurie Metcalf; Lecy Goranson; Sara Gilbert; Roseanne Barr; Michael Fishman and John Goodman
For those unfamiliar, Roseanne was a three time Golden Globe winning sitcom that premiered in 1988 and ran until 1997. Centering around the Conner family that is lead by the matriarch (Roseanne Barr), this classic sitcom focused on a middle-class family in the fictional town of Lanford, Illinois. The show dealt with a wide array of topics, such as: divorce, birth control, marijuana, and gay relationships, just to name a few. The series starred Roseanne Barr (whom the show is eponymous with), John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert, Lecy Goranson, and Michael Fishman.
All those actors mentioned above have been confirmed to returning for this revival. With an array of side characters, it has not yet been confirmed as to whether any of the side characters are rumored to return. Executive producers Tom Werner and Bruce Helford will return, but Barr and Gilbert will also produce this time around.
Along with the main cast, Roseanne featured some more well-known actors. For example, George Clooney portrayed a recurring character throughout the show’s first season. Beginning in Season 5, Johnny Galecki (The Big Bang Theory) portrayed Darlene’s boyfriend until the series’ end. Actors such as Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Inception) and Alyson Hannigan (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) had one-time roles as child extras before their careers boomed.
When asked as to why the series was being revived, ABC Entertainment President Channing Dungey said the following: “The Conner’s joys and struggles are as relevant -- and hilarious -- today as they were then[.] There’s really no one better to comment on our modern America than Roseanne.”
And that is extremely true! Just imagine how Roseanne and the Conner clan react to the politically divided America today, an America that contrasts greatly to the one during the show’s original syndication.
Barr has been very expressive when concerning the 2016 election, expressing disdain for both of the candidates. In fact, the actress officially enrolled in politics and was even a candidate in running for president in various election years since her program’s end.
In terms of revival of great TV shows, Roseanne is following in line from many other TV revivals that have already happened. Netflix has successfully revived Full House and The Gilmore Girls, the former being told through its sequel series Fuller House and the latter being a continuation called Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. Fox has also produced one season that continues the story of The X-Files after its end in 2002 with another season on the way. After ending in 2006, NBC ordered a revival of Will & Grace, which will return later this year.
Roseanne’s revival is timely and couldn’t have came at a more perfect time. Barr recently took to Twitter, saying that this revival series will fire jokes at, “about everything on Earth.”
Until the series hits sometime in 2018, you can get caught up on all nine seasons of Roseanne by purchasing seasons either on Amazon or DVD. It might be costly, but it’s definitely worth it.
