The sitcom touted as one of the most-watched television shows in the United States in the 1990s is set to return this March on ABC. The network has officially announced the nine-episode reboot of beloved series "Roseanne," which is seen as a realistic portrayal of middle-class America.
The original stars Roseanne Barr and John Goodman are returning to reprise their roles Roseanne and Dan, respectively, as the wacky heads of the Lanford-based Conner family. Goodman's involvement comes as a surprise as his character was famously killed off the show during the original series' finale as a shocking plot twist.
At the summer press tour of the Television Critics Association, ABC's president Channing Dungey said, "I wouldn't say that it is ignoring the events of the finale, but I can confirm that Dan is definitely still alive."
Other returning cast mates include actress Laurie Metcalf (Jackie Harris), Lecy Goranson (Becky Conner-Healy), Sara Gilbert (Darlene Conner), Michael Fishman (D.J. Conner), Emma Kenney (Harris Conner-Healy), Ames McNamara (Mark Conner-Healy), and Jayden Rey (Mary Conner). Actress Sarah Chalke will also be back in a new role, a deviation from her previous role as Becky when Goranson left the show.
Fans can expect that their beloved Conner family have not changed despite the fact that they have aged. The cast will still play the role of a hardworking, blue-collar middle-class family. However, they will also evolve to keep up with the sign of the times. The original executive producer Bruce Helford told Entertainment Weekly, "We want everybody to see something that doesn't really exist on TV anymore — an honest family. These people are very much the core of what's going on in the country right now."
The revival will come at the most opportune time, as "Roseanne" celebrates its 30<sup>th anniversary this year after premiering in October 1988. It is set to return to ABC on Mar. 27 with an hour-long special episode. "Roseanne" will air Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EST, which is the same time slot it originally held for its final two seasons.
