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ABC Officially Picks Up ‘Roseanne’ Spinoff, ‘The Conners’ With No Roseanne Barr Participation

Courtesy/ABC

Word on late Thursday afternoon is that ABC has now officially moved forward and gave a pick-up to the Roseanne spinoff series, The Conners.   

As viewers know, there had been speculation that the series would revolve around Sara Gilbert’s character of Darlene, but now the other concept with the entire family in the title is the direction the new series will go (although it is said to be the “working title” of the series.)

The Conners received a ten episode order and will make the fall TV schedule, and will reside on Tuesday night’s on ABC at 8PM.

Roseanne Barr’s controversial tweets led to the network’s swift decision to cancel her series.

In the new deal, Barr will have no financial or creative involvement in The Conners after reaching a settlement with series producer, Tom Werner.

The Conners will feature the rest of the Roseanne core cast including: John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert, Lecy Goranson, and Michael Fishman.

According to Deadline:  It is unclear how exactly Barr’s character will be written off but ABC describes it as “a sudden turn of events.”  On the new show, 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. This iconic family – Dan, Jackie, Darlene, Becky and D.J. – grapples with parenthood, dating, an unexpected pregnancy, financial pressures, aging and in-laws in working-class America. Through it all, the fights, the coupon cutting, the hand-me-downs, the breakdowns – with love, humor and perseverance, the family prevails.

In a statement ABC commented: “The Conners’ stories demonstrate that families can always find common ground through conversation, laughter and love. The spinoff will continue to portray contemporary issues that are as relevant today as they were 30 years ago.”

A major turning point to greenlight the series came when the fact that the new series does not feature Barr’s character Roseanne Conner, which rights to which she is said to maintain, paved the way for an agreement with no Barr.

So, glad to hear The Conners will continue sans Roseanne? Comment below.

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Sounds like this will be a very boring show with mostly mediocre actors.

John Goodman and Laurie Metcalf mediocre? I think not.

RIGHT ON, HARRY!!!!!

She said mostly…that doesnt mean she included John and Laurie…

Laurie Metcalf would not have a career if it was not for Roseanne..John Goodman was the only known actor on the show. No loyalty to Roseanne, I see

Roseanne is not a victim here. The loyalty is rightfully towards the cast and crew who maintain their jobs.

true

Will not watch. None of the kids are strong enough to carry a show! John Goodman is nothing without Roseanne. Ths only one who could carry a spin off is Jackie. Give her a show as a life coach…..that in itself is preposterous and sitcom gold!!!!

You dont know talent!

At first i read her comment wrong but mostly doesnt mean she included everbody on the show!!!!

Katie…there is nothing mediocre about John Goodman and Laurie Metcalf!!!!! Remember that.

She only said mostly…that doesnt mean those two…

Rosanne was mediocre

I will pass

Me to

Wanda Sykes called Trump an orangutan but still worked on the reboot and wasnt fired but left on her own after RB tweet…what both said was stupid but i hate double standards…no i wont watch!!!

I think it was Bill Maher who told Trump that he needed to prove that he’s not the product of two orangutans mating He said this at the height of Trump’s birther movement in which he insisted over and over that Obama prove he was born in America, even after Obama provided his birth certificate which yes, proved he was born in the sate of Hawaii. Trump was relentless, cruel and yes, racist in his attacks.
Jim, I like you–you’re smart, funny, compassionate and educated. But you must understand that given the history of slavery and the dehumanization of African Americans which our US history has shamefully yielded, that there is a huge difference between calling an old white man (who colors his skin and hair orange) an orangutan and referring to African Americans as apes, gorillas and monkeys. I really do not want to get political in here but it’s hard not to react to posts such as these.

