'Roseanne' Revival Premiere Draws a Strong Reaction From Fans
The Conners returned in full force for Tuesday night's revival of "Roseanne."
Season 10 started with back-to-back episodes, earning a massive 18.2 million viewers and a 5.1 rating among adults 18-49.
The premiere quickly joked about and then explained Dan's (John Goodman) death from the Season 9 finale: Dan finds Roseanne's unpublished transcript in the garage, and quips, "This would've sold like hotcakes if only you hadn't killed off the most interesting character."
The revival also established Roseanne (Roseanne Barr) as a Trump supporter with aunt/life coach Jackie (Laurie Metcalf) as a "nasty woman" who wanted to vote for Hillary Clinton until Roseanne put doubts in her mind ... so she went with Jill Stein.
We also saw how the two Beckys would be used together -- with original Becky actress Lecy Goranson planning to be a surrogate for Andrea, played by second Becky actress Sarah Chalke.
The most heartwarming storyline was tied to Darlene (Sara Gilbert) moving back home with her two kids after losing her job. One of those kids is her son, Mark (Ames McNamara), who happens to like to dress in girls' clothing sometimes, which worried Dan enough to give the kid a knife to take to school to fend off bullies.
All in all, it was a topical but still very funny premiere that felt to most fans like old times. However, because there were so many political lightning rods, and Roseanne Ross is a controversial right-wing figure in real life, several people chimed in with criticism:
#Roseanne watching the Rosanne reboot yessssssss and I'm a liberal. It was funny as ever. This conversation was needed. It's not a left or right thing. We the people agree to disagree baby. This is what makes the world go round. pic.twitter.com/jRuymLl9sH
— Richard S. McClain (@mcclain_r) March 28, 2018
The truth is that I loved the original #Roseanne, but she isn't simply a Trump supporter.
She's continually made racist statements against Muslims and spreads #Pizzagate and #SethRich conspiracy theories.
Sometimes you can't separate the real person from the character.
— Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) March 28, 2018
#Roseanne premiere wasn't for the left. It wasn't for the right. It was for real people.
— Jonathan Carrara (@joncarrara) March 28, 2018
People, calm down... if you actually watched #Roseanne tonight you would have noticed that there were jokes made about Hillary supporters AND Trump supporters. It was hardly one-sided or "pro-Trump."
I feel show depicted the reality of a family with different political views.
— Nathan Stark (@TheStarkVoice) March 28, 2018
#Roseanne handled death, divcorce, non-gender conforming children, job loss, and political division in the first two episodes. This show isn't for your side or mine. It's life as we know it. Welcome back,
domestic goddess!— Misty Bowles (@ladybarometer) March 28, 2018
What the hell?? No im not a trump supporter, but i dont go up in arms when a fictional character does. #Roseanne is a tv show representing a different viewpoint. And that's ok.
— Joshua Ovenshire (@TheJovenshire) March 28, 2018
I love how she made it so obvious that the whole point of the episode was that people are multifaceted and it's ok to talk about our differences, especially politically. It isn't gonna kill us. Ha just like the theme song! "What doesn't kill us is making us stronger" ???? #Roseanne
— JenniferLynne (@pinningjenny) March 28, 2018
So because I'm not a Trump supporter I can't like #Roseanne? Get out of here with that BS. Loved it when I was a kid and still love her now , everyone is entitled to their own opinions.
— TarynsWorld (@TarynsWorld) March 28, 2018
Just watched #Roseanne and it was as funny as ever! I sincerely hope it makes enough in ratings to continue. pic.twitter.com/ZvHFHGFSr7
— Elizabeth Carroll (@elicarroll1970) March 28, 2018
I must say, I really enjoyed the #Roseanne reboot. Only two episodes in and it already feels more relevant and life-like than many television shows on today. It feels real and I really appreciate that. We need more shows like it that aren't afraid to address the issues.
— Brenden Mincheff (@BrendenMincheff) March 28, 2018
OMG #Roseanne is so freaking funny!!! "Hello Deplorable" ... "Hi Snowflake" ???? Jackie with the pink pussy hat and the "Nasty Woman T-Shirt" ... I am dying!!! ????????????????
— Gaby Sunshine (@Schatzilein8) March 28, 2018
The character #roseanne is an advocate for her gender nonconformist grandson, while the the real Rosanne supports a POTUS that just banned transgender in the military.
— Jeremy Kirk (@jkirkok) March 28, 2018
Already impressed with #Roseanne because they aren't just showing the divide - they're genuinely showing the perspectives on either side of that divide. People who won't watch are truly missing out on an opportunity to communicate that only this tv family could give. ????????
— The Lobo Lounge (@TheLoboLounge_) March 28, 2018
#Roseanne The Conners are Real people. Sara Gilbert's telling her kid "they will play with you" made me cry. Great acting, funny and real, just like life. >.< pic.twitter.com/I852JnjQco
— @thefirstTessa (@thefirstTessa) March 28, 2018
Marks character was just like me growing up. I can only hope somewhere there is a 8 year old watching this and knowing they are not alone. Well done. #roseanne
— Jordan. (@Jordycrayy) March 28, 2018
Right wing psychos acting like the show is a gift from God. Left wing libtards acting like it's an abomination from Satan himself. And all. The normal people think it was a great reboot. #Roseanne
— Dave Wagner (@Wags7121) March 28, 2018
Hey everybody boycotting #Roseanne . You missed out. It's really good. All sides argued and more. Laurie Metcalf, John Goodman and Melissa Gilbert rocked it. Everyone did.
— marcla green (@mdg276) March 28, 2018
#roseanne started out almost like they were trying too hard with the zingers. But it didn't take long for them to get into their groove. It was like the last 20 yrs away from the #Connors never happened.
— Jodi (@Sonshyn1) March 28, 2018
I am so IN LOVE with the #Roseanne reboot I could weep. Ep2 brought me back to my childhood when I was a young gender chameleon. Bravo to this once again revolutionary show that tackles major issues with heart and humor. @therealroseanne@THEsaragilbert@ReelMFishman@sarahchalke
— Jamie Greco (@JamieGshow) March 28, 2018
"Roseanne" Season 10 continues with Episode 3, "Roseanne gets the Chair" on Tuesday, April 3 on ABC. Here's the synopsis:
"Roseanne's clash with Darlene over her parenting reaches a breaking point; Dan tries to help Roseanne with her bad knee by getting her an elevator chair."
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