Examining the genesis of the original “Roseanne,” the executives and producers believed they had found a way to move forward without ABC’s paying Ms. Barr. Although she has been credited with coming up with and shaping the Roseanne Conner character, the creation of the show itself is credited to Matt Williams, a writer-producer who was fired after clashing with the star early in its run.
When “Roseanne” was canceled last month, many television executives expressed doubt that even entertaining the idea of a spinoff was possible. Marcy Carsey, one of the show’s founding producers, recently said she would not try to continue with a similar series.
“I think I would just say, ‘O.K., we had a wonderful run,’” Ms. Carsey said at a television festival in Austin, Tex., this month.
Ms. Carsey’s former producing partner, Mr. Werner, held a different view. “We are grateful to have reached this agreement to keep our team working as we continue to explore stories of the Conner family,” he said in a statement.
By going ahead with the spinoff, ABC executives are gambling that viewers will approve of the network’s decision to bring back the Conners and will display an interest in characters who once served as foils to the lead.
A recent Quinnipiac University National Poll found that 48 percent of registered voters agreed with ABC’s decision to cancel the show, and 34 percent said they would have preferred to see it remain on the air. Among those identifying themselves as Republican, 50 percent disagreed with the network’s move.
Other notable shows — like “House of Cards,” “Transparent” and “Two and a Half Men” — have continued without key cast members. And there is precedent for continuing a series without its eponymous star. The 1980s sitcom “Valerie” was retitled “Valerie’s Family: The Hogans” and then “The Hogan Family” after Valerie Harper left during the show’s second season because of a salary dispute. The writers killed off Ms. Harper’s character — it was a car crash — and brought aboard Sandy Duncan as “Aunt Sandy,” the show’s new matriarch.
Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/21/business/media/roseanne-barr-spin-off.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
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