Im not on either side…just wish all people would watch what they say and do…i have been called every name in the book since i was a child including when i first started on this site…Roseanne has mental issues and people who struggle with depression can say the wrong things-im one of them and it doesnt mean i really think that way and i feel the same goes for Roseanne…i agree with you that African Americans have been treated horribly…they have made great contributions to our society and should be treated no differently than any other race…they are the only minority to have made the most progress in our society and im happy for that and hopefully all minorities of every race will all be treated equal…i treat every person no matter the color, religious beliefs ect the same as long as they treat me the same-thats the way it should be!!! …even Maher whom im not a fan need to watch what he says…Trump was wrong about Obama…im not for or against either of these men…too much time wasted criticizing each other when all should be working together and thats the only way to make America Great Again!!!!

I actually believe that Roseanne didn’t know the woman was black. I wouldn’t have known if I wasn’t told. She’s actually 50% percent European. I think what Roseanne said was cruel in and of itself in that she insulted the woman’s looks, but I just have a feeling she’s telling the truth when she said she honestly didn’t know.

I have no doubt many if the people appalled by her comment have made bigoted statements about other races and religions but have said so in private or have gotten a pass.

hi Jimh..
Noticing that a person looks like an orangutan and saying so, that is not a Racist remark, just an observation.lol

They could say the same about what Roseanne said…sometimes people with mental problems can say the wrong thing!!!!

Exactly, Jimh! This is a woman who clearly has mental issues and the compassion she has been shown for her condition is absolutely nil. As I’ve said before, I was never a fan of hers, but it seems that to strip her of her own show and then bring it back without its leading character is simply unnecessarily punitive, public shaming of someone with a demonstrably fragile grasp on reality. If ABC didn’t want to help this woman regain her health and rehabilitate her image like Hollywood has allowed so many others with far worse past transgressions, then they should have just allowed sleeping dogs to lie and let the cancellation stand as it was. To do this is just more petty piling-on to prove a point with typical virtue-signalling.

I love your response, well said and spot on.

Thank you, Dr. Ruth!

This is true, su! And in Roseanne’s particular case, I have no doubt her original beef against Jarrett was more politically and policy-inspired than a prejudiced personal slam about her appearance, unfortunate and ill-chosen as it was. But that’s the problem with our current environment and its fixation on “identity politics.” Instead of considering people as just people and individuals as distinct individuals, for far too many, everything is viewed through the singular prism of race, religion, sexual orientation and/or gender instead of looking at the unique qualities—-both good and bad—-of each and every person, which is what I have always done. Yet, whether here on this website, or society in general, it’s nearly impossible to state an honest observation about anybody without having some “ism” attached to it in an ugly, sinister fashion. For example, the fact that I find a certain American woman who has recently achieved worldwide fame wanting and ill-suited in terms of her new position totally comes down to the proposition that I regard her as completely disingenuous, extremely calculating, deeply uncouth and possessing a highly-disreputable past that has been all but glossed over in the US media…although internationally, the coverage of her has been much more fair and balanced, which is where I have gleaned my information and formed my negative opinion of her which is strongly shared by those in the country of question. However, because the “race card” has been played to shield this femme from criticism, particularly in the States, my less than favorable comments regarding her have been attributed to only one thing….her heritage. Same goes for my critiques of certain soap characters. For me, the most important aspects of any fictional soap dweller is that, first and foremost, the actor portraying them is up to the task at hand, and that they are handed a role that is well-defined and has at least a semblance of a backstory. In the case of Val Spencer, there was much lacking in the introduction and continued presence of this character, to wit, other than the tenuous connection she purportedly had to the iconic Spencer clan, nothing of any import was ever established about her own personal history…was she really Patricia’s bio-daughter? Who was her father? What about all the missing years of her mother’s existence in reference to her family…..what did she do with her life and what led to her motherhood? None of these crucial details was discussed or even expressed as a point of curiosity….not with Luke, Bobbie, Lulu, not even as some pillowtalk with Dante when Val was conducting her adulterous affair with her cousin’s husband. It was such an oversight and disservice to both the character and audience that her sole purpose seemed to be one as plopped onto the GH canvas as a potential homewrecker of a beloved couple, after which all she did was awkwardly languish around Port Charles seeking a place for herself which never ultimately materialized. So why is pointing out these gross inconsistencies considered taboo? Is one not permitted to ask such questions simply because the character in question does not share certain physical traits similar to other family members? That’s patently absurd and I utterly reject the assertion that making those inquiries has anything to do with bigotry, as has been scurriously suggested by those who maintain otherwise and insist upon focusing on the superficial rather than the substance of the matter. Perhaps that says more about them and their own biased perceptions rather than those of us who they choose to criticize according to their own preconceived notions.

