‘Roseanne’ lives again as the latest show to get a revival

[ntscuser]

Just about 20 years after it left ABC, “Roseanne” may be returning to TV as the revival trend rolls on



Per Deadline, Roseanne Barr, John Goodman and Sara Gilbert, along with executive producers Tom Werner and Bruce Helford, have signed on to do an eight-episode revival of the hit 1990s sitcom. Laurie Metcalf is in talks to rejoin the cast as well. Barr, who co-created the series, and Gilbert would also serve as EPs.

The show doesn’t have a home yet, but its original destination, ABC, is reportedly among the leading contenders to land the new show. Netflix, the current king of show resurrections and reboots (“Arrested Development,” “Fuller House,” “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life,” “One Day at a Time”), is also in the mix.

“Roseanne” ran from 1988-97 on ABC and was a huge hit, ranking in the Top 5 of the Nielsens for each of its first six seasons and the Top 20 for all but its ninth and final year. Barr and Metcalf won Emmys for their roles, while Goodman and Gilbert each had multiple nominations.

In the series finale in 1997, Roseanne Conner revealed that the entire last season had taken place in her head, following the death of her husband, Dan (Goodman, who was gone for much of the season while filming “The Big Lebowski”). In a 2009 blog post, however, Barr came up with a workaround, writing, “Dan shows up alive after faking his death.”

The “Roseanne” revival comes on the heels of a “Will & Grace” redo at NBC, which will run for 12 episodes next season, in addition to all the ones mentioned above (plus “Hawaii Five-0” on CBS and possibly “Dynasty” on The CW and …)

There’s no word yet on when the show might be ready for a premiere.