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Report: ABC Looking To Salvage ‘Roseanne’ Cast With New Series

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Katie Jerkovich Entertainment Reporter
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ABC reportedly is looking to try to keep the talents of several members of the “Roseanne” cast after cancelling the show over Roseanne Barr’s racist tweet about former Obama aide Valerie Jarrett.

According to Entertainment Weekly Wednesday, the network has been having discussions about the possibility of creating a new series that would include Barr’s co-stars like John Goodman and Laurie Metcalf following the sudden decision to cancel the popular reboot.

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 08: (L-R, Back Row) Executive producers Whitney Cummings and Tom Werner, actors Ames McNamera, Emma Kenney, Jayden Rey, executive producer Bruce Helford, (l-r, front row) actor Michael Fishman, executive producer/actress Sara Gilbert, actress Laurie Metcalf, executive producer/actress Roseanne Barr, actors John Goodman, Lecy Goranson and Sarah Chalke of the television show Roseanne speak onstage during the ABC Television/Disney portion of the 2018 Winter Television Critics Association Press Tour at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena on January 8, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Executive producers Whitney Cummings and Tom Werner, actors Ames McNamera, Emma Kenney, Jayden Rey, executive producer Bruce Helford, (l-r, front row) actor Michael Fishman, executive producer/actress Sara Gilbert, actress Laurie Metcalf, executive producer/actress Roseanne Barr. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

The challenge appears to be that “Roseanne” was created by the 65-year-old comedian and any use of the same characters with or without her would mean the former star of the show would still benefit financially.

Discussions reportedly are underway with the idea of keeping the other stars of the show and creating a new series around them. However, there has reportedly been no decisions yet and many other options are on the table.

The show had a hugely successful debut in March and it led ABC to immediately announce that they had signed the cast up for a second season. With the cancellation, Carsey-Werner–who produces the series for the network–has confirmed they picked up “cast options” for the 13-episodes so it must still pay those salaries. And the network had already ordered the season so it must incur the financial burden as well.

Several of the show’s writers are staying put with the network and are working on a pilot project together, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

“[They] have a pilot project with Tom Werner for ABC, and we’ll continue working together,” executive producer Dave Caplan explained. “I know that Tom really regretted the fact that we had such a wonderful writing staff together — a real rare collection of talent — and I know he’d like to continue using it in some fashion if that were possible.”

In an email to staff, Disney-ABC Television Group president Ben Sherwood said he hoped to work with the cast and crew “down the road.”