This-”series would revolve around Sara Gilbert’s character of Darlene”
That ^^ is a fail..
Gilbert’s acting skills are subpar and her character Darline is nothing exciting, quite mundane.

Sara Gilbert, Lecy Goranson, and Michael Fishman and their characters are nothing much to bring the show-up without Roseanne.

John Goodman and Laurie Metcalf will have the need to hold the show, and neither is a Rosanne.
Goodman is the one and only one with the persona and skill to carry the show.

The ”Connors” will fail.
people will expect them all to be as the way they were when with Rossane, and they will not be.
Fact is– that family was Rossane and without Rosanne, it will fail.

THE SHOW WILL FAIL WITHOUT ROSANNE…GILBERT IS NO ROSANNE!!!!!MY FAMILY WILL NOT WATCH…

I won’t be watching either. Roseanne was one of only two shows last season I looked forward to every week (the other being Young Sheldon), but I’m not interested in this without Roseanne.

“Goodman is the one and only one with the persona and skill to carry the show.”

I’d have to disagree — and so would the Emmy judges — since Laurie Metcalf won 3 consecutive Emmys for her role as Jackie in 1992, 1993, and 1994…

Looking forward to it.

Yep!!!!!!!

Give it a chance!

Not going to be the same I love Rosanne and I’m
Behind her 100% on what she did !

You’re 100% behind racism??

Best way they could write off the character is to use what was already written into the scripts of the previous season.

Last thing we saw was Roseanne (the character) preparing to have knee surgery. It’s certainly rare for somebody to die from that sort of surgery, but if you also add references from previous episodes of that season, we also know she was abusing prescription opiates to manage the pain of the knee injury.

If she failed to disclose her level of drug use to her doctors, they might have not prepared for a drug interaction between the opiates in her system and the anesthesia given to her during surgery. End result – accidental “overdose” that she did not wake up from. She could be dead, or she could be a vegetable (NOT a reference to her political beliefs) but it’s probably best to make a clean break from the character and move on.

And then the show can get back to the working class comedy it used to be… instead of mutating into some Cheeto propaganda vehicle like its former star was trying to do.

John Goodman and Laurie Metcalf were the real talents of the show anyway. Politics aside, I ever thought Roseanne Barr was particularly very funny–she’s a poor comedic actress with lousy timing and pacing.
If Goodman and Metcalf are the heart of show, I just might watch. However. why would those talented actors who always have enough work want to be part of what might be a sinking ship?

Harry…you have a very, very valid point…about BOTH John Goodman and Laurie Metcalf. To me, John Goodman has ALWAYS BEEN a truly wonderful and versatile actor. And…Laurie Metcalf’s character of Jackie ALWAYS made me LOL…ALWAYS!!!!!

Have a good one, Harry.

I am pleased to learn of this development. I think this ensemble cast has the ability to carry on without their former star. I am certainly rooting for them!

Me, too, Brother!!!!! I am already INTRIGUED AND EXCITED by this idea!!!!! Oh…and BTW, I’ll be setting my DVR to Tuesday nights this upcoming Fall. YEAH!!!!!

Later, Brother.

Disappointed ABC loss could have been a huge gain for another network

ABC already made its bed when they hastily performed the knee-jerk decision to cancel “Roseanne”..instead, they could have put the show on indefinite hiatus until the brouhaha calmed down and then moved forward with whatever plans they deemed necessary. Given how badly they initially handled this situation, and the fact that there truly is no logical basis for this sitcom to continue without its leading lady to provide her alternative opinions to the rest of the otherwise sycophantic cast who offer nothing different from any other comedy on the air today, it would seem that the only reason the network is pushing this reconstituted version is to spite both its former star and the huge audience that SHE drew to her eponymous program. I hope it fails….BIG TIME!

