With Fuller House on Netflix, Twin Peaks on Showtime, and Will & Grace on NBC (among others), it’s clear that TV reboots/sequel series are the new hot trend that’s just too successful to stop — kind of like Disney’s live-action remakes. The latest example of this is the revival of Roseanne on its original network, ABC. For my money, this is actually one of the biggest reincarnations yet as the show was a massive hit in its day… before it went off the rails in its ninth season. Speaking of that infamous ninth season, forget it ever happened because, within seconds of season 10 starting, our beloved Dan Conner (John Goodman) is risen from the dead and many of the bombshells dropped in the previously-believed-to-be-canonical series finale are rightfully thrown out the window. So does this mean that the new Roseanne returns to its former glory?
If you’re somehow not aware, Roseanne was a sitcom that ran from 1988 to 1997. Over those years, the show received praise for its relatively realistic depiction of a working-class family while also being, by all measures, funny. That said, the show also courted controversy not only for the topics it covered on screen but also because of star Roseanne Barr’s off-screen life. Stories of Barr’s various staff firings, her “unique” rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and high-profile marriages earned her a reputation that may have been a turn off to certain viewers. In fact, history seems repeating itself to a certain extent as some have suggested they won’t be tuning into the show because Barr, who once ran to be the Green Party’s candidate for President, has hopped aboard the #MAGA train and made her support for President Donald Trump clear.
This is actually a perfect segue to the show itself as the first episode’s central conflict revolves around Roseanne and her sister Jackie (Laurie Metcalf) reuniting after their differing votes in 2016 election caused a rift between them. Meanwhile, Roseanne and Dan’s younger daughter Darlene (Sara Gilbert) has moved back home and we are introduced to her two kids. Elder daughter Becky (played for the third time by original cast member Lecy Goranson) also returns and announces she’s signed on to be a surrogate mother. Naturally, in true Roseanne fourth wall-breaking fashion, the woman she’ll serve as a surrogate for is played by Sarah Chalke — A.K.A. “Becky #2.” Lastly, D.J. (Michael Fishman) and his daughter make a brief appearance in the pilot while D.J.’s wife is apparently still stationed overseas.
While it’s great to see all these characters back on screen again, there’s something that feels a bit off about the new Roseanne. At times, the performances seemed to fall flat as though the former TV family was still finding its footing. This leads to some cringe-worthy moments, starting with the pilot’s opening scene. From there, it does get better but never great — save John Goodman and Laurie Metcalf, neither of which miss a beat in this reboot. Additionally, the kids on the show (Emma Kenney, Ames McNamara, and Jayden Rey) all do a great job, even turning in some better work than their elders at times. The other problem with the pilot is that, this being 20 years later, there’s plenty of exposition to slip in, seldom gracefully.
Despite those few off beats, I have to say that show is actually quite funny. Watching the three episodes made available, I found myself laughing out loud multiple times — and I don’t think nostalgia was the only factor in that. It should also be noted that, while the first episode does include quite a few politically-pointed jokes, the other installments screened barely touched on the topic (although you could argue there are political undertones to some plotlines, including discussions of sexuality, identity, and the opioid crisis). These subsequent episodes often outshined the first, likely because of all the weight that the big return episode has to carry.
To be sure, the new Roseanne might not be everyone’s cup of tea. For one, it’s a return to a type of show not seen much on TV these days: the multi-cam sitcom (complete with a “Roseanne is taped before a live studio audience” sounder). Secondly, with politics being as divisive as ever, it’s easy to imagine the show catching heat from many sides. With all that aside, I think Roseanne is one of the better reboots that’s come to fruition as its presence in a 2018 world feels justified given its premise. Having enjoyed the first few episodes, I’m excited to see more and, maybe just maybe, wash the taste of season nine out of my mouth for good.
I give ABC’s Roseanne 3.5 out of 5 harmonica riffs. The show returns Tuesday, March 27th.