‘The Conners’ EP Bruce Helford Teases Reason for Roseanne’s Absence

Jim Halterman September 11, 2018, 1:30 pm

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ROSEANNE - 'Eggs Over, Not Easy' - A crucial moment for Becky's surrogacy arrangement forces her and Darlene to critically assess each other's lives. Meanwhile, an animal rescue organization rejects Jackie's application to adopt a puppy; and Roseanne makes a plan to change their mind, on the fourth episode of the revival of 'Roseanne,' TUESDAY, APRIL 10 (8:00-8:30 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network. (Adam Rose/ABC via Getty Images) SARA GILBERT, JOHN GOODMAN — Adam Rose/ABC via Getty Images

Keep on Keeping on: That’s the goal for the Conner family in The Conners — a new incarnation of the blockbuster sitcom Roseanne. (After racist tweets from creator and star Roseanne Barr, ABC canceled the revival in May, then opted to continue without her.)

“It’s going to be the same troublemaking, honest, authentic slice of a Midwestern working-class life it’s always been,” says exec producer Bruce Helford.

The Conners picks up not long after Roseanne’s season finale, and the matriarch’s absence “will be addressed in the first episode,” says Helford. Meanwhile, middle daughter Darlene (executive producer Sara Gilbert) and her kids still live with dad Dan (John Goodman), with frequent drop-ins from the rest of the clan.

“Dan has to step up in a lot of ways,” says Helford. “He holds his family together.” But without Roseanne (not to mention her Uber income), Helford adds, “everyone takes up new responsibilities, which is really interesting in that family dynamic.” Expect one great tradition to remain, though: the Halloween episode!