WELL SAID!!!!

Personally I hope this completely tanks. The double standard has to stop. I HATE that some actors will lose their job, but,little Miss Sara should have stood up for Roseanne. So,,what goes around comes around. The Talk can go bye bye also

You expected someone to stand up for racism?

She DID however apologize for her unkind comments – and, I never cared for her and do not watch the show, old or new – so it would be difficult for me to say if the show could continue on without it’s core character, I would think that it would be unlikely but one never knows.

I will be tuning in because the other characters are just as good as Roseanne to me. We really won’t know how the show will take off until we see the first episodes but I am sure the whole crew behind the series is going to give it their best.

Don’t think it’ll ever work–t00 much lingering aftertaste.

Unfortunately, I think this sounds very boring. I wasn’t a fan of the original series, but I thought the reboot was very funny. Sara Gilbert seemed awkward/uncomfortable in the reboot, so I’m not interested in seeing this reboot revolve around her character or family. Many times, the reboot of a reboot doesn’t work.

I’m glad. The cast is so talented and for me, I didnt even really care for the Roseanne character, I like Dan and Jackie.

I’m sorry…but, as far as I’m concerned, Roseanne started all of this (real-life and all) with that BIG MOUTH of hers…and with that racist tweet. So…you know what: TV future-wise…LONG LIVE THE CONNERS!!!!!!!!!!

Hey…just saying.

Later.

Won’t be the same without Roseanne and her wisecracks. I was a fan, but not interested in this.

I am so disappointed in the cast. Roseanne made these people famous. We knew none of them, expect John Goodman, existed before her show. Where is the loyalty?? It makes me sick, I was the #1 fan of ROSEANNE’s show. Won’t be watching these bottom feeders.

never liked this show, didnt like revival, never thought Roseanne B. was anything that special in entertainment world and found her to usually be tasteless in her actions over the years. Wouldn’t have watched, and not watching in Fall.

Aww everybody so concerned about Roseanne ! But not one peep about a has been actor Peter Fonda wishing the Presidents son would be attacked by pedophiles??! You might want to check your obscene hatred at the door it is sickening he should be arrested and throw his ass in jail!!’ Had enough of your hatred he won deal with it !

k/kay-
Peter Fonda did Not Wish Trumps son would be ”attacked by paedophiles”

he strongly and Wrongly said-
“We should rip Barron Trump from his mother’s arms and put him in a cage with paedophiles,”
no wishing for attacks said, even tho it was emotionally angerly wrong to make such a statement.
And, nobody, nobody should ever be arrested in the USA for using an expression of free speech no matter how horribly wrong the comment was.
🙂

If Peter Fonda has a TV show on the air, feel free to lobby for its cancellation. I can’t even remember the last time he made a movie.

Not that I really agree with what he said either, but let’s remember a couple of things about your Orange Messiah:

1) He IS imprisoning and torturing children.

2) He has made MULTIPLE statements about having sex with his own daughter.

Now THAT is “obscene”. On BOTH counts.

Glad the crew isn’t losing their jobs. If they kill off Rosanne’s character, I won’t watch. Send the character to rehab for drug addiction for a season. I’m hoping Roseanne will return the following season. Wouldn’t one season “fired” be enough? (I thought the firing was overkill.) Plenty of Hollyweird types have said similar or worse with little or no punishment.

OK–
Let’s look at this seriously.
The front-runners;
Dan, Jackie, Darlene, Becky and D.J.
Darlene, Becky and D.J. are minus a strong persona. In other words, they are ehhh stale and simply weak characters of little interest.

As for Dan he is not much of anything without Rosanne.
Same goes for Jackie.
It was Rosane that carried the family she was the light they were the shadows.
It will fail.

I can not wait because I love Laurie, John,Sarah & the rest of the cast! I think it may work. So glad all those people are not out of a job because of one woman’s ignorance.

Can’t imagine how it will survive without Roseann.

This is a BUNCH of BULL, bc of 1 mistake NOW Roseanne is out of a JOB. But I was told that someone else that is also on Comedy/Talkshow did a racist comment but did they discontinued that show?….. Um I think NOT.
I won’t be watching that so called show without Roseanne.
Sorry it’s the truth.

