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ABC picks up ‘Roseanne’ spinoff ‘The Conners’ sans Barr

The show debuts fall 2018

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Roseanne, gay news, Washington Blade

The original cast of ‘Roseanne’ includes lesbian actress Sara Gilbert (first from left in back row) Photo courtesy ABC.

ABC has picked up the “Roseanne” spin-off series “The Conners” without its former matriarch.

“Roseanne Barr will have no financial or creative involvement in the new series,” ABC announced in a press release.

John Goodman (Dan), Laurie Metcalf (Jackie), Sara Gilbert (Darlene), Lecy Goranson (Becky) and Michael Fishman (D.J.) will all return to the rebooted series. Deadline describes the show as “after a sudden turn of events, the Conners are forced to face the daily struggles of life in Lanford in a way they never have before.”

ABC ordered the show straight to series (meaning no pilot episode was necessary for its approval) for 10 episodes.

“We have received a tremendous amount of support from fans of our show, and it’s clear that these characters not only have a place in our hearts, but in the hearts and homes of our audience. We all came back last season because we wanted to tell stories about the challenges facing a working-class family today. We are so happy to have the opportunity to return with the cast and crew to continue to share those stories through love and laughter,” the cast said in a joint statement.

Barr will have no creative or financial involvement in the spin-off.

“I regret the circumstances that have caused me to be removed from Roseanne. I agreed to the settlement in order that 200 jobs of beloved cast and crew could be saved, and I wish the best for everyone involved,” Barr said in a statement.

The news comes just weeks after ABC pulled the plug on the critically acclaimed “Roseanne” reboot. Although the show was a ratings hit for the network, it was promptly canceled following Barr’s racist tweet about Valerie Jarrett.

“The Conners” debuts this fall Tuesdays at 8 p.m.

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