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| CAST OF THE CONNERS (L TO R) MAYA LYNNE ROBINSON (GEENA) JAYDEN REY (MARY) MICHAEL FISHMAN (D.J.) JOHN GOODMAN (DAN) LAURIE METCALF (JACKIE) SARA GILBERT (DARLENE) EMMA KENNEY (HARRIS) AMES MCNAMARA (MARK) LECY GORANSON (BECKY) |
I’ve read reviews that really trash the new series The
Conners and noticed a reoccurring theme. Many had already made up their mind
that they weren’t going to like the series because it didn’t feature Roseanne
Barr. Others made their opinions known after watching only a segment of the
debut. In both cases there’s little the show can do to win the favour of those who prematurely wrote it off.
I was a big fan of the original Roseanne series and one of
the 16+ millions who tuned in to watch the reboot episode. I was bummed out
when ABC pulled the plug on the mega hit after Barr’s late night racist tweet
and thrilled when the network later announced that they had made a settlement
with Roseanne that would allow them to bring a rebranded version of the show
back, minus her character or creative input.
One of the things I always enjoyed about the original
Roseanne series was the stellar cast. In the earlier episodes Barr’s acting was
at best, marginal. She would deliver her line then break the fourth wall by
chuckling and waiting for the studio audience to stop laughing. Roseanne was
used to doing stand-up comedy and it showed. Had they not surrounded her with
seasoned actors and talented kids, it’s unlikely the show would have become so
popular.
The Conners gives us more of what held the Roseanne series
together with none of the abrasiveness associated with Barr. The writing has
continued to be current and believable.
When they wrote out Barr’s character, they cleverly used a
storyline that had already developed on the reboot, while addressing an issue
that’s been in all the headlines. Although Barr scoffed at how they wrote her
out, she had approved her character’s opioid addiction plot line featured in
the Roseanne reboot.
The Conners has quickly become my “must-see TV” go to. With
its plot twists and blending of new and familiar characters, there’s enough
material for this series to continue for several seasons. Hopefully viewers and
ABC feel the same way.
