Roseanne Revival: Controversy and Cancellation
The Roseanne revival, a continuation of the popular 90s sitcom, returned to ABC with both fanfare and controversy. The premiere episode featured Roseanne and Dan Conner waking up on their iconic living room couch, complaining they “slept from ‘Wheel’ to ‘Kimmel'” and missed “all the shows about black and Asian families.” Roseanne then quipped, “They’re just like us!” This seemingly harmless line sparked immediate criticism, interpreted by many as a dismissive remark towards ABC’s other diverse sitcoms, “black-ish” and “Fresh Off the Boat.”
This joke highlighted a clear divide between the Conners and the families depicted in these other shows. It implied the Conners existed in a different cultural world, one where they were disconnected from and possibly even resentful of the increasing diversity on television. The joke also hinted at a meta-narrative, referencing the real-life political climate and ongoing debates about media representation.
Beyond this initial controversy, the Roseanne revival tackled various politically charged topics, including the 2016 presidential election, working-class economic struggles, and healthcare. Roseanne Conner, a Trump supporter in the revival, often clashed with her liberal sister Jackie, mirroring the deep political divisions within American families. While the show attempted to portray these divisions with humor and nuance, it often blurred the line between insightful commentary and inflammatory rhetoric.
The show’s willingness to address these sensitive issues resonated with a large audience, making it one of the highest-rated television shows of the 2017-2018 season. However, this success was fleeting. Roseanne Barr, the show’s star and co-creator, posted a series of controversial tweets widely condemned as racist. ABC quickly canceled the Roseanne revival despite its high ratings.
While the Roseanne revival ultimately ended in scandal, it left a lasting impact on television. It demonstrated the potential for sitcoms to tackle complex political and social issues, and it sparked conversations about free speech limits and artists’ responsibility in the public eye. The show’s legacy remains complex and controversial, reflecting the polarized era in which it aired.
The Roseanne revival also highlighted the precarious position of diverse programming on network television. The joke about “black and Asian families” underscored the historical underrepresentation of these communities in mainstream media. While shows like “black-ish” and “Fresh Off the Boat” made significant progress, their presence was still relatively new, and their continued success wasn’t guaranteed. The Roseanne revival, intentionally or not, exposed the fragility of diversity in a media landscape still dominated by traditional narratives and characters. This underlying tension further complicated the show’s controversial legacy.