I’m going to give it a chance. If I don’t like it, I can always change the channel.

Breaking News

Marla Adams, The Young and the Restless’ Dina Mergeron, Dies at 85

Marla Adams, best known for portraying matriarch, Dina Abbott Mergeron on CBS’ The Young and the Restless for 37 years, died on April 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. The news came from Y&R’s Director of Media and Talent, Matt Kane.

Throughout her veteran soap opera career, Marla appeared had appeared on Secret Storm (in her other longest running soap role as Bell Clemens from 1988-1974), The Bold and the Beautiful (ex-Beth Logan), Days of our Lives (ex-Dr. Claire McIntyre), Generations (ex- Helen Mullin), General Hospital (ex-Mildred Deal) and Capitol (ex-Myrna Clegg).

However, it was her role as Y&R’s upper crust Dina, who abandoned her children and her marriage to John Abbott (the late Jerry Douglas) that was her most memorable role. Throughout the years, Dina would have several romantic reunions with John, but in 2017, the character returned to Genoa City to reunite with her estranged family. Dina was the on-screen mother to Ashley Abbott (Eileen Davidson), Traci Abbott (Beth Maitland) and Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman).

Photo: JPI

As for Adams, she joined Y&R in 1982, but left the soap three years later her contract expired. She returned to Genoa City for stints in 1991, 1996 and 2008 before being asked by then Y&R head writer-producer Sally Sussman to return in 2017, which would begin the top-rated daytime drama telling the story of Alzheimer’s disease. Through Dina, the show shed light on a person going through the perils of the illness, and how the family copes and tries to come to terms with its fate.

In fact, Marla took home the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series in 2021 for her work in the storyline, She had previously been nominated in 2018.

Photo:JPI

Speaking with Michael Fairman TV, Marla shared on her final scenes on Y&R when Dina passed away and was reunited with John Abbott, “It was heart-wrenching for me.  In the story, Dina died when she went outside and to the front door of the Abbott home.  They did not tell me before-hand, and that’s why it was so wonderful.  I hope they came in for a closeup of that because I had no makeup on, it was beautiful, and then, Dina said, “Oh, John.”  I’ve done everything from movies, to daytime, to nighttime, to Broadway, but that was the iconic moment for me, to do this gig with wonderful, wonderful actors and friends, and to do this particular storyline.

Born in Ocean City, New Jersey, on August 28, 1938, Adams’ love for the stage was ignited after winning the Miss Ocean City and Miss Cape May pageants and finishing as a runner-up in the Miss New Jersey pageant. She also fondly remembered being the Miss Diamond Jubilee Queen during the 1954 celebration of the 75th anniversary of Ocean City’s founding.  A student at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Adams appeared on Broadway in the 1958 production of The Visit at the Morosco Theatre with Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne and starred as June in the 1961 feature film, Splendor in the Grass

Over the span of her decades long career, Adams starred in more than 40 productions including television’s: The Golden Girls, Hart to Hart, The Love Boat, The New Dick Van Dyke ShowHarry OAdam-12Starsky and HutchMarcus Welby, M.D.Barnaby Jones, and the feature film, Beneath the Leaves.

Photo: CBS

In a statement, Y&R’s current head writer and executive producer, Josh Griffith expressed, “On behalf of the entire company of The Young and the Restless, we send our deepest sympathies to Marla’s family. We’re so grateful and in awe of Marla’s incredible performance as Dina Mergeron as both Marla and Dina made an unforgettable mark on Y&R.

Marla is survived by her daughter, Pam Oates, son, Gunnar Garat, grandchildren, Gefjon and Stone, and her great-grandson, Remi.

Photo: JPI

Michael Fairman TV sends our condolences to Adam’s family, friends and co-stars. Now below, share your remembrances of Marla Adams, and watch a few of our interview with Marla from the set of Y&R during the show’s 45th anniversary celebration and on the red carpet at the Daytime Emmys below.

 

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Breaking News

REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital

For those who were holding out hope that Daytime Emmy winner and fan favorite, Nicholas Chavez would be returning to General Hospital after filming his leading role in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters anthology, it looks like those hopes have been dashed.

According to a report from TV Line, although unconfirmed from General Hospital or a representative for Chavez, the actor will not reprise his role as Spencer Cassadine on the long-running ABC soap opera and continue the love story of Sprina opposite Tabyana Ali (Trina, GH).

Chavez was cast as Lyle Menendez over the the summer of 2023 for the second season of Murphy’s limited Monsters series on Netflix. In the upcoming season, the series will focus on the the case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, the two well-to-do Beverly Hills brothers accused of murdering their parents in 1989.

Photo: ABC

After word from Chavez casting was revealed, GH fans were concerned over the fate of the Sprina story, a spokesperson for GH shared,  “We support Nicholas’ endeavors and look forward to having him return to General Hospital once this project is wrapped.”

In story, the series “killed off” Spencer when he went overboard with Esme to the steely waters below after being injected with a drug, thanks to Esme and falling into the Seine River in France. However, his body was never recovered, and believed to have drowned or washed away. Thus, leaving an opening for Spencer to return in the form of Chavez or be recast down the line.

Photo: ABC

TV Line shared that ‘multiple sources’ are confirming that Chavez is not returning to the ABC soap opera, which is what many had suspected might be the case once he left for this major starring role in a Ryan Murphy project. Chavez has been relatively quiet on social media for months.

Photo: ABC

The Michael Fairman Channel spoke with Nicholas Chavez for a virtual interview when he first joined the show in 2021, and spoke to him right after when he won the Daytime Emmy in 2022 – you can see those below.

No word yet on when Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story will debut on Netflix, but it is assumed later this year.

So, what do you think about the news of Nicholas Chavez not returning to his role as Spencer Cassadine on General Hospital? Comment below.

 

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Breaking News

‘Neighbours’ EP Jason Herbison on Series Daytime Emmy Nomination: “It’s a Huge Honour to be Nominated Alongside Such Iconic US Daytime Dramas”

When the 51st annual Daytime Emmy nominations were revealed last Friday, the iconic Australian soap opera, Neighbours, made the grade as one of the nominees for this year’s Outstanding Daytime Drama Series going up against U.S. titans such as General Hospital, The Young and the Restless et al.

That is because the revival of Neighbours, which is now seen in the United States streaming on Amazon Freevee, is now eligible under the rules from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).

Not only did Neighbours receive its first Daytime Emmy nomination for Drama Series, but also for one of its legendary stars, Guy Pearce, who returned for a stint in the revival as Mike Young. Pearce is nominated for Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series.

Photo: Freemantle

Throughout its run, Neighbours has received several nominations and wins in Australian and the UK, with this being its first nomination in the U.S.

Neighbours Executive Producer Jason Herbison shared on this momentous moment for the series: ‘Neighbours has been on an incredible journey these past few years and a Daytime Emmy Award nomination is the icing on the cake! It’s a huge honour to be nominated alongside such iconic US daytime dramas. This news is an exciting moment for our hard working cast and crew and a wonderful recognition of the new chapter of the show on Amazon Freevee.”

Photo: Freemantle

For those who need a bit of a refresher on the revival of Neighbours. The series streams exclusively on Amazon Freevee in the UK and U.S. and on Prime Video in Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.  New episodes air daily Monday-Thursday on Amazon. The new series launched on 18 September, 2023, and picks up two years after the finale left off. In Australia, Network 10 retains first-run rights in Australia for the new chapter of the series.

Photo: Freemantle/AmazonFreevee

The series is known as the longest running local drama of all time in Australia and has launched the careers of so many celebrities including: Margot Robbie, Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, the aforementioned Guy Pearce, and Liam and Chris Hemsworth, to name but a few.

Long running series star Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodbridge shared their many thanks on Neighbours Daytime Emmy nominations in a video message below.

So, what do you think of ‘Neighbours’ being nominated for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series at the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards? Could they be the spoiler in the category? Weigh-in below.

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