Why Roseanne Was Canceled in 2018
The original Roseanne revival was canceled by ABC in May 2018 after star Roseanne Barr posted a racist tweet about former Obama aide Valerie Jarrett. The network cited the post as a clear violation of its values, and the decision was made within days of the tweet gaining widespread attention. The show had premiered its tenth season on ABC in March 2018 and was performing well in ratings, but the controversy led to an immediate halt in production and the removal of all episodes from the schedule.
ABC, owned by The Walt Disney Company, stated that the tweet was "abhorrent, repugnant, and inconsistent with our values." The cancellation effectively ended the revival before it could complete its intended story arc. The remaining episodes that had already been filmed were pulled, and the network announced that the show would not return for an eleventh season. This decision marked a sudden end to a series that had been revived as a ratings success and a nostalgic hit for both audiences and advertisers.
Roseanne Barr's Departure and the Launch of The Conners
Following the cancellation, ABC confirmed that Roseanne Barr would not return to the franchise. The network announced in June 2018 that the show would continue as a spinoff titled The Conners, which would focus on the rest of the family without Barr's involvement. The decision allowed the series to retain its core cast and audience while distancing itself from the controversy that led to the original show's abrupt end.
The Conners premiered on ABC in October 2018 and ran for five seasons, concluding in 2023. The series was developed as a direct continuation of the revival, with the first season addressing the absence of Roseanne Barr's character by writing her out as having died. The show maintained strong viewership and critical support throughout its run, becoming a staple of ABC's comedy lineup and a successor that outlasted the revival that preceded it.
How the Original Roseanne Show Ended Before the Revival
The original Roseanne series aired on ABC from 1988 to 1997, spanning ten seasons and 222 episodes. The show was a ratings powerhouse for much of its run, consistently ranking among the top sitcoms on television and earning multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. Its final season addressed the family's financial struggles and shifting dynamics, wrapping up the long-running story of the Conner household in a way that felt both grounded and reflective of the era.
After the original series ended, Roseanne Barr pursued other projects, including talk shows and stand-up comedy, while the show remained a touchstone of 1990s television. The series was later revived in 2018, bringing back the original cast and premise for a new generation of viewers. The revival's premature cancellation and the subsequent launch of The Conners created a complex legacy for the franchise, with the original run remembered for its cultural impact and the revival remembered for its abrupt and controversial conclusion.
Key Facts About the Original Series Run
The original Roseanne aired on ABC from October 18, 1988, to May 20, 1997. The show was created by Roseanne Barr and Matt Williams, and it was produced by Carsey-Werner Company. It was one of the most-watched sitcoms of the 1990s, often ranking in the top five of the Nielsen ratings. The series finale, titled "Into That Good Night," aired as a two-hour special and concluded the story of the Conner family.
The revival series, also titled Roseanne, premiered on March 27, 2018, and was canceled on May 29, 2018, after ten episodes