Image by Getty Images

Now that Roseanne is kaput, eliminated by the power of cultural backlash against Ambien-fueled racism, network ABC is considering if there’s any money left to squeeze out of the franchise. Could a spinoff dedicated to Darlene, played by Sara Gilbert, ever capture the same working-class spirit as the original? Or the remake, which inspired mixed feelings from our cultural arbiters of television greatness?

As TMZ would have it, Gilbert’s been calling cast members to gauge their interest. John Goodman’s been feeling cautiously optimistic. I’m sure the crew members and cameramen who lost their jobs last week are, too.

But now it’s time to call America and gauge its interest in seeing the Connors without its erstwhile matriarch. Do we care for a future where Roseanne’s character is on indefinite hiatus? Can the show be salvaged from the wreckage of the ever growing gap between liberals and conservatives? Should it be?

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis of the crisis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Shira Feder still hasn’t watched Westworld. One day she will. She’s at feder@forward.com

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse..

Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount