So she lost more than some weight; her brain too. Doesn’t come across as having much between her ears.
6
This will undoubtedly become the most popular show on TV; while being the most hated show by all those coastal elites living in their bubbles, and who have so much contempt for flyover America.
4
Living on or near the coast, working in shipyards or farming we weren't 'elite.' We also weren't nasty, crude, hateful. Our lives very much resembled hard-working folks in flyover America for whom we have much regard. So easy to categorize, so stupid to foment hate with snark.
7
No. (You’re living in a coastal elite place just north of me.) We detest ignorance in all forms. Education and being informed should not be mocked.
3
So many stereotypes in one sentence! Congratulations getting so many biases in such a condensed comment. As a California native I can tell you I am far from "in a bubble." Unless, you call things like diversity, open-mindedness, low unemployment, and great weather "a bubble." I don't have contempt for "fly-over" America, whatever that is, because I never think about it that way. I love the entire country in all its richness and variety. Too bad you hate the coastal areas. They are actually quite beautiful.
Birds of a feather flock together. This is never more true than when it applies to the right who will defend to the death Trump's right to be a dishonest, disgusting human being who pulled the wool over the eyes of the desperate and gullible
68
As opposed to the alternative we had last November?
I don't know all the ins and outs of President Trump but I do know he's done quite a few remarkable things in his first year. Hillary, on the other hand, made me vomit in my own mouth a little bit every time she got on TV and launched into one of her personal attacks aimed at me or people like me.
She’s a millionaire. Of course she likes Trump. If she were really working class she’d soon be feeling the pain Trump will cause them.
134
Really? So how have 25 million illegals and green cardholders overstating their time here, helped our citizens' job prospects and wages....and the bad trade deals ?
4
What a brave woman to come out as a Trump supporter! Roseanne should be recognized for having the courage to stand up for what she believes in. And kudos to her for her great success in an atmosphere like Hollywood that spews venom and hate at people who are not card-carrying progressives. I'm impressed.
8
I used to think Roseanne was smart. I cannot separate my disgust for Trump and his supporters from the show. I am surprised at some of the people who are supporting Trump, who is an ignorant and dangerous bigot. I will not be watching.
34
I just watched the premiere. It was okay. However, reading the comments of all of the smug liberal commenters here in the good ol' predictable Times is way better. Really, this is some of the most entertaining, condescending, self-righteous blather ever. It even surpasses the comments on Charles Blow's columns! Where most people probably just think that you are boring killjoys as individuals, the sheer volume of your collective comments, and their pretentiousness, is hilarious! I haven't enjoyed anything so much in weeks. A hearty "Thank you" to one and all.
25
I am a proud liberal, and I think that was very well said.
7
We’re so glad you enjoyed your chuckle. True, it’s difficult to constantly maintain this aura of boring, killjoy pretension while we struggle to reverse the country’s continuing descent into the Marianas trench of ignorance but fear not! When you hit the bottom laughing we genuinely and compassionately will see to it that you are well-covered by universal health insurance, that you can keep your gun, that your daughters will never have to worry about an unwanted, unviable, unaffordable pregnancy and that you will remain free to construct whatever kind of wall you see fit to isolate yourselves from the real world that surrounds you.
8
Dear Mr. Hall, the line of thought of all those "pretentious" people you find so funny is the very line of thought which made democracy possible in the world in general and in the US in particular. If you do not have to bow to noblemen anymore, if you do not have to sweat in factories fifteen hours a day for subsistance wages it is thanks to those people and that line of thought.
The line of prejudices you love so much on the other hand would have you either starving, or making other people starve.
So you are quite right in saying "Thank you".
You owe liberals a lot.
1
Roseanne asserts that her sitcom is an "accurate" portrayal of Trump supporters and I truly believe her when she says that. Their reality is as real as a nostalgic reboot from the 90's that no one actually wants except people who won't be around in thirty years.
12
I doubt Roseanne knows much about typical working-class Trump supporters at this point. Trump supporters I've met are more middle class - although many come from blue-collar backgrounds. Only thing they seem to have in common is their racism - and belief in authoritarianism. The main characters from the '90s show were definitely against both.
As for the reboot being something "no one actually wants except people who won't be around in thirty years" - if you're referring to people over age 55-60, there are some 75-80 million of us - and networks don't program for 30 years from now, but for who's watching now.
- And I wouldn't be too sure about who will or won't be around in 30 years.
5
If the people who reflexively decided never to watch the show - have you even read the article ? The Roseanne character will be the only one to support Trump. The rest will be anti-Trump. Are you hysterically against any suggestion that someone, anywhere could support Trump? Shows that include characters of diverise political beliefs reflect thje reality of society. Refusal to even entertain a contrary viewpoint doomes us all to ignorance.
We then become no different than the Russian population who seem to be just fine with one sided government sponsored news reporting, because it reinforces their beliefs.
9
There's no way that I can watch a show where the main character is a vocal supporter of Trump.
55
My thoughts EXACTLY!
8
I voted for Hillary Clinton, and remain haunted by her loss. Regardless, she ran an awful campaign with a broken party apparatus in a restless country still looking for justice after the Great Recession. Cheers to Roseanne for her wit and her ability to reflect middle class reality. Debt, abusive workplaces (if you can get them to classify you as an employee these days), health problems, and desperation are the majority of people's day to day. Even after 2016 we have yet to hear anything honest about this from either of the major parties. If Roseanne plays her cards right this reboot can be the 21st century All In The Family.
13
Who cares if she supports Trump?! The NY Times brings this up why exactly?
1
There appears to be a reckoning that we're heading towards that we seem to deny - art and artists.
That said, I too would like to hear from the other side - funny can be funny. But not when it becomes a platform for a person to shout fire in a crowded movie theater.
I for one, won't be watching. But on the off chance that it brings us closer as a country and helps us address this long overdue reckoning, then I am all for it.
1
Big Whoop! Way too much time being spent on this topic. Stop chewing the scenery. While I think it's refreshing to see something like this done there's nothing new here. It just hasn't been done in a long time. Norman Lear smashed the political, sexual, racist and feminist barriers that encapsulated the TV business in the 1970's. He propelled TV from the 1950's into the modern age and took us from the safety of Leave It To Beaver to All In The Family, Good Times, The Jeffersons, Sanford & Son and Maude and changed America in ways that were unimaginable at the time.
CBS was so nervous about the first episode of All In The Family they ran a disclaimer just before the show started: "The program you are about to see is All in the Family. It seeks to throw a humorous spotlight on our frailties, prejudices, and concerns. By making them a source of laughter, we hope to show— in a mature fashion— just how absurd they are."
And that's all this is. Absurd.
1
He can have her.
3
How we gobble up Media Myths! The truth: many more ‘working class’ Americans are democrats than are republicans. Many more voted for Clinton than for Trump.
1
Mr. Healy--Could there have been more about if Roseanne liked the character issues of President Trump, less about his policies that do have some counterpart in government. Did she like him when he mimic someone with palsy, when mean to the humans involved in DACA, when he disgraced the Kahn family and the widow of the black soldier from Miami who was killed in Syria? I can handle the policies but I refuse to
to accept the deeply flawed character of our president.
3
What Tom says.....(below.....)
1
I wasn't going to watch the new Roseanne. But after reading this Arts Op-Ed, I watched a couple On-Demand cable episodes in the middle of last night. The first thing I noticed was that Roseanne has had a lot of plastic surgery just as many of us lower middle class folks have. The second thing was that, if one was hoping for actual discussion of the issues that divide this country, I didn't see any of that on this show. It was mostly shouting at each other. In that respect, it was very real-life. I previously saw an episode of Blackish in which the characters had a very good and balanced discussion of the Black Lives Matter movement. I'm thinking that the intersection of the sets of people who will watch Roseanne and those who Blackish will consist of a very small set of elements. By the end of my viewing I thought that, if the Connors were black and had made the same bad life decisions as the Connors, Trump supporters would say they deserve the hardships that their bad life decisions have brought upon them and have no sympathy for them.
1
Recall her very disrespectful singing of our National Anthem. Hard to forgive her for that performance.
1
The supporting characters were always the draw. Roseanne came across as a vulgar bully. Yes some good humor and yes some tender family love. Why all the hype? Nothing compelling enough to interest me but if it draws people in for a good laugh more power to the reboot.
1
Roseanne Barr may willingly suspend disbelief to realize her character but when she ignores Trump's abusive, vindictive and venal nature she's just another dangerous apologist.
4
Almost a week now since the first episode of the 'Roseanne' reboot posted and by all the blow back from the narrow minded it seems to be accomplishing just what Ms. Barr and Co. intended. And yes, I applaud Ms Barr's awareness that occasionally it is useful for "Liberals" to have our tails tweeked just enough to make us examine our assumptions, and to question just what it is that gives us the right to refer to ourselves by that label. And no, its only an indication of Barr's 'Liberal' critics own limitations and prejudices that they cannot acknowledge this fact , and to simply take an opportunity to relax and laugh at themselves.
1
I just learned that The Honeymooners is available on you tube. Go check it out if you want working class comedy done by real artists.
Roseanne revealed her deplorable humor in her infamous National Anthem and now her whole tribe will go on to trash democracy. Lo and behold, they have come out from under the house and into the open with their racism. ABC is riding on FOX coat-tails. I hope they lose their shirts.
2
Roseanne believes in the QAnon conspiracy theory that claims that many Democratic opponents of Trump are involved in a Satanic child sex-trafficking ring. Proof that ya don't have to be smart to write comedy!
2
It doesn't actually cost money to watch it. It's on ABC, free to air television.
I will no longer watch the revival of the Roseanne show.
I am voting at the ballot box and with my TV remote control.
4
Analyze this show all you want. Simply put, the show served and serves the othering narrative.
1
I have admired Roseanne's support of working poor but if she's going to become a public figure again...she should expect some pushback from the other side. I hope she'll undertake a fact-based dialogue about her support for trump. She did not trash the other side in this interview and I don't think that's who she is ....and that makes me think there's hope she will have space to let her views be known and listen to the other side. Or, she may be like so many other citizens and not want a deeper dive on the issues because objectivity is hard and conspiracy theories are easy. I hope this champion of the working poor is not a conspiracy theory adherent b/c she's not lazy and she isn't stupid. Beleif in conspiracy theories allows people to easily have an opinion that relieves their discomfort w/out any work at all. I don't think that's who she is......_
1
What a head scratcher. Why does Barr think this way? It doesn’t make any sense at all.
Maybe, just maybe she is one of the many Americans who has been completely hoodwinked by the ongoing, massive social media propaganda campaign masterminded by our enemy, Russia with assistance from Cambridge Analytics, Steve Brannon, Rebecca and Robert Mercer and above all, Rupert Murdoch.
It all makes sense now.
6
It is painfully obvious she didn’t study any Stanislavski during her hiatus.
2
'Just say no' to this woman. Maybe she'll go away again.
1
Yes, explain the trump support and LGBTQ and Darlene's black boyfriend and killing solar and killing park lands and well, explain any of it logically.
2
NYT, please stop with the endless banter on this topic. Won’t watch, don’t want to watch. Trump should not be normalized. The particular ignorance that renders 1/3 of this country (A) incapable of applying logic to any fantasy conspiracy or blatant disregard for science excreted by Faux News and it’s loudest harpy, Hannity, and (B) unable to piece together the stunning hypocrisy of same (exhibit A — compare Fox commentary on Obama potentially talking with countries like North Korea: “Traitor!” Vs Trump doing the same: “Heroic!” ) is not something that should be celebrated on any show. Quit rubber necking on the highway to hell. Please.
10
Excellent comment. Don't normalize Trump.
2
I say keep watching, let's wait for the arc, I am feeling like this is about to take a very clever turn.
What is the point of preaching to the converted? She made a very funny and human take on middle america , with I am quite sure the intention of trying to find middle ground between us all.
Instead she has been rewarded with the most scathing name calling, in the New York times no less. And the show WAS funny. I remember how she was treated the first time around in the eighties, and now it has been 20 years and we have grown not at all, where are all the me too people on this one? she has moved mountains , she is a remarkable self made woman. She refuses to be defined by any one linear way of thought. I am far from a Trump supporter, and I am fascinated with the point I am hoping she is about to make.
Hooray for Roseanne Barr.
2
She will not make that point. There is no arc. She loves Trump.
2
I still don’t understand why people are so upset or disappointed. Roseanne’s character is a middle aged midwestern low middle class white woman. They gave Trump the election! Personally, I would be more surprised if she would have written her character to be a Hillary supporter. Then that would have been hypocritical, that would have been actual pandering. Those of us who live in cities have to stop telling people in rural areas what to think and start listening a bit more. Now, I am not saying that I think her support of Trump should be seen as a positive thing, even if that is what she intended it is up to the audience to see past that. But I think it is more about humanizing the other side, not the republicans, but the people that voted for them.
If you watch the show you will see that sure, she is a Trump supporter, but she also believes that what a woman does with her body is her choice. Nothing is as black and white as both republicans and democrats want us to believe. Watch the show or don’t watch it. I am pretty certain that Roseanne’s intended audience were not NYT readers, but I am interested in the narrative. The moment I perceive she is trying to campaign for Trump rather than depict an American family I’ll stop watching.
7
This interview is exhibit A for the argument that we should not listen to political advice given by celebrities, whether they support the left or the right
Barr betrayed extreme ignorance regarding social and political affairs.
2
"I think Pence is not as good as Trump, not as accepting, and not as, you know — I think that he’s way more radical." RB
Translation: Pence isn't as rich and is not in show business.
1
Look at the picture. She has the same sneering arrogant face of her idol Trump.
Like Trump her new show will go down very soon. e
5
Oh, I so hope you right.
One of the underlying themes or the show, as I remember it, was definitely a fragile economic status in the family. However, in the intervening years, it looks as if Roseanne has managed to spend thousands of dollars on facial plastic surgery. How is that to be explained?
5
Gee, Rosanne and Hillary are starting to look like sisters these days.
I wonder how many episodes into the series before trump makes a "cameo" appearance.
2
How did Roseanne and her husband who were morbidly obese 20 years ago, suddenly become healthy looking and slim when they are poor and almost lost their home?
Something ain’t right.
7
Went on a diet?
Yeah thank goodness these multi millionaire actors with facelifts can tell us how it is for the working class..
3
Barr is just another hypocritical thrice married rightist knob with zero morals, ethics or shame.
Like the rest of 'em.
8
Whenever I hear rightists like roseanne barr,don trump, ted nugent and laura ingraham Hobson from Arthur pops to mind:
"Normally, someone would have to go to a bowling alley to meet someone of your stature."
11
Just what we need for our television viewing pleasure; a tired sitcom resurrected with a political bent. Charming!
8
Right - there are no liberal sitcom’s. Why is everything have to be a fight? Can’t people just agree to disagree anymore?
3
Come on, she was a dirt bag before, did you expect change? This is in part, part of the problem in America. With few exceptions entertainment and sports luminaries are vacuous. This is the one that butchered the national anthem and then grabbed her crotch! Yeah, her politics are worth following. Lets start a national movement called, "think for yourself".
6
IMHO, the Trump shtick is meant to arouse interest in the show and the dynamic between Roseanne and Jackie on this subject is meant to instruct the Trump supporters on his true purpose. I think they will continue this conflict as teaching moments to slowly bring the Trumpettes around to reality and common sense.
The show's writing is thought-provoking and deliberate. Roseanne will slowly come around and her/Trump's supporters will hopefully be efficiently instructed about the con they have invested in. The resources are there for political thought clarity.
2
Regarding politics, that is one of the most bizarre (support Trump because he's better than Pence) and inaccurate (Trump is working for the middle class) reasonings I've ever read. But what do I know? I just read the news in newspapers from 4 different countries to try to piece together modern-day events.
9
I can't believe all the news about Roseanne, I always found her to be an uneducated loud mouth. Who cares about who she is or what she has to say? All we need to knew is that she is a Trump supporter and that explains everything. I can't believe I'm even writing about her. Don't we have more important things to be concerned about in this country? I'm disappointed in NYT, for writing so many articles about her. Enough!
2
Really bad interview, the interviewer had an agenda against Roseanne and it is visible even to me who oppose fiercely Trump and believe that her character is unpleasant
1
I'm not going to watch. Roseanne shows absolute willful ignorance and may be doing it for the money. What she denies is all the harm this man is doing. Deporting wholly innocent people (some even naturalized citizens guilty of nothing), many who were here seeking asylum. They have been now by Trump decree sent back to countries from which they fled. Well, some of them are dead now as a result! That's the Trumpworld of Make America Great Again which has trashed every American virtue which once valued a common good. If ugly, fraudulent, and evil writ large is great! Roseanne is no longer funny. She's complicit.
7
The tragedy here is that Roseanne Barr, not her TV incarnation, believes that Donald Trump has been going around the world breaking up child sex trafficking rings. In person. If this is some sort of far-right fairy tale that she believes, then there are doubtless thousands more who believe this nonsense, too. Logic does not persuade anyone to support Trump, but gullibility and a deep hatred for Barack Obama apparently does the trick.
9
An an annoying person. Whatever. I won’t be watching.
1
I loved the original show - it was the closest thing on TV to our real life at home back then. We kids fought - to get along and get through school, our parent(s) fought to just get by and keep us in line. Roseanne and Dan had sharp tongues using both wit and wisdom - just like the adults in our family circle.
We looked forward to the new one - it's okay but not really believable. The Roseanne and Dan from before would never have blindly bowed down before the blowhard billionaire b.s. from the likes of Trump. Yes, both those characters may have lost faith in Dems or Greens and voted Republican, and there is a very tiny chance they might even have been sucked in by the illiterate billionaires "buy-in-to-me" baloney. BUT those parents, from that original series would never have willingly continued to drink the kool-aid once it was painfully obvious (across the entire free-world) that they had simply been used to make the Rich-Right-White even richer.
Roseanne the person now might be all Trumpy-lovey (she is rich, white and right after all) but that fictional character from back then - no way. She'd have been ripping Trump a new one from the first promise he failed to keep and laying on the burns to every Republican phony who keeps cheering on his lies, insults and degradation of everything Americans pride themselves on.
I would have loved to see that 90's champion of the underdogs comeback and hold the latest a-hole in power to account - she was awesome.
13
Roseanne repeats the lines of how Trump because president because he represented a large portion of the "forgotten" working class. We commonly see this viewpoint in the media and among Democratic politicians trying to rationalize Trump etc.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the evidence was pretty overwhelming that Trump won the election due to intense Russian social media manipulation, interference and GOP gerrymandering.
6
Right, Democrats have never gerrymandered and typical liberal response is blame it on everyone but yourselves
1
My life was fine without Roseanne and would be finer without all Americans that watch her and support Trump.
3
"My husband told me he wanted more space. So I locked him out of the house." Where's THAT Roseanne?
3
She strikes me as a typical tRump supporter. Not well informed. But - a whole lot richer.
5
Why is this bullying funny? I grew up with a bully and don’t want to relive my youth. I won’t watch the show.
6
In my opinion the show doesn't need a laugh track.
It's able to stand on it's own.
Please let the laugh track go.
1
Roseanne Barr is a repellent figure and now worse with her support of the cretin. The show will not succeed in the long run as it just continues the daily horror we're living in our disunited US.
8
Thank Goodness that there are so many millions more like her.
Garz, and so many million more not.
7
Millions who believe Donald Trump goes around the globe, breaking up child sex trafficking rings? I was astounded to hear Roseanne promote this far-right fake news, then doubly astounded to discover that so many other Americans fell for this ridiculous story. As Donald Trump himself never said, "If you stand for nothing, you'll fall for anything."
4
Keeping up the myth in off and on TV (hey, it's one-in-the-same), from today's OP-ED page ...
During a Television Critics Association panel promoting the show, Ms. Barr said, “it was working-class people who elected Trump.”This myth persists, but it is only a myth. Forty-one percent of voters earning less than $50,000 voted for Mr. Trump while 53 percent voted for Hillary Clinton. Forty-nine percent of voters earning between $50,000 and $100,000 voted for Mr. Trump while 47 percent voted for Mrs. Clinton. The median income of these voters was $72,000, while the median income of Hillary Clinton voters was $61,000. A significant number of middle-class and wealthy white people contributed to Trump’s election.
7
Every once in awhile I read something about television and am again thankful I have never had one, or voluntarily watched one. At breakfast this morning, I was reading the NYT on my lap top while my grand daughter read comics on hers. We shared our interests with each other and made light conversation. Then it occurred to me, this is exactly what I did at breakfast with my grand father when I was her age 50 years ago. Television is a distraction from so many other much more worth while activities. Too bad. It's such a waste. Besides, there will never be another Honeymooners and Rosanne is no Jackie Gleason.
6
Too bad it's become all about Trump because the show is funny and balanced but if watching it is taken as some kind of Trump approval I guess I won't be watching any more.
11
I thought it would be fun to watch Roseanne again. Unfortunately I won't be able to stand it if she plays and is a Trump supporter. It would only make me mad!
9
OK I am thinkin...just thinkin here that maybe Roseanne is gonna rise up like a Phoenix and start establishing a middle ground for America...there gd sure ain't no middle ground now so what in the hell have we got to lose?
5
She's simply appalling in every way. And her answers re: Trump were the answers of an ignorant coward. Those macadamia nuts in Hawaii have more sense and insight than Roseanne Barr does.
7
I have a new respect for Rosanne and her ideals. Not because the show has a conservative bent, but because she's not trying to be PC all the time. Maybe its because I'm 67 and say what I think. I didn't think I'd like the retro show, but this is one I'll continue to watch. I hope she and the show have a long-runnung success.
1
I'm sorry, anyone who pushed Planet Pizza and Seth Rich conspiracy theories on her Twitter account does not get to suddenly ask everyone to get behind the President. And her insistence that Trump's personal beliefs (of course he's socially liberal, we all know that) should excuse his inability to stop policy that runs counter to it, is silly. She is without credibility. #HardPass
11
Rosanne was gross back then and is worse now because there has been no growth as a human being in the 21 years.
Barr is now feeding just like Trump with all the attention she is getting and can't get enough. There are no lessons learned after all this time. Just like Trumps presidency the show will end in tragedy.
2
He defends nazis.
That SHOULD be enough for any moral person who remembers the horrors of The Holocaust.
11
The folks criticizing this show obviously did not watch the first two episodes. They were about love and family. The cross-dressing boy was treated with concern, with the family worrying about his first day of school. All the family members, while questioning the concept of trans, obviously love their grandson and are willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and help him in any way they can, without judgement.
TLDR: Watch the show before judging it. It is a show about family and love.
4
Stormy beat out Roseanne--gotta love it.
7
Roseanne has much in common with Trump. They're both rich, privileged, loud, vulgar, and uninformed.
29
watched the show, where "Roseanne Connor" declaimed that universal health care is unrealistic because "we can't afford it." Without even getting into the tax policy that excuses her hero Donald Trump from paying taxes ("because I'm smart"), what about Roseanne Barr, a multi-millionaire, who is so far from having to worry about her own healthcare expenses that she can squander many many thousands of dollars on frivolous plastic surgery? Talk is cheap from the rich, pretending to be poor.
23
Yes, tax policy makes for great sitcoms.
1
We need a more honest conversation with a carful and genuine selection of words.
Saying, we can’t afford universal health care given our current tax policy and budget priorities (e.g., the military) is a very accurate statement.
A good response would be something like “we should refocus x dollars from y to cover the universal health care expense of z.
Also, I don’t fault Trump for not paying a lot in taxes. John Kerry took steps to avoid MA taxes, remember where he stored his yacht to avoid MA’s yacht tax?
The real issue is how politicians use our tax code to change our behavior and buy power from the rich. We need a simple tax that is flat (e.g., 15% and 25%) and is on all revenue. Businesses and people should get no dedications (no writing off losses or children) and no loops holes. The first 30k you earn can be tax free, rate A, e.g., 15%, on all income from 30k to 150k and then rate B on everything above 150k. Of course the A and B rates would need to be based on budget needs.
This is a simple and easy to understand tax code. The penalties for cheating should be very stiff, like a 10x tax penalty and a mandatory 5 year jail sentence.
A system like this would be transparent and fair. W2 employees don’t get all these business tax gifts and neither should rich real-estate developers.
1
Let's not forget that Trump campaigned on "free healthcare for everybody--the best healthcare!" Like everything else he campaigned on, that was cynical dishonesty. He promised citizens what they wanted, they voted for him, then he turned his back on them after the election. We'll see if Trump can fool Roseanne and her misinformed ilk yet again in November.
1
No thanks to white trash TV.
9
Growing up, I watched Roseanne and thought it was a funny show. I was excited to hear it was coming back. I am a moderate democrat. I cant stand Trump- always thought he was a pig. I voted for Obama and Hillary. My parents used to be apolitical but now watch Fox News religiously and sadly, they drink the Hannity Kool Aid. It is totally frustrating now to even have a conversation with them about most things these days without them trying to blame Hillary or Obama in some way. So, I watched the show and it made me laugh. It gave my mother and I something to laugh about. We laughed and enjoyed that show together all through the 90s before this divide that we have in our family right now. I'm sorry, I don't really see how watching Roseanne is validating anything that Trump does. That being said, it annoys me to see the Cheeto on tv bragging and taking credit. am I disappointed that Roseanne Barr likes him? Yes! but just like my family, I don't stop liking people just because of their political views. it's being divisive just in the other direction. Almost every family is divided over politics right now in our country. . Per Sara Gilbert who plays "Darlene" she said: "We really wanted to show a family dealing with the divide over politics that can still love each other and come together in the end.”. that is exactly what it did. I did not feel the show was embracing Trump's views in any way. In fact, just the opposite.
11
I must admit being surprised that a TV comedy personality chose to see America as it is. Disney-ABC gave away millions in revenues by ditching its second-biggest series simply because Tim Allen voiced American ideals and not just what Hollywoodies think.
If Disney-ABC blew away its investors' cash over Tim Allen, how long will it tolerate Roseanne? Progressivism is so unstable and unsustainable that without constant propping up in the media it dissolves into raw emotion.
2
I have often enjoyed Roseanne's show over the years and I'm happy for her success. I also enjoyed All in The Family which was also successful even though Archie Bunker was usually on the wrong side of every issue.
3
Carroll O'Connor's show also exploded liberal mythology, which is why people stayed home just to watch it. How interesting that these names are so similar.
You can always hold an audience by blowing up B.S. in any of its modern forms, but the gift of conservatism is that it can blow up societal foolishness without becoming an anger storm, which late-night hosted TV has done.
1
Personally, I couldn't watch past the first 10 minutes. Awful show. The jokes just weren't funny at all. I guess it's a different type of humor, one that I do not get. Maybe it will appeal to the honey boo boo/duck dynasty crowd, though?
5
Just what we need. Another forum to stir up division between the two tribes. Roseanne Barr was a break thru artist in the 80s. She has lost her way and has zero credibility anymore. But I guess she'll make another fortune. No thanks.
4
We are sooo disappointed in you Roseanne! The premise of your new show is great, like the old one was, except this time you really are the redneck. As much as we also dislike Pence, Trump is the worst example of a man you can imagine: sociopath; white supremacist; the birth of "birther"; mysogynist; notorious liar; major bully; petty; mean spirited in every instance; a con-artist totally misleading his base of simple middle and lower-middle class voters--an "easy mark" as they say. He's never been for the
workers. And he's proud of not paying taxes. This is what you're identifying with? The whole premise of your show is sticking up for the little guys and for diversity in our culture. He is the opposite of this.
17
Democrats can't stand whiney billionaires and millionaires like trump and barr.
There is something profoundly disquieting about a woman who lives on a plush Hawaiian plantation (which is about as far away from her beloved heartland as an American can get) and whining about how tough she's had it.
I have better things to do with my time.
11
Isn't she the very definition of "coastal elite"? Man, there's one born every minute.
1
I didn't care for the show in its original run because I found the characters to be crass and rough and a very stereotypical, awful depiction of the average "working class" American family.
I don't think the nation needs another outspoken, loud, crass voice in the mix. I certainly don't want to hear it.
Rude behavior and bad language and incivility are contagious.
I opt for civility, decency, and kindness. These are contagious too.
8
How has America changed since Roseanne was on? We no longer think her caricature of middle class Americans is funny and her comments about Trump show she has very little understanding of what is going on in America! Should have stayed off the air, we don't care what you think Roseanne!
13
I don't remotely share her politics, dislike them, and find her offensive. This is exactly why I will be watching the show. I'm interested in finding a thread that shows the logic behind people supporting Trump. I've yet to find one, but in order to fight his reelection, I have to get a grip on what matters to his supporters. I'm hopeful that her characterization will help with that.
4
Her very comments on what Trump stands for reveal the truth: there is no logic here and no reflection of facts. She obviously just relates to a loud-mouthed, lying bully.
5
Here Jeffrey I'll try to help you out. 1st, don't try to "get a grip" by watching prime time comedy television. Get out of Portland, visit and talk to some people in rural Alabama, Missouri, Texas, Utah, Indiana or Wyoming. We voted for Trump because we really don't like the Clintons and we disagree with many of the policy stances of the Democrats. Many (though I didn't) voted for him in the primary because they don't see much difference between the establishment Republicans and the Democrats. We see a distinct difference between legal and illegal immigrants and we want policies enforced that treats them different. We think our trade policies have favored foreign manufacturing jobs over ours. We think we are taxed more than we should be, that government doesn't efficiently or effectively use our tax dollars, and that it's not the responsibility of the wealthy in this country to pay for all the stuff that the less wealthy want (college education, free healthcare, full retirement benefits, housing, food etc etc etc). We believe we have the freest, greatest country in history, and we believe our military and our capitalist society has given us that and protected it. We think both need to be kept strong in order to preserve that. We believe the Founders wrote what they wrote, though imperfect they wrote a lot of wisdom, and it is up to legislators to make any changes to it, not for judges or justices to create those changes. Come on down, we'll be glad to share more.
1
It's about economics. Care to sponsor me?
1
I see that the Roseanne premiere scored huge ratings. She's celebrating today by firing her writers.
2
And the ratings for the first reboot show? Huge.
If you have no idea why, you should feel very poorly educated about the country you live in.
Roseanne Barr's foolhardy support for Trump (in actuality) ensures I won't watch "Roseanne" the TV program.
With all the serious things occurring in the world and US, the television ratings obsessed Trump has time to call Ms Barr. Yet won't criticize Putin,
and disparages people making efforts to get gun control and environmental protection back on track. Sad.
While, the sister character played by the terrific Laurie Metcalf doesn't like Trump, she (in the show) threw her vote away on third party candidate Jill Stein.
NOTE: to people who voted for third party candidates (in reality, as opposed to a TV show) or wrote in nonsense names, your votes did the exact opposite of your goal. They gave Trump his relatively slim electoral college victory.
Now that really IS sad.
Wake Up.
12
All In The Family it was not, the first time around.
Based on this article it will not be again, this time around.
So I will not be watching Roseanne this time around, just like last time.
What goes around comes around...again.
3
I am a black female. I grew up watching Roseanne and The Cosby Show. The Cosby Show represented the family that I aspired to be while Roseanne was closer to my reality. I grew up in a middle class household in the suburbs of MD, but I could relate to the situations on the original Roseanne: parents wanting to see their children do better than they could; becoming small business owners so they could build their own future instead of someone else’s; and that whole last season- which turned out to be a dream about winning the lottery – doesn’t everyone do that? I loved that they broached difficult topics with laughter and hard love. It made me believe that I could always be able to find humor in what may appear to be desperate situations. Needless to say, I was really looking forward to the revival of the show…and I was not disappointed. I am so glad this show is back, especially in this depressing political climate. I appreciate that Roseanne’s political leanings are completely opposite of mine. These days, it’s easy for me to lump voters into wildly inaccurate stereotypes, but this show lets me know that not every Trump supporter is a narrow-minded, homophobic, racist. These first 2 episodes also remind me to find humor in hard situations. Life has its ups and downs and that’s not lost on the show. I look forward to finding out what happens to the Conner clan, as well as opening my mind to the views expressed by those who may not align with my political views.
11
If you have a landline and Type II diabetes you probably loved the show.
If you left that kind of horse and buggy technology behind years ago and have a college degree you probably hated it.
8
Yup, and that sums it up.
1
Well, at least she doesn’t use an egg spoon.
3
Facts: 64% of non-college educated women voted for Trump. Roseanne Conner/Barr represents them and their political bent.
6
We know...trust us, we know.
3
But every time we try to engage with you heart-landers you tell us to leave you alone.
Actually you usually scream it!!!
So then we leave you alone and then you whine that we "fly-over" your states.
We are so tired of your uninformed petulance that we honestly do not want to be 'We The People' with you whiney heartland children.
With that in mind, is there any chance you roseanne barr types will give secession another go?
Trust us, we won't stop you this time 'round.
Heck, we'll even help y'all pack.
12
Just like I won't be friends with people who voted for Trump.
I will never watch the new Roseanne.
5
Don't stop being friends with trumpets.
They need us more than they know.
5
Just as nasty now.
4
Love the new show. Great reunion, and very promising. Definitely is funnier than anything else on TV, and more real, relatable. Roseanne has still got it. Laurie Metcalf is absolutely spot on. Sara has not moved since twenty years ago... still cute as the younger squabbling daughter. Dan is looking a little older... but hell... he is a little older. Love the possibilities that have been introduced... except for one. There is a glaring casting problem that is the grain of sand in an other wise WELL oiled machine.
The new daughter of D.J. is not buyable... on any level... that she belongs in this family. Why? First of all... everyone could see Barack Obama was half white... not from two black parents. Obviously, DJ has supposedly married a black woman, who is supposedly in the armed forces overseas. But, given that.... apparently none of DJs genes made it into the pool, or this daughter was produced by a guy who DJs wife cheated on him with.
Obviously, the network and producers felt it was time to be up to modern trends and have some color in the cast... even if a show about classic "white trash" does not really fit with that formula. That is the only glaring problem with the new show.
Overall, the show is funny enough to get belly laughs from most informed and mature viewers. Those who are not in on the background for the politics and inner family struggles... are not going to get it. But, for me... it's a home run.
1
ROSEANNE has always been an underrated show in patriarchal America. But Rosanne Connor could be the Archie Bunker of our age. As a teenager I loved the uniqueness of its working class ideology (the trip to the mall episode is a true classic). It has the potential to appeal to folks across the political spectrum, if it doesn't become didactic. Time will tell. Here's hoping.
4
I watched it last night on Hulu. It was funny. It is a good reflection of both sides, actually taking on a stronger liberal slant. The fact that the sisters made up at the end is uncommon; families have been torn apart. My own mother-in-law called her cousin a ‘deplorable’ at Thanksgiving. Our government is setting the stage for new sitcom plots. You can’t make this stuff up even if you tried.
4
Is it just me or does it feel like Hillary voters hate Trump voters but Trump voters don’t hate Hillary voters?
Even when Obama won in 2012, I don’t recall Romney voters hating family members who voted differently. I’m sure there were a few but I don’t recall this mass hate.
Why are liberals so hateful? What ever happened to having different opinions? It is sad that liberals think who you vote for is their most defining characteristic.
It is an election, the world hasn’t ended, and in two or six years we will have somebody new as president. If you are so concerned about who is president perhaps we should focus our energy on removing powers from the executive branch, powers that Obama and Bush expanded. It shouldn’t impact people that much who the president is, especially two years after the election!
2
Will- are you kidding?? Trump and his people screaming how much they hated Clinton at their rallies looked like crazy people. Look at the footage- it was and is vicious, absolutely vicious.
8
I guess those "Lock Her Up" chants came from a place of love huh Will K?
1
I wanted to like the renewed Roseanne. Really. I enjoyed the first several seasons of the original until the character Roseanne Conner became an insufferable control freak, like the woman who portrays her. You know, the word that rhymes with witch, to quote another detestable woman.
I am sorry to report that Roseanne's character has not changed. If anything, she is even more of what Barbara Bush said rhymed with witch.
The original series employed politics in a general, non-partisan way that was refreshing. The episodes that aired on Tuesday were nothing but political, and I will not watch this program again.
I'll stick to reruns of the original series that are airing everywhere.
22
The other detestable woman, I'm sure you're referring to Hilary Clinton. You are right about Clinton, but I'm afraid I like Roseanne
Rosanne Barr has always been like Donald Trump. An opportunistic, obnoxious and loud mouth person that calls people names and looks to make a name for herself by being disagreeable, trashy and outrageous. So now she is that wealthy woman (net worth of $80 million) owning a macadamia farm in Hawaii who identifies with, really cares about blue collar Americans and wants to express their concerns in "Roseanne Part 2". Right! LOL! Like Trump she sees another opportunity to make money while using the working class.
9
trump propaganda now taken to 18 million tv viewers under the guise of entertainment. How pitiful for Roseann Barr and her tv character who truly believe trump's populist claims to support the blue collar worker in America. trump is lining his pockets and those of his rich friends on the backs of those blue collar workers whose blindness is staggering. Our Liar in Chief wins again.
11
I don't really watch TV...movies mostly. I never really have, but I do remember this show from when I was younger. I dislike it then and I don't plan on wasting my time with it now. I tried to like a respect this woman...everyone seemed to think she was some kind of feminist demigod(ess). I thought her foul-mouthed, foul-thoughted and no where near as smart or savy as she seemed to want people to think she was. Reading this I feel exactly the same way. And that isn't even getting to her politics. She sounds like a conservative soundtrack. I'll pass. Thanks anyway.
4
It's great that she represents the other side of the coin. But she should be more honest about Trump. I would respect her more if she said "Yes, he's a liar, sexual predator and complete opportunist and has no moral compass. But I like him anyway and it's my right to so." But she simply can't pretend he is anything otherwise, unless you discount verifiable proof that Trump himself has provided. It's a bit like saying Bill Clinton didn't really have affairs.
81
I respect Ms. Barr for making Roseanne a Trump supporter, that seems pretty realistic. However, she is totally wrong about Trump herself. She says he is not homophobic, yet he just ordered the military to ban most transgendered people. She says he is not anti abortion rights, yet he nominated Gorsuch to the Supreme Court that most definitely is. There is the whole problem he has with undocumented people, which, in Roseanne's world, she would recognize as having a lot of similarities with herself...being mostly working class, and just trying to survive day to day. And no, it was not NAFTA that busted the Unions, it was Republican policies over the last 40 years that have done that. I used to think Roseanne Barr was a pretty smart cookie, but alas, I think I was wrong. It appears she does not know history from before 1994, she seems to have fallen for Russian propaganda regarding Trump AND regarding Hillary Clinton, who she used to support. This is a shame, but I think we can hold her up as the best example of what this propaganda did to our electorate.
Back on the old show, they were not political at all...just dealing with everyday problems like any old family on the block. And with great humor. The new show seems a bit strained, and the politics are just too "in your face" to seem real. The whole "she wants to eat the placenta" bit trying to make the point that Ms. Barr feels that things have just gone too far left was strained and stupid.
67
The military is about war fighting not P.C. social consciousness Why should our taxes pay for hormone treatments?
2
Why should our blue-state taxes be taken by insolvent red-state parasites?
7
I agree! Let’s shrink the size of the federal government so states can be more independent. If we cut some federal programs, like Medicaid, then those red states won’t need your blue state money...
1
I read this and I watched her interview on Jimmy Kimmel. Her rationale for supporting Trump verges on banal. Surely she has had enough time to think about it to have a more insightful answer to the question about her support for him. On the other hand, from watching the old series, she often seems content to take actions merely because they are provocative, and then see where it goes. This also strikes me as the view held by many Trump voters: break everything and see how it gets reassembled. This approach to politics angers me because there is real and lasting damage to people, the environment, etc., while the Trump voters giggle at the spoiled man-child strolling through the China shop, whirling around with a golf club. If you cannot take a more adult view of the consequences of policy matters, 1) please don't run for public office, and, 2) please consider leaving the voting to adults.
11
Never a big fan one way or the other - I respect her success.
But sadly the way she seems to represent Trump voters is they deny what Trump has said & stands for. So I guess she is playing the part well... she should just respond "fake news: to anything she doesn't like. if she really wanted to articulate supporting Trump she'd get behind more of the hate & fear that seems to be dividing this country & causing support for Trump.
3
I don’t think Trump supporters deny who he is, they just don’t care. Like how most Germans didn’t care who Hitler really was even though they knew.
When you are unhappy with how things are going in society and feel that walls are closing in on you, you tend to not care about things that you don’t perceive will affect you. Think of it this way, most Americans would feed a homeless person who came to the door if they had excess food but most Americans wouldn’t sacrifice food for their family to feed a stranger if they didn’t have a enough. Our values as a species and country are very much based on “does this affect me or not.”
4
Yet one more demonstration of how so many Trump supporters have no idea what DT really values and what he scorns. He's not even a very good shape-shifting conman, and yet so many people keep supporting this faux prez who not only doesn't care a whit for them, but who we all know likely belittles them behind closed door--cause he has clearly demonstrated that is who he really is.
6
Network television hasn’t produced a decent show about working class Americans since ‘All In The Family.’
So, tell me again why we should watch piece of Rosanne Barr produced Trump propaganda masquerading itself as entertainment?
2
In a landscape where every sitcom, every late night chat show & every daytime talk show loudly espouses liberal points of view to thunderous audience applause & media accolades there is ONE, let me repeat ONE, show that allows the other point of view to be expressed in a thoughtful way (& I might add, while giving ample opportunity for the other side to speak) and look at the hateful, intolerant response here. Wow. Just wow. And you folks all wonder why Trump was elected...
2
How dare this millionaire celebrity create a show about a working family supporting Trump when everyone knows millionaire celebrities support working families who support Democrats. Also no surprise so many comments about how ignorant Roseanne is. The left is full of hate and supports free speech only when it supports their agenda. Conservative speakers are banned from liberal universities and even 1 TV show with 1 character having a different point of view is too many. Truly amazing.
2
Is political poison so deeply into our lives that we lash out when an actor stays true to the character she created decades before TheDonald? IF you watched and laughed at the original character, then watch again without judgment. IF you don't laugh, don't get a shot of dopamine from laugh outloud, change the channel. IF you do get a shot of dopamine, chemically equivalent to heroin, then stay tuned.
Lots of judgmental types here that could use some lighten-up ??
Just watched the first two episodes. It is interesting. It's cast Jackie in the role of the "condescending know-it-all liberal" [Life Coach} which captures perfectly how some Trump voters view us liberal elitists - and I think seeing that is useful. You don't win anyone over by telling them they are dumb and wrong.
The family loves each other - despite the differences. This is what is needed.
Roseanne is her usual "my way or the highway" but yet supported her grandson's desire to dress "differently" in a way that wasn't preachy and didn't include any overt kumbaya moments - it was funny. Maybe how Everybody loves Raymond may have done it. Trump voters are not one size fits all.
This country needs to come together. This show, like Sarah Silverman's, is trying the bridge the divide. If we can please take it out of the right/wrong smart/stupid blame game frame for a moment... we can't keep warring amongst ourselves. This is exactly the crack in the wall that Putin is hammering away at.
2
It seems only natural that Roseanne Conner would be a Trump supporter. You don't have to be a Trump supporter yourself to see that.
But then when this interviewer starts becoming about his views, well, he really doesn't have many views--or least many that are fixed and sincere. No the whole thing, as has been said 1,000 times before, is that he's not a politician and everyone is sick of politicians, and he expresses the resentment of certain people in the society, etc. We've all heard it already.
Honestly, I don't think there's anything going on here that we don't already know.
1
So Roseanne is a show about the blue-collar, poorer and ignorant folks who are Trump supporters?
Well isn't that the very thing they hated about Hillary, the fact she called them "deplorables" and represented them this way? Hey, it may be factual for some folks in many ways but why is it when someone who they call a "liberal" (as if that's a dirty word too) describes folks this way they are being "elitist".
If she wants to really reach people, perhaps her show can explain why they still vote for a man who lied to them. Yes, he gives them certain "wins" in what he promised on the campaign trail but he takes away other things while they aren't looking. I don't understand it. Maybe her and her character can show us why she does think what she does about Trump and answer the questions she didn't in this interview. I would love to hear it.
4
I'm basically neutral on Trump. It hit me a few months ago that this whole political schism we're experiencing is a framing problem. Most of those who hate Trump accept the Clinton framing - that his supporters heard a dog whistle and backed sexism, racism, and Islamophobia.
But if you're a Trump supporter, you probably accept his framing of Clinton, which is that the elite have sold the middle and working classes down the river to the benefit of the coastal liberal elites, ignoring the plight of the rust belt and flyover country.
There's merit in both, but I've decided to just accept the positive frames each gave themselves, rather than wallow in negativity. Trump was the candidate who wanted to fight to Make America Great Again and regain jobs and self-respect for the working class, and to make America win. Clinton wanted to help make us stronger together, as a more inclusive society, while shattering glass ceilings and opening new doors for more people
Both were true. Stop demonizing those who disagree.
32
But… Trump isn't doing any of those things. (Whether Clinton would have, we'll never know.) He isn't and will not "make America great again" with regained jobs because those jobs are gone. He hasn't drained the swamp, he's filled it. These are facts, not anti-Trump negativity.
Why does Roseanne maintain a narrative of "I voted for him because he's going to help the little guy" when he isn't?
10
How on earth can anybody be neutral on Trump?
5
“Elites”? “Coastal liberals”? It’s clear that Trump’s ‘framing’ is all about dividing people, despising the ‘other’. Nothing will get solved until Americans unite, and Trump seems the have no interest in doing that.
6
I didn't experience the show as being especially conservative. Jackie (liberal) and Rosanne (Trumpist) argued about politics in familiar ways. And the gender non-binary kid was treated respectfully by all. I wish that someone would explain to me how this was a pro-Trump, anti-liberal episode.
6
I was never a fan of the original "Rosanne" although I watched it from time to time and I did have a sort of grudging respect for Rosanne Barre. That, alas, is demolished with the news here that she is a Trump supporter. Reading her explanation for this here I can only marvel at her stupendous naivety. Trump has installed a cabinet, signed legislation, issued executive orders and nominated judges that have done and will do the following: undermine the viability of labor unions, oppose work-place protections, allow restaurant owners to seize the tips of waitresses and waiters, curtail the hard-won rights established under the Obama administration for LGBTQ persons, roll back environmental protections (pollution disproportionately affects poor and working-class people), roll back protections for college-student-loan borrowers from predatory lenders which will make it harder for young people from working class families to realize the American dream - and the list goes on and on, culminating in the tax scam that the Republicans passed that redistributes massive amounts of wealth to corporations and the very rich while tossing crumbs to working class Americans. And the best is yet to come when Trump's real fan base - the Koch brothers et al., - realize their long-cherished dream of privatizing Social Security. But, of course, Roseanne merely plays a working class woman on TV. In reality she is a millionaire. Could that be the real reason for her support of Trump?
7
I watched the first show and apparently so did the president. If he takes to Roseann Connor as religiously as he takes to FOXNews, I think he'll learn a thing or two about the real world the rest of us live in. We might get a better presidency out of it.
4
Well... this is a show I'm not watching.
Hope this "Zombie" gets cancelled before the season ends...
4
I loved the original "Roseanne," and I found the pilot of the new series satisfying and of decent quality, though it felt retro with the laughing studio audience. I'm a Democrat and loathe Trump, but it makes sense to me that the character would be a Trump supporter, and that Jackie would voice the other side. As for Roseanne the actual person, she's never been afraid to shock or be nutty or say whatever she wants... so I'm surprised that anyone is surprised and offended. I don't require that the actors in a show or all of its characters agree with me politically in order to enjoy it.
I do feel the absence of David and Mark in the new series... you can't fault their absence, but it's still not the same without them.
5
I just watched the first two episodes on Hulu. I remember why this is a super great show. Great writing that made me laugh out loud. Superb character development. It seemed like the show never left the air. Bravo. Ground breaking television in my opinion.
2
She ran for office because so little of the public money came back to them? She thinks that Trump helps? Change the topic, she doesn't want talk about it.
4
We have a former "reality TV" star -- a "celebrity" -- in the White House. And here we have another TV celebrity espousing her views on our celebrity "president." Until the American public gets over its fixation on celebrities -- giving great weight to their every inane utterance -- I don't see how our national politics will improve. Academia and the corporate world are filled with people who are more intelligent and more highly educated than either Trump or Barr. We need to pay more attention to the smart people, and pay less attention to celebrities.
4
barr, another uninformed rightist hypocrite, claims to be one of those heartland folks but as soon as she got money, she flew-over those very same red states for that liberal paradise Hawaii.
No wonder barr supports president draft dodger, she too seems broken, angry and dumb.
9
Can we please STOP making every single thing about Trump. Attention is his oxygen.
5
The ratings, per a benchmark of 2018, are huge. Since the only thing that the supposedly right thinking people of Hollywood really respect is money, you can expect more than few blue collar imitators. I expect the script machines are already rolling. It looks like the typical NYT comment writer will have one more complaint about what is wrong with the country and is just going to have to suck it up.
2
Is barr's nut farm in her beloved HEARTLAND?
Nope.
Its in President Obama's liberal Hawaii.
11
I never found anything - anything - Ms Barr said or did to be funny. And by the way, all you people who are whining about Colin Kaepernick and other NFL players disrespecting the flag, do you remember her grabbing her crotch while she "sang" the national anthem in 1991? Commercial TV really is a vast wasteland.
9
For some reason I though that there was a failed spinoff where Dan was dead??? Though I know people who loved this show back in its debut, I was never a fan. The flat, "I am smarter than you" loud obnoxious voice of Roxanne always ground my nerves like nails against the chalk board. Roxanne is just not very likable and clearly no other character role has worked for her either.
Now we know how the character that plays Howard's mother on the BIG BANG THEORY was born. Just obnoxious!
2
As much of a fan of the old series as I am, I haven't been able to watch this new incarnation.
Knowing Roseanne's politics is like seeing the sausage being made. Trump is a proud racist; Roseanne supports Trump; ergo, Roseanne supports racism. It's as simple as that. I would no sooner watch her than I'd watch Paula Deen, now that I know what she's about, too.
And what galls me particularly is that, were Roseanne a liberal, Trump would have no compunction about calling her horrible names based on her looks and her weight. But by supporting Trump, Roseanne is also giving a thumbs-up to that sort of behavior as well.
9
Roseanne did not shut down after being asked about working class union issues. She clearly stated that people "like her characters" were responsive to rhetoric about "bringing jobs back" and against HRC's NAFTA etc.
You do not have to like it, but these comments reflect that Dems/liberals/progressives have NO interest in why pro-Trump voters hold their convictions.
I say go with compassion and curiosity and really try and come together, but; Even if you think they are all no-good, pure-evil, deplorable idiots- why not know your enemy?
2
Wow, 18.2 million viewers! That's incredible
2
Of course ms. barr is the champion of the her downtrodden midwest people.
That's when she got money she flew as far away as she possibly could from her midwest people.
She landed in leftist Hawaii... President Obama's home state.
5
Dear fly-over people, we Democrats fought for your father's and mother's organized labor rights that afforded uneducated people like them a dignified life that put a roof over tour heads, food in your bellies and clothes on your back.
It left your parents with enough left over for savings, college and vacations twice a year.
You people gave up your organized labor unions protections because reagan, another Hollywood elitist like barr, convinced you "stable geniuses" that labor unions were unAmerican.
And now, 30 years on, in benighted midwest and southern towns gutted by the loss of organized labor, barr's kind of people hate the Democrats and genuflect at the mere mention of Bonzo's co-star.
And they wonder why we Democrats fly-over those towns.
7
True.
back in the day I loved that there was a show about poor overweight people, no models in 3 million dollar homes pretending to be average. But its weird she likes conservatives since the show went heavy into modern dysfunctional families, in a very unwolesome manner with a demon daughter, they got so every good american family value was preverted. Thats what the left usually gets tarred with
1
I think the Conner Family should invite Mike and Molly over for Dinner just in time to Welcome back Kotter...
...and Happy Days will be back again.
On second thoughts , maybe it's best if everything is kept All in the Family!
3
Here’s a great example of the not so subtle indoctrination we’ve been subjected to by the mainstream media and the zombie sheeple that just can’t seem to get it. — “Considering that Trump opposes many of the principles that you and Roseanne Conner have stood for, how can you support him?”
Not even close to being true and way to counter Roseanne!
I feel so vindicated! I never thought she was funny . . . She seemed crass. She seemed mean. She seemed uneducated. There was nothing clever in her humor -- nothing intelligent about it. I always felt that she got laughs only because she so well depicted the lazy, vacuous slob that we all know . . . And now I find that she's just as mentally bankrupt as I assumed she was.
6
And the show premiered to huge ratings lol...
You lose.
1
Matthew,
You miss the point, winning in this context is neither a compliment nor an achievement.
Those ratings really help the out of work coal miners, lol.
Rosanne is a dreadful woman playing another dreadful woman. I won't watch.
4
Whenever the subject of stupid TV comes up, I usually think first of professional wrestling. But I think I'd sooner watch 'roided-up clowns hitting each other with folding chairs than watch "Roseanne" -- and the wrestling would probably be more reality-based and funnier.
The normalization of minority-bashing, women-assaulting, nativism and white supremacy? Maybe it'll be warm and cuddly one day. Today is not that day. No thanks.
3
Well if it is any consolation I suppose Mr. Brooks will find deep insights on the "Roseanne" show.
1
I will not be watching "Roseanne" for the simple reason that Ms. Conner is a Trump supporter.
For her to approve of Mr. Trump who apparently reviles and loathes her is truly bizarre, never mind what the President has continually demonstrated as a misogynist, a racist, and a liar.
Bizarre.
4
Wait. When did she become "Barr" again?
2
Never really watched this before. Won't now. Just what we need another media platform normalizing Trumpian stupidity.
1
All In The Family this is not, and I thought the re-boot, with a polarized family storyline, would be as good and follow the same idea creatively. And I think it thinks it’s doing that. But it is not. I don’t care if she is a Trump lover in the show. What I care about is good writing and good acting. The writing may be there, but aside from Gilbert and Metcalf (perfection) the rest of the cast is wooden, weird, and did not feel connected at all. Barr and Goodman seemed to have a strange eye thing- obviously it’s more than just plastic surgery tweaks. They seemed to be looking at cue cards, and her delivery especially seemed so strange and stiff I thought maybe the story was going in a “Roseanne struggles w/ Alzheimer’s” direction. Seems like Roseanne has no idea who she really is now and it shows in her acting. I won’t tune in again. Way too many superior shows on TV nowadays.
3
You are right. The acting was stilted except for Metcalf and Gilbert. It was weird. Maybe they should shoot it before a studio audience and tape it instead of doing it live.
The majority of "working class Americans" that I know loathe Trump. His particular demographic is more "working class, white, uneducated, racist and xenophobic." Let's try to not paint with such a broad stroke as "working class American."
7
Let’s get one thing straight. NAFTA was an afterthought to Reagan’s deregulation. It was intended to get those countries that had recently gotten our factories and jobs to start buying goods from us that had no trade agreement before to buy from us. What sent your factories and job out of the country was the deregulation of American investments that before could not be taken out of the country at a percentage higher than 25%. This was regulated back to the end of WWll because we had found out Americans had invested in the Nazis and had thus invested in almost our total destruction. Against all reason Reagan and his fellow republicans thought this would be a good idea. Henceforth NAFTA was the only vehicle to get back what they had given away all in the name of cheap .50 cent labor. Clinton attached a EPA standard to NAFTA before republicans passed it without it so that these countries could not destroy the environment just to underbid Americans. NAFTA actually worked in many incendences and countries for a while like Mexico even bought more goods from us than we did from them. However being ignorant about what NAFTA is will not fix the problem but cause it to get much worse.
3
Factory jobs were outsourced because reagan destroyed organized labor even though when he was pretending to be a man f9r the silver screen he was a labor union president.
1
Why does the media never have working class whites their support of trump racism, his bigotry towards of Muslims his misogyny? Why wasn't roseanne asked about her support of these things?
5
Wow! Patrick Healy so misses the point on the new Roseanne and the reason for the character being a Trump supporter, I can’t believe it.
Finally a place where both sides have to listen to each other, and with humor.
Thank you Roseanne.
1
No, both sides won't. Most of the people who are not Trump supporters won't watch, because they look at Trump as morally bankrupt. They are right. You cannot support Trump without supporting all the bad things about him and that includes his racism and sexism. If you could vote for him and overlook those issues, there is something wrong with you. So the left, who just cannot go down this path into this acceptance of racism and sexism and homophobia will not hear any Trump supporter, until that Trump supporter admits Trump is all those things, then publicly asks himself why was able to overlook all those things. And we know that ain't gonna happen...not in this world anyway.
4
Why is it that most deplorables, including Roseanne Barr, say things like this in response to the question from the interviewer:
Interviewer: "You ran for president in 2-12. What was that about?
R. Barr: "To bring up questions and conversation that I wasn't hearing anywhere. Specifically, how the public's money never ends up going to the public." Ms. Barr is so completely inarticulate that she cannot even respond to her own concern abt the "public's money". Ms. Barr, I have news for you--
it's TAXPAYER MONEY THAT PAYS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, ROADS/INFRASTRUCTURES, AIRPORTS AND THEIR SECURITY, PRISONS, THE WHOLE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND YOUR FAVORITE PRESIDENT'S SALARY AND ALL HIS WEEKEND JAUNTS TO HIS LAIR IN FLORIDA.
16
Funny how Roseanne doesn't realize taxpayer dollars fund programs that everyone, including herself, benefit from.
But god forbid don't mention the "S" word.
1
The fact that Roseanne called out from under her rock once more says everything about the current zeitgeist. If she had the money and the handlers she might have been our first female president.
2
If ABC really wants to blow their rating sky high they should bring back "Last Man Standing" and put it back-to-back with Roseanne.
1
Barr is simply looking for a paycheck.
She knows there's good money in pandering to trump's "poorly educated" base (trump's words, not mine).
It worked for tim allen until he began whining.
And it will work for barr for a while until she starts whining.
Rightists are a squirrelly, angry lot.
6
I never cared for her show. I couldn't stand the sound of her whiny voice. Interesting that in the picture you've used of her above she has a pose strikingly similar to Trump's, that one of arrogance and entitlement. Peas in a pod.
3
E Weekly just reported that over 18 million viewers tuned in last night. Wow.
1
That will probably drop in week two.
2
Personally, I never liked Roseanne Barr and her kind of humor. I find her humor very degrading and not funny. At her height she made a mockery out of the national anthem that was disgraceful. She thought that singing it off key at a baseball game was funny. I have always viewed Roseanne as a person that was a little off mentally. Her reasons for supporting Trump don't totally make sense. Probably she likes Trump's tough empty talk. Like the tough empty talk Roseanne spews in real life and on television. Finally, I only watched a few minutes of her original sitcom and then turned the channel, because I thought the show was not funny, but sad, very sad.
6
Not unexpected, trump does love the “poorly educated” and I don’t think intelligence is the first thing that comes to mind regarding Roseanne
6
Just don't let her sing the Star Spangled Banner in public again.
Having read a good sampling of the comments, I see that despite not having viewed the show, much of the commentary just demonizes Trump, the show and anyone who might be a Trump supporter. The elite 1% intellectual snobbery is so prevalent that you couldn't even cut through it with a chainsaw (you know, that is one of those things that you use to cut down trees with, that you have never used or owned). The show will never last because only the 'basket of deplorables' and those who 'cling to their guns and religion', you know the ones who live in 'flyover country' will find it entertaining.
That's the sad commentary, because those who are not closed minded will be treated to a time slot full of humor and laughs.
2
The show was funny and it was a good laugh— all those who criticize it and not even bother to watch because she is a Trump supporter show us where the truly intolerant life- on the coasts and mindlessly followers of HRC. Come together, get a life and quit letting politics separate you from others- everyone should be better than that. We have a reality TV President who is actually doing quite well and his a far better communicator and marketable than anyone in the Times who seem to criticize him. Makes you wonder who the really empty suit is.
Trump supporters are open-minded. Biggest laugh of the nite. Thx.
2
Golly!
Imagine how mad you'd be if we had asked Barr to cough up her birth certificate first.
1
If this show can get trump supporters to watch something else besides Hannity for at least one night a week, then I'm all for it.
7
Oh, please. Reagan killed the unions when he fired the air traffic controllers for striking. NAFTA came long after the unions in this country had been decimated by years of Reaganism, and they no longer had the clout to put a stop to NAFTA.
11
I grew up very, very blue collar. (I guess now I'm an elite because I went to college and put myself through law school? My mom would just tell me I "did good." )
Neither the real nor the fictitious roaeanne is even remotely like the hard working, dignified, hard-to- fool strong women, family and neighbors, that surpounded me in my youth and helped make me who I am.
She is just making a buck on the fire of division trump has thrown gas on.
They are both phonies when it comes to doing well by working people
11
Some folks just like being contrarian to be contrarian.
I think Barr hated Clinton the same way Trump hated Obama- some toxic personal competition thing that combines with a need to dominate all headlines in their personal zone. Their politics are extra and don't make any sense and don't have to for either one of them.
7
actually the interview with her is kind of depressing, and she doesn't make a good political case for supporting President Trump and the Republican Party
7
Because there is no good case for supporting mr. trump.
2
Steve, like there ever was one in the first place?
1
When Roseanne Barr first appeared on the Tonight Show, I thought her stand-up routine was a breath of fresh air. Same with her sitcom. She went off the deep end in the Tom Arnold days, and despite occasional brushes with logic, she remains irrational like a fox for money and attention. It's a sad evolution.
5
I'm disappointed that Roseanne (Barr) doesn't realize that Trump "saying lots of times" that he's not homophobic is meaningless. I'm disappointed that she -- as a self-appointed spokesperson for working class people -- doesn't see Trump for the con he is (in my experience, working class people are usually the first to spot one... this election has really shaken up my perspective). But, I still love Roseanne (the show) and will watch this season. I think she's right that there is a perspective, and many difficult topics, that few other shows are willing to touch. And... she's funny.
2
RB got 1 thing right last night... Roseanne Conner is typical of the Trump voter. Classic example of "I blame the government for everything wrong in my life". The govt is responsible for her financial troubles - they gave her a high school education (no college or advanced skillset) & the freedom to have as many children as she wanted (4, of which she had neither the time nor the money to support). It's the govts fault she can't make ends meet & almost lost her house, right?
The gov't is also responsible for her health issues. They forced her to eat Peeps for breakfast & refuse to exercise. Then they refused to buy her all the meds she now requires after a lifetime of obesity. And those awful Dems "wanted to hand out free healthcare cause they can't do math" according to RC.
I think RC is the one who can't do math. I make x & it cost y more than x to support me & my family. Simple math - elementary math. What a hypocrite.
9
The perfect comment!
2
Has she learned the craft of acting yet?
2
I watched it and I wasn't taken in by the show. It's trying to hard and the jokes don't really work that well. The politics also are annoying.
2
Good for her. Coastal elites immersed in their identity politics have long ignored the plight of working-class middle America, decimated by bad trade deals. Just as they have ignored enforcing our immigration laws and borders, while continuously supporting candidates intent on foreign regime change intervention.
Roseanne doesn't give a hoot what posturing, lecturing Hollywood types think. She has guts.
Last I heard, Trump has surrounded himself with people hell bent on regime change in Iran and North Korea.
1
Nonsense.
Democrats fought for those people's organized labor rights but they gave them away because another Hollywood elitist ronald reagan convinced them that organized labor was evil.
Now those uninformed rightists blame Democrats and worship republics.
And yet we Democrats still fought tooth and nail to get these people affordable healthcare and once again they hate us for it.
Sooner or layer we are just gonna have to leave these people where they evidently want to be, behind the rest of us.
2
The picture of ms. barr accompanying this article, is perfect.
She absolutely nails the overly confident under informed "heartland" trump supporter.
5
Maybe it’s just me, but I find any humor about the President to be very unsettling. I don’t watch any of the late night comedic talk shows. My feeling is Trump’s dangerous that that there is *nothing funny* about him.
The Rosanne show and Saturday Night Live and others may make fun of the man; people will laugh. I’m an Independent with a good sense of humor, but I draw the line with Trump.
4
Watched a couple of episodes of the first Roseanne and will probably watch a couple of episodes of this but on the whole, the sitcom form has become shorthand for boring and predictable storylines, and something you don't mind turning off in the middle of it and doing something else like doing the dishes. That Ms Barr wants to slum stories about middle America now that she is a zillionaire seems like Trump's haircut- kind of weird, but go for it I guess.
How about an update/rerun of Divorce Court. My grandmother used to watch that guilty pleasure. Potentially, Melania and Donald battling it out with their lawyers, the wraithlike Kushners, custody battles, a Stormy Daniels spin-off, etc. sounds a bit less snooze-worth. Branch Out, ABC!
4
...we shall be joining the boycott of advertised products of this low-life's program
5
I saw the first two episodes last night and was disappointed. Laurie Metcalf is a stellar actress, so it was heartbreaking to see her saddled with a script that makes her character a tired, unrealistic caricature of a liberal democrat. She deserves so much better writing than that. And the NYT interview with Ms Barr was just plain sad because she appears to have become one with the tribalism of US politics to the point to denying facts that challenge what you wish were true about your President. Good luck Roseanne, you'll likely get that tenth season but not many people will be willing to give you more than that one last shot.
4
I remember well Roseanne’s activism and advocacy for women, most particularly for survivors of sexual assault like herself. In light of that, her support for Trump is that
much more disappointing. I can conclude that she is either delusional or desperately hypocritical to revive her career. While I would have been excited for a reboot of a series that I thoroughly enjoyed the first time around, I cannot put that away and enjoy this show.
4
Not a convincing interview....Like a lot of other Trump supporters.
2
I think Ms Barr supports Mr. Trump because she, like Mr. Trump, is a rich, privileged, pampered, narcissistic celebrity who seeks to exploit working class Americans to advance an agenda, to acquire more wealth and celebrity at the expense Americans who are vulnerable to their exploitation.
Portraying the working class as uneducated and boorish may be an accurate reflection of Ms. Barr’s private personna and elite economic circumstances, but it is also a fraudulent slur, a gratuitous insult, that uses base stereotypes to ridicule less privileged Americans, and in doing so to garner more celebrity and, most certainly, more wealth for herself.
In this interview, Ms Barr shows herself to be Donald Trump’s equal in knowledge and respect for facts, and his peer in leveraging celebrity and class status for their personal benefit at the expense of others less privileged.
She would do well to return to Hawaii and use her leisure there to read up on American history, the Constitution, and political economy; she might consider inviting Mr Trump to accompany her to her farm where they could together undertake a course of study that might allow them to gain a more truthful grasp of present day life in America, and to obtain a factually grounded understanding of how this present day America came into being.
7
Good God - Roseanne Barr never garnered this amount of attention the first time her show aired in 1997. Leave it to Trump (indirectly) to reprise her career a second time around. I will never understand the attraction so many have for this loud mouth bar fly or her brand of humor. I guess to each his (or her) own.
1
The thought of drooling opportunist Mile Pence being President is even worse than Trump....next in line in succession is the sinister cheap hack/slave t to the Koch brothers and devoted Ayn Rand fan Paul Ryan.....none of these are healthy choices at all....they are all extremely toxic and represent a serious threat to the health & well being of millions of Americans and to the world. A selection of poisons is what we were offered in 2016, and it's only gotten worse...hopefully the Millennials and Independents will step up to the leadership plate. The GOP is extremely radical and clearly NOT conservative at all in any way. I watched the new show, enjoyed it.....Ms Barr has a distinct POV and it's refreshing to see real life issues portrayed and not the uneducated crass vulgarity of so-called "reality TV" shows like "The Kardashians" who are not good role models and represent no thoughts/values at all.
2
Millennials put Trump in the white house and so did false equivalencies.
No surprise there. She's like her TV character ... single-dimensional, unsophisticated, sometimes inarticulate, crude, wearing a Make America Great Again cap and screaming "lock her up" at a Trump rally. Art imitates Life.
2
i wouldn't bet on the story line staying that way. watch what happens if the numbers drop. besides....nobody is watching tv anymore.
Didn't watch back then, won't watch now. Never liked the woman.
For obvious reasons, it's difficult to embrace a character (fictional or otherwise), who would support a leader that is reluctant to denounce a white supremacist rally.
1
People still watch network tv?
How...quaint.
2
Just like the original episodes, the show was smartly done, and well balanced. I keep seeing headlines, "Pro-Trump" Roseanne, but I thought Roseanne and the writers did a great job at showing both political views, equally. It really was a breath of fresh air to have a good laugh at our own expense.
1
I have seen hundreds of thousands of films - I loved going to the movies. Loved watching late night TV too. It has been a couple years now since our family went to any movie - we will not support Hollywood anymore with our money and we do not watch late TV. Tired of being lectured to by a bunch of rich pompous elites who have no connection with and do not care about main street America. Roseanne's massive audience of 18.1 million, according to The Hollywood Reporter, speaks for itself. It's been a long time since my whole family got to watch a TV show together - thank you Roseanne!
3
Nobody tell John that barr is a multi-millionaire Hollywood elitist living The Life of Riley on her sumptuous Hawaiian plantation.
5
Agreed. Also 'mainstreet America' voted for Clinton since she got the majority vote and most Americans didn't vote for Trump.
1
She does not live in or near Hollywood, nor does she espouse to be be better than everyone that disagrees with her. She made her money by hard work and as a capitalist, I am all for enjoying the fruits of your labor - she is the cultural antipathy of progressive elites.
great show. balanced for once. could not believe it. will watch again.
2
I am glad the show is back, we needed this type of show for a long time. The show kept it real back in the day and is still keeping it real.
Btw, I am a non white minority and I could and can relate to the family on the show.
2
Thought the show was a great/ I am a liberal and was not offended at all/ I think Roxanne is a very smart cookie/ Underneath, I don't think she is a Trump supporter/ But a business woman who knows how to get high ratings/ I'll be watching it every week
4
The picture of Roseanne is nice. Its the first time I have seen peace and confidence in her eyes since the night I saw her do the Carson show back in 1985.
Still like I said in my earlier comment the show was forced and everyone seemed like they were on their first job trying unsuccessfully to write the dialogue as they spoke. All the hesitations and odd pauses really drove this home. We love you Rosie and know you can do better.
If anyone writing or producing for the show is reading this the success of her last run was the honesty.
Lets face it she has been very wealthy for 3 decades you might consider going at the show from that perspective. BTW most Trump supporters also are very well off making $70k+. That was proved in an article the Guardian ran during the campaign. Nina Totenberg did a story with the author of it on her public radio show.
3
I thought the show was great!!! Four Stars
5
imagine that, a strong woman that thinks for herself and holds the opinions she chooses to hold. that's what you're always arguing for, aren't you? or not so much when that strong woman doesn't lockstep with the hollywood "elite" and the political left....
11
This show was so unappealing in its original incarnation. Like fish heads, it hasn't improved with age.
2
Say what you want, but the ratings speak for themselves.
The Roseanne show resonated with this liberal New Yorker intellectually, spiritually, emotionally -- not just for the laughs but for the love and compassion between the characters.
Welcome back, Roseanne!
11
D. J. grew up to be soooo cute/handsome. The second Becky is beautiful, and both Beckys are good actors. Darlene's boy is a good actor. Roseanne and Dan seemed to be reading cue cards. The great Laurie Metcalf was a little over-the-top, probably trying to hold the others up.
Not a bad show, compared to some of the gruesome sitcoms on. I probably won't watch it again, but it was okay.
2
There are two types of people in America: Those who think roseanne referring to herself as a "domestic goddess" is funny and the rest of us.
9
I didn't watch it, and I loved the old show (until the last two seasons - which were a vanity project for the insecure Roseanne Barr). The fact that she cannot admit her failure in the last two seasons tells me she has not changed since writing those awful episodes, (which seemed to be written to boost her own ego, and to the detriment of every other actor on the series).
I'm pretty sure this show will tank - she is now so out-of-touch with any blue collar mentality. She's been wealthy for far too long now to have a pulse on the working class.
11
I was expecting the reboot to be creepybad the way the Will & Grace reboot was. I was wrong. There are some too-on-the-nose political points, but the anchors of the reboot are the daughters, and if the first hour is any indication, the fulcrum is properly re-situated under the lever, as it were.
Will & Grace seems stuck - in a bad and *useless* way that doesn't speak to our current situation. Roseanne's characters are stuck in a way that does speak to our current situation, and thus seems (so far - only one hour...) much less stale - and, of course, all the sadder for that.
5
Hilarious and refreshing... Am down to 3 hrs of TV a week and 1 when Outlander and Vikings are not airing. Loved this show in the original series. If this is any indication will add another hr to my weekly shows.
8
Roseanns is Shifty enough to be Trump's press secretary. When she gets nailed down she exhibits the same kind of moves Trump himself does with refusing to answer or moving to alternative questions she' rather answer with misdirection. Maybe she just appreciates how much money she came into with the tax bill heist Trump and republicans donated to people in her tax bracket. She of course can't alienate half the potential audience for her new show; so there you have it; sellout.
6
"The revival of Roseanne premiered to massive ratings Tuesday night.
The return delivered an incredible 18.2 million viewers along with an equally impressive 5.1 rating among adults 18-49.
According to ABC, this is the highest-rated comedy telecast on any network in nearly four years (since a premiere episode of CBS’ The Big Bang Theory from 2014)."
Too bad for all those commenters here who consciously chose to keep their heads buried in the sand (or elsewhere) and didn't watch. An incredible 18.2 million viewers along with an equally impressive 5.1 rating among adults 18-49, were treated to an hour of good fun and laughs regardless of your political persuasion.
12
Dear Skeptic:
I don't choose what I watch based on other people's choices. I will not watch for my own personal reasons. There are many, many good comedies, dramas, books, music and personal interactions to enjoy. You are impressed by the ratings, have laughs, and enjoy the show. Your choice! Judging others' choices I think is a step too far. Consciously boycotting a show is different than "burying their heads in the sand." That would be pretending nothing is happening. Roseanne has revealed she is a proud supporter of Trump, who is a bigot, bully, wanna-be autocrat, misogynist, and hater. Many Trump supporters also are bigots. If they don't know that they are in self-denial, and the ones with their heads in the sand.
16
I like TV better when it doesn't portray the working class at all. Makes it easier to focus on our selves.
3
The poor NYT commenters who can't get out of their own way if a TV character mentions President Trump. get over yourselves and realize this is a TV comedy! I watched it and saw different people expressing opposing political and social views, just like a previous working class hit, All In The Family. That's what made the Archie Bunker character and supporting cast interesting. They explored every controversial issue. Maybe Roseanne will do the same and it sure looks like it.
You don't like Roseanne Barr's political views? So what. Roughly half of all of voters cast ballots for Trump. In case you missed it, the TV ratings for this show were through the roof. Viewers want a comedy that makes fun of every issue, instead of a steady diet of political cable shows on CNN, MSNBC and Fox. This is the perfect show for people of all political persuasions.
16
To be honest, comedy, sitcoms and talk shows like Daily Show, are perfect venue for hashing out political views. Yes, it's serious business, and we take it seriously, but not too seriously enough as to pointing guns at each other. Afterall can't we just have a bit of fun and laugh, even if we don't agree on everything that someone on the other side of the table (or tube) is saying?
1
Its actually funny for anyone to believe that Archie Bunker "explored" political issues so much as the writers were lampooning Archie Bunker exploring political issues. Note this demonstrates how an unfit Trump could get into office. By so shallow and misinformed a perspective. They live among us.
3
"roughly half" = definitely less than half (46.1%), but who's counting?
3
I used to kind of feel bad about not liking Roseanne but, after all, it really is true one should trust their instincts.
11
I have always found her show to be refreshing, focusing on a segment in society that doesn't normally get coverage. It's perhaps very fitting, that the Roseanne on the show (and Roseanne in person too) would support Trump because, let's face it, if she is true to her character, the struggling white working family the way they are, they really would have been Trump's loyal fanbase.
That said, I don't watch the show regularly. I find the oft belittling demeanor of Roseanne annoying, occasional funny moments notwithstanding. I get that same feeling toward the grievance of a lot of white working class, in that I do empathize with their plight, but the oft aggressive tone just turns me off.
Is it life imitating art that follows the script of Roseanne, that some 21 years ago when everything seemed looking up and up (Dan's death notwithstanding), and then she woke up from the dream 21 years later, and the family is back to square one, feeling stuck again, only that this time the brood is getting bigger? The arc of Roseanne as a character and the family as a representative of her class seems matching exactly what the white working families go through. With the resurgence and revolt of these voters, who knows, Roseanne might even one day run for office.
6
"It's perhaps very fitting, that the Roseanne on the show (and Roseanne in person too) would support Trump because, let's face it, if she is true to her character, the struggling white working family the way they are, they really would have been Trump's loyal fanbase."
First, Trumps base is middle and upper middle class Americans. Second, urban working class went for Clinton. It was rural working class that went for Trump. The people who voted for Trump including rural working class were more influenced by cultural insecurity over economic insecurity. This demographic agreed with Clinton more than Trump when it came to jobs and the economy.
1
It's interesting how Roseanne Barr, is ignorant to the fact that Clinton didn't negotiate NAFTA, George Bush did, it was ratified during the Clinton administration. People like Roseanne Barr, seems to think that since she is in a position to support a narrative that will reach millions of viewers makes her inaccuracies tolerable. But she clearly doesn't know what she's talking about, and that is what is driving our current societal issues.
Roseanne Barr, wants to make money by appealing to the far right base that doesn't care about being accurate with facts, like Barr's assertion that Clinton negotiated NAFTA. I watched her show last night (3.27.2018) and there was one line when she was talking to her sister, and she said, "you want the government to give everyone "FREE" healthcare, because you have a big heart". There were other line's where she supported Trumps authoritarian tendencies, so her argument in Jimmy Kimmel, saying that her supporting Trump was a way to keep Pence out of office, is empty, and makes one say, huh?.
Rosanne's show, is nothing more than her spin on the political climate we are currently in. It's a waste of time and effort, it can only end (hopefully) in disaster, since it's not funny, it's only an extension of Trump and what he stands for.
24
and....pray tell, what does Trump stand for? Educate me.
Pardon me while I retch watching Rosanne. Nah! Got better things to do with my time.
21
snowflake or liberal, right?
Owns a nut farm? How appropriate.
32
You just made me smile, thanks.
2
Roseanne Barr should go back to Hawaii and cultivate her nuts.
17
No more macadamia nuts for me!
Anybody remember that 1 hour weekly drama from the 70s, 'The Waltons'?
Yeah, though politics wasn't heavy in their plot lines, I think it's safe to assume they weren't big Herbert Hoover supporters.
6
I don't support Trump at all, but I am glad there is a show that is portraying his working class supporters in a real light, in their own words, not some straw man depiction created only as a foil to someone I already agree with. The fact that I think Trump is a national embarrassment mean that I should try to engage with his supporters and understand them, not that I should ignore them or shut them down, just to reinforce my own views. We can't just hide our heads in the sand and pretend people who don't agree with us, or condemn people who don't share our values. This is a fantastic show to have on right now and I applaud Roseanne and the rest of the cast for making it happen. I remember watching the show when I was young, and now looking back I realize how there used to be popular shows that actually tackled social realities, now all we have is "reality" shows that are anything but. I am happy that she is bringing this back, I hope it can help us all find understanding, if not common ground, and I hope it's just as funny as the original.
21
I don't wanna watch, I don't wanna watch, I don't wanna watch. I also mute the TV whenever Trump comes on. It's not hiding my head in the sand because if he says anything important or honest (like the SOS is fired, or we are might be going to war soon), I will hear about it. I just dislike feeling nauseated. I allow myself no more than 15 to 20 minutes daily to think about Trump, unusually less because my time and thoughts are valuable. The show would go over my limit.
4
It is a great and much needed act for you and everyone else to listen to other sides. But, you need to get your head out of the sand and acknowledge all of the good things President Trump has accomplished so far.
The first incarnation of Roseanne was brilliant. I recently rewatched it, and it seemed as relevant as ever. The new show, which I watched last night, was almost surreal. Although it had the sitcom veneer, every actor seemed to be in pain. They looked haggard and worn, and smiles were rare. The politics had an "All in the Family" equivocation to it, i.e. you could identify with whatever side you wanted to, and while exposing different views, the show never sided with any. That was one of it's strengths, I suppose. Somehow, though, it hurt to watch it.
10
"...every actor seemed to be in pain. They looked haggard and worn, and smiles were rare."
Describes most people over 65.
3
I thought the same. Even the younger actors seemed disoriented. Laurie Metcalf was one of the best actors on the show but seems to have reverted to her post season six caricature. Becky, who was preparing to apply to college in that same season, still hasn't finished high school and is looking to be a surrogate in her mid-40s? The storyline about Darlene's genderqueer kid felt like it had been sitcom sanitized in a way that the old show wouldn't have allowed. Roseanne had a few good one liners but the show and those in it have lost their edge.
2
Tom W: As someone over 65 I find your comment ageist. But then that fits in with racist, sexist and xenophobic, all of which are extremely popular positions now.
2
Roseanne isn't the only one; there are a lot of actors/other artists currently leaning to political extremes - which is their right. But consumers have a right to no longer buy their work.
IMO, in the past Republicans - like the late author Tom Clancy and Clint Eastwood - had no problems with being known Republicans. But Mr. Eastwood has become more vocal and extreme, with that unfortunate "talking to the empty chair" thing at the 2012 Republican Convention being the most vivid example. I personally was very disappointed in 2016 when (multimillionaire) "Dilbert" cartoonist Scott Adams declared his Trump support. He couches it on his blog as dispassionate analysis of Trump's "powers of persuasion", but like Roseanne Barr, he struggles to explain it logically.
And one of my managers was devastated on finding out musician Exene Cervenka (of a quite famous punk rock band called X) is a conservative "truther"/Trump supporter. I looked her up.
"Cervenka fueled negative press and questions about her mental health in 2014 when she suggested in a series of now-deleted YouTube videos that the Isla Vista massacre, in which Elliot Rodger killed six UCSB students before taking his own life, was a hoax carried out by former President Barack Obama."
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/warren-kinsella/when-even-rock-stars-like-...
I guess the common denominator I see in the Trump-supporting celebrities is that they have money - and a visceral dislike of President Obama.
28
"And one of my managers was devastated on finding out musician Exene Cervenka (of a quite famous punk rock band called X) is a conservative "truther"/Trump supporter. I looked her up."
Ironically, when looking her up (because I didn't know much about her when the manager mentioned being upset about this), I found that Exene Cervenka's ex-husband, (the great) actor Viggo Mortensen, is an example of the opposite side of the spectrum: the "Never Hillary!" celebrities. Like Susan Sarandon, it does make me look at some actors - the ones who are completely non-apologetic about their votes - a bit differently when they are playing a role now. Which is a sign of the times, I suppose.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/viggo-mortensen-goes-green-i-trust-hillary...
"Viggo was an outspoken Bernie Sanders supporter, but ever since the Bern’s final embers went out, he’s redirected his allegiance to Green Party candidate Jill Stein. Yes, Aragorn is no fan of Hillary Clinton. ...'I trust Hillary about as much as I trust Donald Trump. I think she’s dishonest, I don’t think she has the interests of working people at heart, and I think she’s shown that time and again. All the things that Bernie Sanders said about her I agree with.' "
5
You disparage Trump-supporting celebrities as "having money." So I suppose all those Trump-hating celebrities are poor common people?
I actually never watched the old Roseanne, but I intend to check out the new one. I love that she is doing what she thinks is right - even if I think her beliefs about Nafta are simplistic - and giving the so-called non-elite, those who really are looked upon as inferior, a voice.
3
Another Trump supporter. Sad.
4
By 'non-elites' you mean the Muslims, Mexicans, women, transgender, ect a voice? Or do you mean the average middle and upper middle income Trump supporter who don't like social progress a voice?
1
to mCan we please stop repeating this meme that nobody gets the working class except for people who know how to tap into their resentments? The idea that The Donald knows, or cares more about their situation than ANY politician in Washington is ABSURD. What has he EVER done for them, other than peddling his merch and listening to them cheer him at rallies?
Life for Ms. Barr appears to be some kind of performance. Either she is genuinely a horrible judge of character, or perhaps she is a fellow narcissist who admires Trumps ability to mirror working class concerns much the way she does. or maybe a combination of both.
35
Though they bear a fairly striking resemblance to each other, my mother never liked Roseanne or her sit-com or her brand of comedy right from the start.
My Mom is very perceptive.
18
That Clinton/NAFTA canard needs to be put to rest. It's genesis was under Reagan. Bush actually negotiated the deal and signed it. The Senate ratified it under Clinton who worked to improve environmental and worker protections.
And, actual unemployment fell and employment rose in Illinois during the years of the show, peaking at 6.9 percent in 1992 before NAFTA was ratified.
But do bring back the Sandra Bernhard character, as a Bernie supporter.
33
FYI:
NAFTA was created by George H.W. Bush not President Clinton.
Here, see for yourself:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Free_Trade_Agreement
1
If you want to retro NAFTA, why not go back to the bracero program? And, before that there was ......... Blame it on Columbus.
I guess all the people who publicly berated Roseanne for her National Anthem rendition will now cheer her for the politics of her new show. Tribalism is alive and well....
27
Comedian Issa Rae when asked for whom she is rooting at the 2017 Emmys "I'm rooting for everybody black!" Tribalism, indeed.
I wanted to watch this (I enjoyed the show originally), but I can't get past Roseanne Barr's support of Trump. If it was just Roseanne Conner who supported him, fine. But there is nothing funny about supporting this administration, and I can't support the show.
51
Well well well. Ya can't separate your politics from comedy. To me that seems a wee bit narrow minded. In the show Jackie was a Hillary supporter and her character is funny because it plays of Rosanne and Dan's conservative point of view. What did you want another beat up Trump TV sitcom? Oh how different that would be?? NOT!
I was hesitant to watch for fear that Ms Barr's politics would be to in your face. It was actually very "subdued" with banter between characters, especially between Ms Barr and Ms Metcalf being no different than what you see or hear in public or social media with the end result being you can get along despite your political affiliations.
3
Entertainment would be fine, but spreading her own "fake news" as historical fact is NOT okay. You really think her adoring fans can tell the difference? (Like Trump's base can, I suppose)
1
I used to watch the original in reruns from time to time and got some chuckles. Some of the episodes brought up issues and concerns of working people and gave insight into how many live.
My only hope for this new version, which I haven't watched, is that one, or more, of the significant characters becomes a victim of trumpty's policies and then sheds light for the audience on what is really going on in the daily life of working people under this dystopian regime. Barr is free to have her own opinion, of course, but she sounds out of touch. Perhaps the show's writers will do a better job of surfacing the dichotomy of our current time where we've experienced the greatest transfer of wealth from working people to the leisure class and how this is making America great. Perhaps one of the characters can be a college student struggling to meet tuition, or perhaps a recent grad who can't find solid employment and is faced with 40k in college loans, or a single mom working 2 jobs who's kids are struggling in school because there's no one home, or retired grandparents who lost their savings in the 2008 crash, or Dreamers whose entire life has been built here in the US and are now facing deportation, or a family facing medical emergencies with no health care, or... And then explain to us again how trumpty is helping solve this.
PS: I happen to live down the road from her farm and her country market.
19
I thought the original series depicted the struggles of a working or non-working family quite well. The policies then are the policies now. Only the names change. The best episode:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrectdcH81U
2
Agree. So many people were duped by Trump and still don't realize that Trump is out for Trump...
How about people being crushed by Obamacare?
Never watched the show 20 years ago and will not watch it now.
I'll stick to my Netflix, thank you.
12
The Roseanne show was tedious and depressing 21 years ago and this supposed revival looks to be even more so.
Again, another unfortunate sign we are devolving instead of evolving. When asked very reasonable pertinent questions in the interview, Barr showed herself to be a typical misinformed and dumbed down Trump supporter...either no answer, deflection, or the ubiquitous..."What about Hilary?"
ABC trotting out this old crude excuse for entertainment is the reason we no longer watch or subscribe to cable television.
My guess is not many NYT's readers will be watching.
19
Many NYT readers voted for Hillary. We could make fun of you all for even entertaining her for office.
The show is what it is. Watch it or don't, but I think it's great that almost 1,000 people have taken some time out of the day to comment. The ones that say they never watched it then or now are kidding themselves because they have to reconcile with the fact that they cannot stand something that does not agree with their opinions. The main point of having one character support Trump while another does not is intended to show that people can coexist with others that do not share their views.
18
Which is fine, but don't make the assertion that liberals want "free" healthcare, that as she put it in last nights show 3.27 to her sister. Everyone knows that nothing is free, for some the fact that we already give the government money via taxes, that we have a right to expect something from the very entity we support. The rich and corporations want to exist in this country but don't want to contribute to the kitty.
And those fantastic tax cuts, I know mine amounted to just over 380.00 a year. wow, a 1% cut. Except, next year, more of my NET INCOME will now be taxable, yet the rich well, they have a benefactor both in the White House and in congress. As the show wears on, there will be more of Roseanne Barr's take on the working class, (which she hasn't been for well over 20 years, in fact she has a net worth of 80 million). So really what does she know of the working and middle class Americans. one word, nothing.
6
I can stand that many people don't agree with my opinions. One of my opinions is I have a right to choose what shows I watch. I have decided to boycott the show and I am sure no one will care, but I will care. It is a point of personal preference and internal integrity. I am boycotting crazy people, especially stars, who embrace conspiracy theories like birtherism, and who don't believe in truth, democracy, economic fairness, science or equality. That is what Trump supporters have signed up for.
6
Personally, I haven't noticed much desire to "coexist" on the part of the President 's hardcore supporters. They mostly seem motivated to destroy what they don't understand.
2
Funny or not (actually not), she gets no support from me.
25
Roseanne mentions that people "want to stick to their narrative". Well, in her case if she was just a garden variety Trump supporter, maybe I'd overlook that. But she's not. She's the full on, James Woods/Ted Nugent variety. She filled her Twitter with all the most rank, ridiculous conspiracy theories about Hillary. She repeats every right wing rumor/false accusations. She actually needed to go through and delete her Twitter account because it was so nasty. So no, I don't want to line her horrid pockets with any of MY hard-earned money or time spent watching her "comeback". I, for one, wish that she would return to her Macadamia Nuts, never to be heard from again.
41
But alas... there were 18 million viewers. That's huge.
Like it or not (personally I do not), Roseanne is actually in the majority - one of the 53% of white women who voted thumbs-up for misogyny, ignorance and bigotry in 2016.
Other Hollywood elites who are pro-Trump and whose careers are doing just fine:
Bruce Willis
Susan Sarandon (Bernie or buster)
James Woods (rabidly pro-Trump)
I'm sure there's a decent number of fairly powerful TV and movie producers that we've never heard of who are also pro-trump.
But of course none of this will keep 'trumpTV' from proclaiming daily that Hollywood is a 'liberal bastion'.
9
Well it seems to me that Bruce Willis is a has been, and his new movie a remake of a Charles Bronson movie, isn't doing so well, it's only made 40 million WORLD WIDE, so who's Bruce Willis again. And what about James Woods, well he's not doing anything much, some voice over, in 2017, that's it, so much for a booming career.
1
Disappointing show. The Trump stuff was just more useless yelling across party lines and devoid of any insights. The biggest surprise for me, though, was the wooden acting and total lack of chemistry between the characters. Watched the first half and won't be back.
11
If Roseanne's new show is supposed to depict the downtrodden Trump supporter, it was hardly a complimentary depiction. Her character is as crass as ever. Her husband's character is clearly an alcoholic. They are steeped in behaviors that don't contribute to good health. Their two adult daughters are hardly examples of successes. Of course the son is a war veteran, so he's untouchable. The show tries to be "current" in that Darlene's son likes to dress in feminine garb and the son married a woman of color. Was it funny? Barely. The show did prove though that Laurie Metcalf, a superb dramatic and comedic actress, deserves her own show!
10
I could not make it through the first episode, and that is not because of politics. We have become much more sensitive to the problem of bullying since the original show aired and Roseanne Connor is a bully. She get her laughs by belittling and insulting everyone around her. She is unable to apologize for her cruelty. The show just tells young people it is ok to to insult and belittle others as long as you get a laugh out of it. I won't watch it again.
249
Bingo Ms. Gauvin - I do believe you nailed it. I thought your second to last closing sentence said it all. Thank you for sharing this post.
13
Getting laughs "by belittling and insulting everyone around her". Huh, sounds oddly familiar...
Maybe that explains her affinity for mr. 'politically incorrect'.
9
She's Trump-lite.
3
It’s sad when we cannot judge an artists work on its merit because we disagree with their politics. I will see the show, and I do not agree with Barrs politics. I believe her political arguments in this interview to be shallow, I hope they are more complex and enlightening in the discourse presented with the structure of the show.
Trump won because he presented the suffering with a chance. His whole campaign when Bannon took over came down two questions: Do you think the Democrats care about you? What have you got to lose?
Hillary never acknowledged that because she is a terrible political campaigner who never knew the value of keeping her ear to the ground to find out the dangers ahead for her campaign. It’s why Bernie almost beat her, and why Trump did beat her.
The Roseanne Barr’s of this world who supported Trump have the responsibility to keep him to his word. They have absolutely failed at this, and make lame excuses for his behavior as President. Therefore, they deserve every morsel of scorn thrown at them because they are now shown to be nakedly shameless suckers who kowtow to a power base that has no respect for them. The Republicans are now the cult of Trump, watching him break promises, creating a swamp of oceanic proportions, and applauding him for it.
215
Trump put forth so many bad ideas I hope he cannot carry some of them out. Keeping him to his word is a horrible idea!
2
well spoke.
I respect Barr as an artist and I have some faith that she wants to seek truth.
As we shimmy into our next war of political and military-industrial convenience
with Bolton in and the midterm elections approaching, I'll be curious about Barr's apparent concern for the working class kids (on the enemy side as well) who will have to fight it. Or will this be another trumpian case of words as smoke.
1
I think the notion that many of Trump’s supporters were somehow “suffering” in any real sense has been debunked. They were mostly white and middle class with a few particularly uneducated and racist working class folks. They were only suffering from the fact that they don’t get to run the show anymore.
1
I suspect bringing Roseanne back as Pro-Trump is the reason that Last Man Standing got canned. ABC simply could not stomach having two programs with major characters who are Pro Trump. It might have have put ABC on a Hollywood blacklist.
They would have needed an exorcism with at least 6 programs focusing on Pro-Abortion, Anti-Christian, Pro-Islam, Anti-Male, Pro-Atheist, and Anti-Cop... even if they have those already.
2
I didn't like her then, and I don't like her now. And I don't understand how any truly creative or philanthropic person can support Trump, the great destroyer. And far from the best friend the LGBTQ community has ever had, Trump is one of the worst enemies. Shame on ABC for giving this deplorable woman the opportunity to endorse a hateful agenda.
14
All ABC cares about is the money.
4
Network TV is dead if all it can do is revive variants of the 1950's style "situation comedy"-> Looooooooseeee, I'm hommmmmmmmmme!
3
Rosanne Barr has a net worth of $80,000,000.00, that puts her in the top 1%. Any wonder she supports Trump?
35
If it were just a question of different sides of coin, Roseanne's support of Trump wouldn't influence my decision about something as trivial as a sitcom on television. Unfortunately, "normalizing" Trump is normalizing hatred, bigotry, hypocrisy and white supremacy. Making it cute and humorous is revolting.
19
I loved the first one.
Let's call this "One and done".
If I made a list of what Trump is, then, that list would be the opposite of who Barr/Conner was first time around.
I'll pass.
The Original Roseanne would never have supported a man who grabs at women, wants to jail them if they have an abortion and lies about them.
Roseanne would never support that kind of slob.
Count me, "One and done."
14
Saw every episode the first time around. I loved Roseanne, cannot believe the woman depicted in the original show would support a man that bragged about sexually assaulting women because he was rich and famous. I will not watch the show and when the advertisers are published, they will go on my do not give my money to list. I am ashamed of you Roseanne Barr.
21
People are struggling, and Trump has no clue why. Nor does Roseanne. Nor do, for that matter, the Trump supporters he so carefully panders to. So she will capitalize on their struggles with dumb, non-starter fixes.
10
Ah, the intolerance and hate is on full display over a sit-com. No surprise.
11
The word intolerance is misused when discussing political differences.
Intolerance is the inability to accept differences among people *over things which they have no control of* (skin color, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, etc...) leading to treating entire groups of people as less than human.
Of course those on the right like to throw this word back in liberals faces without understanding the actual meaning of it. Similar to how the current potus co-opted the term 'fake news', which used to mean news from dubious sources that was literally made up, but now seems to mean news from credible sources that potus doesn't like because it portrays him as he is, not as he pretends to be.
8
was fully on display in the episode.... that's for sure.... Ignorance proudly displayed.
1
Though we may never watch her show we'll support her challenge.
Being from San Diego, her butchering/mocking of the National Anthem at the Padre game still leaves a bad taste in the mouths of this military town.
Archie Bunker broke ground she may do the same.
Good luck Roseanne.
rvn70/71
2
Yea, what was funny about the Archie character was that many "fans" actually didn't think he was doing a parody of a stupid bigot, they identified with him.
The pResident as the champion of the little guy? I might be more comfortable with some of that kool-aid too.
The first episode included: surrogate mothers, gender-fluid children, the high cost of prescription drugs, job layoffs, life coaching, diabetes, blood pressure, war veterans, interracial marriage/adoption (not clear which yet), single parenthood, political division in families, guns...What will they do the rest of the season?
I watched with an open mind. I did not love it. The best thing about it was Darlene and her son, who should have their own show without all of the other noise.
2
The comments from anti-Trumpers are hysterical. When you get to the point where you can't even watch a sitcom about a family divided over Trump that's just pathetic. It's a TV show man! Get over it! And it's hysterical!
7
Get over what? When you get to the point you judge others because they don't watch shows you find funny and you think they should watch because you do, that's just pathetic. Watch away, Bruce. Those of us who are not watching either because of Roseanne's hypocrisy or not liking the show don't care what you think.
3
Just as Barr makes excuses for Trump, her fellow cast makes make excuses for Barr.
9
Rosanne Barr's repulsive performance of the Star Spangled Banner at a Padres baseball game years ago says all one needs to know about this tacky, crude national disgrace.
8
hes our president, she should be supporting him just like everyone else needs to :)
1
Did you support Barak Obama when he was president?
16
I accept that he is President, for now. Acceptance is not the same as approval. I do not "need to" like his ideas and vague plans, which are mostly awful. I do not support him, his lying, womanizing or bigotry. You are free to do as you want.
1
He had his opponents, but people weren't on TV regularly calling him names.
Somebody paid Michael J. Fox to say nice things about Ronald Reagan, remember..
Yes, Dude, I used to like that show in the 80s, and even identified with Alex P. Keaton a little bit.
That's the character that Michael J. Fox was portraying, and honestly I have no idea what Mr. Fox's opinions were on Reagan then or now.
Also, Michael J. Fox is Canadian (you know, that socialistic nation to our north that has universal healthcare and strong labor unions?), so not sure why or if his opinions necessarily matter.
The new "Roseanne" looks like a character very susceptible to micro-targeted psychographing. It's a shame, in these days of social manipulation and propaganda more like Naziism than anything we've seen since, she'll be played as a socially heroic 'murican. It's irresponsible.
6
Loved every minute of Roseanne's show. This country has become so PC, up tight, and thin skinned that it's making everyone nuts. Hope she keeps up the good work. We need to laugh at ourselves more, like the old I Love Lucy, and Carol Burnett days.
63
Nazi-esque propaganda is everywhere. Be careful you don't drink the Kool Aid. Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett did not indulge in propaganda but Roseanne Barr does.
9
I didn't watch the show, because I didn't like her old one. Lucy had us laughing with her, not at anyone.
4
hobbs , You're far off base , agree we need to laugh like with I love Lucy etc but you've got it wrong , Roseanne's humor is mean spirited , that is not humor when you laugh at someone else's expense but a show of a person's cruelty . To be sure, this isn't thin skinned but real Christian values .
4
She just couldn’t stay in Hawai’i quietly on her nut farm, could she?
11
So she now runs a nut farm? Perfect.
9
Ms. Barr articulated the fatigue that, in part, doomed Hilary Clinton— the fatigue of endless war. Much of the US public did not see the value of (or US interest in) engagements in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, arming of Saudi Arabia or Saber rattling with Iran.
There was an expectation, fueled by Trumps rhetoric that he and the disaffected Reagan/ Obama Dems we aligned.
As soon as a juvenile Trump assumes office he learned from establishment Dems and Republicans alike— the way to get praise (and your toys back after a tantrum) was to ear monger. And he has. The powerful interests, foreign and domestic that favor guns, bombs and War have assumed control of the stealing wheel.
Sad. In every possible way.
5
Everything Trump warned would happen if Clinton was elected is happening only worse than imaginable.
What a vile, ignorant, rude, unpleasant woman Ms Barr is. I hope the show bombs. Again.
11
She's actually none of those. And as far as "bombing", her show was rated #1 back in the 90s. Also, sir, IF her show were to succeed this time around, it would keep many people employed. This is what this country is worried about.
4
One can work at an honorable job or a dishonorable job. If I was in the entertainment industry I would refuse to work on this show. Personal choice. Others can do what they want, of course.
1
I think you only need to read the interview to know that she is ALL of those. And ABC can make something new, original and a lot funnier and still keep all those people employed. And she can go back to Hawaii and be with the pineapples.
Her show was brilliant the first time, and these first two episodes aren't any less so. Just as with "The X-Files," all the chemistry remains; that's the foundation on which everything else rests.
3
The interviewer came out and said that "Trump doesn't support gay marriage". How can he not be called out for this? Trump has stated time and again that he is fine with that and he would not change any laws. How does an interviewer get that wrong?
4
The platform on which he ran clearly stated his Party's opposition. How are you unaware of this?
If Barr doesn't agree with Pence's policies, she shouldn't have voted for the ticket. Trump, regardless of what his doctor says, appears extremely unfit and he is a senior citizen. The job is stressful. Pence is only one heartbeat away from being president.
6
I am not sure the presidency stresses Trump. Maybe Mueller and his approval ratings and his businesses. But the notion that he cares about the country is absurd.
I was never a fan of this show before, but I think "Roseanne" represents a large swath of life in America.
Maybe their story lines could explain why this demographic has such a great love for this self-absorbed billionaire president.
Love to hear an evangelical defend their whole "mulligan and forgiveness" attitude on such an amoral man.
8
I've heard the evangelicals' defense of supporting Trump. It is sophistry and unconvincing. They want abortion banned and to have Christian rules instead of our Constitution, with separation of church and state. They are willing to go into the gutter with Trump, values be damned.
Roseanne is exactly like my mom. She is a smart person who likes the IDEA of Trump. Examining the details of his policy prescriptions require effort and critical thought that she is not willing to expend. It is easier to stay in love with the fantasy that someone outside the box is the answer to our problems. And it also provides a convenient excuse for failure- "Well, he's a businessman, not a politician!"
19
Your last line is a good one. Even the media spread this narrative that Trimp
was ‘in a learning curve’ or ‘outside the beltway.’ Where else would a someone inexperienced and unqualified be hired in the first place? You don’t hire a dentist as your surgeon and say ‘Well he’s new to the heart.’
It is ridiculous and BTW - Trump is not a ‘businessman.’ He is a reality TV star.
1
I have not had the chance to watch this new reboot yet, but I grew up watching the original Roseanne. I'm the same age as the Darlene character, so I had a strong connection to the show.
I disagree that Roseanne would be a Trump supporter today. She was a loud, opinionated feminist - something Republicans hate. Furthermore, I always believed Roseanne would be too savvy to fall for Trump's grift on the working class. Roseanne was supposed to be smart - one of the underlying themes of the show was that she sacrificed her potential because kids, money concerns and life in general got in the way.
I feel like I'm mourning the loss of a feminist hero.
12
I never cared for either Rosanne Barr as a comedian/actress or for the original series. I always found it to be pedestrian both in its attempts at contemporary humor and political commentary.
And after she advised Jimmy Kimmel to "zip" his mouth to curtail criticism of Donald Trump, I am even less inclined to pay her any attention at all.
17
Donald Trump is NOT funny-he is dangerous. Roseanne Barr now is in the same category-unfunny.
11
The original was great. Eagerly watch the two new episodes. Pummeled with political correctness. Will not be returning.
8
Well, never really watched the series the first time around, and am now even less inclined to watch its redux version. No thanks.
14
Ms. Barr, I still remember your patriotism on display when you "sang" our national anthem so long ago in San Diego.
Fell free to tell your story singing, and walking.
8
I come from a working class family. "Roseanne" is the depiction of crude, vulgar, dysfunctional relationships that was not my family life nor that of other working class families I have known. Perhaps, that was the relationships Ms. Barr grew up with; if it was, she has my sympathy.
To project her personal experiences on others is an insult to working families everywhere.
35
Then again, my aunt and uncle were just like Roseanne & Dan - I used to love they way they kid each other all the time...there was always levity in their household even though there were difficulties; bills to pay, problems with the kids, unplanned pregnancies, etc....they were a great team - miss them.
As for this go-round of Roseanne...it was a amusing - but the gratuitous insert of fey and black grandchildren was hard to believe statistically - each event has about less than a one percent chance of occurring in a white, lower to middle class home....so these story lines are really forced. I get that she wants to talk about these issues but they really don't touch the lives of the great majority of people in the USA.
2
Rosanne Barr is certainly no Rita Moreno.
14
Some people voted for Trump because they barely follow politics at all. Others support him because they are two sandwiches short of a picnic. I have always thought Ms. Barr fell into the latter category, but of course that does not mean that she is not creatively talented. I recall the episodes on the original series where the older daughter, Becky, learned there was no family fund for her to attend college and ended up eloping with her boyfriend, Mark. It was a powerful storyline then, and it resonates even more now.
15
Anything to drum up media attention and potential interest in the show
7
It makes total sense that The Connors would be Trump supporters. With that said, what bugs me about the WWC support of Trump is they consistently fail to go beyond the rhetoric. So you think trade deals and Clinton’s NAFTA screwed the unions and WWC. So what exactly has Trump and the GOP done about that? Trump feeds these people faux empathy while he implements the policies of the union-busting GOP-Koch agenda. He stumps for the anti-union guy who just lost in PA. He appoints Puzder as Labor Secretary. In his businesses he would fail to pay the Dan’s and Roseanne’s.
Maybe the WWC cannot get ahead because they cannot digest facts and move beyond the campaign speeches to the actions of who they vote for.
Trump with his outsourcing and contractor stiffing is no friend to the WWC. Expressing their outrage is as far as he will ever go in helping them.
30
ABC is nuts. Why would they get rid of their #1 comedy and #2 show overall, Last Man Standing" for its conservative message and then bring back this looser show. Having the main character be a Trump supported compounds the fickleness. ABC would have been much better off making making Last Man Standing a one hour show.
7
I agree. Whatever its leanings, "Last Man Standing" was actually funny, which is more than you can say about 90% of what's on TV, now.
1
What is the point of headlining a story about the New Roseanne being a Trump supporter, then we find 15 questions in that she doesn't want to answer them? On the LGBT questions "I don't know. You'll have to ask someone else." On Labor unions "Let's not get into this"??, and then when pressed NAFTA and Clinton. If the NYT is going to hand out free advertising to ABC, the least they could do was answer the mildly softball questions presented. I don't read the Times for something Entertainment weekly of Extra could have done just as poorly. This was a huge disappointment. Comeon NYT's let's "get into it" see those macadamia engorged feet put to the fires of truthful responsibility.
32
I think the article/interview is "mission accomplished". Reading it and seeing Ms. Barr's inability (not resistance) to answer the "mildly softball questions" speaks volumes. Perhaps not much critical thinking going on ?
10
Her bumbly defense of Trump shows that it's just PR. With her handler to help her out. Jeez.
18
"If you can't beat them, join them"?
1
Roseanne was never funny. It was crude and vulgar. Fits the Trump age.
21
When Archie Bunker played an ignorant conservative it was funny. In these times, with a monster destroying everything this country stands for, I don't find any humor in a Trump supporter. I have no intention of watching.
44
The Mrs. Conner I remember, would never stand for bigotry.
13
Or men who grab women's anatomy.
6
Nothing funny or entertaining about Trump support, sorry.
19
Forget the blue collar. What they're really about is the red armband.
17
Voting for Trump was a thumbs up for Pence and supporting Trump a thumbs down for Pence?
Come again?
12
So there you have it.
Another reason for Trump to spend hours flopped on his bed eating ding dongs and watching his admirers talk about him on TV instead of at least attempting to do something useful.
Thanks, Roseanne.
15
Roseanne and Trump have one thing in common..they are both extinct dinosaurs.
15
How do you save a problem like Rosanne? Boycott ABC, boycott her advertisers, write a lot of emails and cause a ruckus on social media.
Anyone who supports Trump is a threat to our democracy and does not value human decency, truth, justice and the rule of law.
It's so easy for a multi-millionaire to roll the dice with this clown being as they can easily move out of the country and leave the rest of us to try to deal with all the damage he's causing.
20
I will not share this article and give her any promo....and I will NEVER watch her show.
12
As a woman who has some gravitas and is a accomplished and has some smarts, I am floored that she supports Drumpf.
His abuse and predation of women should be a signal to her that he does not give one wit about others and is just an old man who wants to prey on women and others who are not like him.
He does not deserve the office but alas, there are enough shills who masquaraded as voter to elect him.
What does that say about this country?
14
As I read these comments, I wonder when liberals became so intolerant of views that don't mesh with their own. From afar, it sounds like the same criticism I held for the Tea Party activists in the recent past. Does anyone remember when we used to debate with those that disagreed with us? Now it seems like we are content to dismiss and ignore opinions that we don't agree with. We are becoming ideological zealots.
15
Dear RC,
It's a response to the conservatives becoming completely intolerant of just about everything, and fully unwilling to listen to reason. There is no point in trying to debate things with a Trump supporter, because they don't understand their own cause, and they won't change their minds about it.
Also, is there really any reason to avoid being intolerant of white supremacists? I don't think such racism should be tolerated, and white supremacists are universally Trump supporters.
3
I haven't seen a single one of these shows. Never will. I grew up in a working-class family that counted every dime.
But we weren't stupid.
22
Fake poor person supports fake president. Actually rich actress sells a bill of goods to working class people for ratings. Actually rich actress makes a mint. Actually rich actress pays less taxes. Working class people think actually rich actress and fake president are looking out for them. Media sells the notion that one party doesn't understand the plight of the poor, despite a consistent record of advocacy. Sound familiar? Hard times.
23
She and her show disgust me. This reboot is trying to pull a Will and Grace, except that where Will and Grace add to society and tolerance, is inspirational and hilarious, Roseanne tries to celebrate poverty and intolerance though cynicism. It may get ratings, but it wont get my eyeballs.
9
Never thought much of her to begin with. Think even less of her now.
10
When I was growing up, my mother would never allow us to watch Rosanne. We had a pretty wide latitude for these things but that show was forbidden.
Why? Mom always said she was Trash, and so was her show. This article and her behavior over the years just confirms it- always listen to your mother.
9
Only smart in stating the crude and obvious. Haven't missed her
don't care, as informative as the sound of air brakes. John Goodman
should stick with the Coen brothers.
5
Wow, it’s historic!! Today, I finally found a fair appreciation of Trump’s presidency in this paper. Although it’s from the interviewee not from the reporter, it’s still one important and big step. Good job, boy!
2
Heh, a fair representation that was clueless and incapable of naming one good thing about Trump. Seems about right.
I am sure the show will portray some fantasy about how the working class had some reason to elect the blatantly pathologically lying, scientist slandering, healthcare sabotaging racist.
In real life that man has ripped apart families, slandered the desperate, and his actions of sabotage have killed more innocent Americans than every terrorist attack in history combined. That is reality.
Any show pushing alternative fact propaganda is vile and should get the scorn it deserves.
11
Thought she died years ago.
Not funny back then and probably not funny today.
Big pass.....
5
Roseanne is a has been for many years THIS PERSON WHO LOVES AND VOTED FOR THE "SO CALLED" PRESIDENT DESERVES EACH OTHER. SHE MIGHT BE GREAT FOR EVERYBODY ELSE BUT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ETHCS AND TASTE ROSEANNE needs to go back to Hawaii. This program is very tasteless as the fake laughs we hear in the fake audiences when this fake program aires. This program isn't the way everyday americans are really portrayed. This show isn't entertainment
!
4
Just another Trump supporter who can't offer a good argument for that support.
15
As with it's predecessor this Rosanne show celebrates vulgarity, bigotry, and ignorance. It's re-emergence as a sequel is a symbol of the decay of our democracy.
9
Watched the show last night and found it deplorable and a waste of time...
Barr, a millionaire with a bad facelift and obvious anger issues, thinks he represents the working class? Thinks she has a sophisticated political understanding? Hah!
Her working class is brutish, angry, coarse, and dumb... with throwback values that are harmful and unpleasant to watch.
8 episodes? I hope she'll then go back to her nuts in private.... if it lasts that long. Not an ounce of talent to be seen.
11
I note that the interviewer makes a stubborn attempt to "refute" what his subject is saying in response to his questions about Trump. That doesn't seem to be an interviewer's proper role.
But I give you credit at least for leaving it in the "edited and condensed" material. I hope the editors do not believe that it enhanced his work.
I think the editors hope that the readers see - from the unedited interview - that she is just another trump supporter that has absolutely no explanation of that support.
Republicans wrote NAFTA. Republicans passed NAFTA.
But somehow that part is just left out of the right wing narrative.
12
I liked Rosanne Barrs old show. I saw only a little of this reunion show and listened to classical music instead. As soon as she started talking about support Trump and the GOP off went the boob tube. If they have another reunion show retire her and just use the rest of the cast. Republican support talk on tv shows now is political suicide for the show. Wake up Hollywood we don't need any more actors as President.
4
How many years has its been since Roseanne was blue collar? I'm tired of Hollywood types who think they know what it's like to be poor in America.
10
After she butchered the national anthem, I was done with Rosanne. Last night I watched the documentary about Dolores Huerta and the farm workers on PBS. Not all union members live in the Rust Belt. Huerta connected with various movements to show shared issues and common causes. Barr is just another Hollywood-type, out to cash in on her celebrity.
9
Thank you Roseanne and cast for making us laugh again. I loved every minute of the show. It was refreshing to see the use of humor highlight our differences and similarities. As Roseanne stated in previous interviews that despite our political leanings we are all Americans. Hopefully this show will bridge the gap between conservatives and liberals.
8
Just imagine Trump's tweet about Roseanne if she had a show opposing him. A has been, not funny, low ratings, and not his type (to put it more kindly than I believe he would).
5
She was a joke then, and a joke now. Playing the blue color role is a far cry from living it. It's not funny, and not a joke. People are struggling.
10
She is soooo ahead of the curve. love it!!!
5
David Mamet has turned into a right-winger. Not flocking to his plays anymore either.
1
Keep listening - never shut your ming or heart...how will you ever be able to argue your points if you don't understand those yo do not think like you?
1
There's a companion article in the Times, "How Should I Watch the Roseanne Reboot" (paraphrased)?
After hearing this vulgar loudmouth brag on her boy Trump (and did you pick up on the dismissive pushback when she was challenged --sound familiar? It's the public persona of this administration) there's only one good answer:
Don't.
9
Art reflects reality so it is only natural that with 60 odd million Trump dummies - there would be a show for them. Like Trump, Roseanne is a low wattage know-it-all with a checkered past. No surprise here.
The only good thing I see is that Roseanne is a well known and outspoken advocate of legal pot and the hemp industry.
Maybe she will catch the ear of walking antique Jeff Sessions
who ridiculously claims pot is worse than heroin. She can bring Trump and Sessions up to speed on this issue, and on that item - I wish her the best of luck! Go Roseanne!!!
2
Pretty politically clever of her to say she likes Trump so she can keep Pence out of the presidency. Pence is an equally bad choice of course but Pence might take the advice of people a lot smarter than he is. Trump is the worst president in U.S. history in my opinion. It is possible that Pence might give him a run for his money although he might tie with James Buchanan.
2
Another drip drip drip in the normalization of the whole Trump abomination. That is why this show is so offensive. It's enlightening to see how Roseanne herself even has her Trump facts wrong or causations skewed... just like the majority of Trump voters.
4
I hope we're not going to elevate this to some deep cultural moment. It's more a reflection on the low common denominator of Americans that like their entertainment, and their President, on the trashy side.
6
Notice how as time goes on Hollywood produces less and less new material and relies ever more strongly on remakes and resurrections? There's a problem with it too: if you're at all familiar with the original, you can see the shape of it peeking out underneath whatever has been plastered on top. It usually makes for less than sterling movies, and mediocre television too.
Aside from that... Roseanne Barr is bringing Roseanne Connor back as a Trumpista? Great. I'll be doing something else when it's on. I'm so thoroughly disgusted by Donald Trump there's no chance that I'll ever want to watch a sitcom based on his values!
2
To think that DJT supports unions or workers' rights in any manner whatsoever is ludicrous. Rosanne Barr clearly knows nothing about the history of the labor movement in this country. And please, everyone, stop calling WHITE Trump supporters "the working class."
4
Roseanne Barr may think that it is funny to base a show on loving Trump but most people won't find that funny at all, given that he is one of the most hated men in America.
4
Times readers can't watch Roseanne because she supports Trump and not Clinton. If she had sold out and that she hates Trump, wants gun control, etc. they'd be all over it.
At least she has courage to say what she feels.
4
As do we.
You trumpets really need to bone up on the ole Free Speech thingy.
1
Ugh. Of all shows to bring back, this should have been last on the list. There's nothing funny about Roseanne. As I remember the show, there's nothing kind or sympathetic about Roseanne. Dan seemed like a nice guy, but Roseanne was just harsh, rude, and self-centered and belittled everyone around her. She's a bully to her sister, her kids and her husband. If her character is supposed to be what Trump supporters are like, I'm glad I don't know any.
4
I can’t figure out why Roseanne supported Trump if she considers Spence “way more radical.” I mean, the ticket, after all, was Trump/Pence. It wasn’t as if we had to wait until after the election to know who would be Trump’s pick for VP.
That being said, I’ll probably watch the show. I might have to turn it off like my parents did with Archie Bunker once it became clear Hollywood was inviting us to adore a bigot.
To me, watching Roseanne Barr's new show means supporting Donald Trump. I won't be watching.
1
Well, that was certainly convoluted and inarticulate and about nothing. Sort of like Trump himself.
1
wow is she showing her ignorance of basic facts...unions were on the ropes LONG before NAFTA (started declining at least in the 70s, beaten down by reaganism in the 80s), Trump is MORE likely to get working class kids sent to war and of course he's been terrible on lgbt rights. geesh. Maybe she is a good demonstration of people who voted for him after all.
5
Oh great, Roseann is back. How can she talk about NAFTA Clinton Unions etc... yet her performance of the National Anthem was more objectionable than any football player quietly taking a knee during the song when they seek to draw attention to the reality faced by African Americans. Oh but that is classic trump-- tout love of the military but bash John McCain.
Roseann is back? She is a one-trick pony.
2
RB is like so many GOP: rich, living in an extremely expensive place, owning an extremely expensive product and pretending to understand the working class. Go ahead; dupe 'em again.
3
She epitomizes a deplorable which is a poorly educated loud mouth. I won't be watching but there isn't anything I watch on network TV. How many minutes of commercials per half hour are they up to now?
3
Note that workers who vote "no" in union elections and scabs who cross picket lines are working class too. Note that the residents of South Boston and Dorchester who rioted against school integration in the 1970s in Boston, were working class too. But are they acting in the interests of the working class? No they are not. Roseanne falls into the same category. Shame on her.
1
I liked it better when Roseanne used to upset republicans so much; now they identify with her?? maybe that is the stunt.
1
Archie Bunker has done Trump already.
3
Appropriately so, since Bunker and Trump are both from Queens.
My guess: Trump loved watching 'All in the Family' as a young man - and didn't identify with Mike Stivic.
I must admit that after reading Roseanne's reasoning behind the disaffection of many middle American voters who live in hollowed-out former manufacturing communities, I understand a little more how this translate into support for Donald Trump.
Although in no way does this change my perception of Trump's character as a politician and a human being, there is little doubt in my mind that the political elites of both parties have miserably failed the people most harmed by the transformations wrought by globalization and technological change.
When I get angry about national affairs, my anger is usually reflected in my vote, so why should I question the same response in communities hollowed out by the widespread loss of economic viability? By the same token, why would I care about the identity issues that so concern the Democratic Party, or the care and comfort of the super-rich over which the GOP so persistently obsesses?
Even despite the angst so clearly evident on the ground, still, neither party gets it. Neither party has a concrete plan to address the social damage constructively. The GOP uses the suffering to drive divisive wedges into the American body politic, while the Democrats focus on issues that are totally irrelevant do the needs of people whose votes they need.
Thank you Rosanne. I don't agree with your political choices but you have shaken me out of my haughty smugness.
8
Why aren't working class people depicted on TV? I did always appreciate that about the show. Although I was never a huge fan of the original Roseanne, I'm intrigued to see this reboot where a regular working class family communicates their political differences while still loving each other. If I can gain even a little incite into why someone can support a man who exudes no integrity and has lied through his teeth to the public repeatedly, I figure it is worth seeing. If it turns into a Trump puff piece, I'm out of there.
3
It's good to have diverse opinions in media.
Pop culture is America's culture and a unified culture is necessary for mutual understanding.
4
Hoping this serves as a message to the network, dump the frump... She's still not relevant. Sorry to see a talented actor like Goodman would associate himself with this twaddle... Dan should have remained in his grave and let these women more typically survive as women in those circumstances do.
It's hypocrisy like Trump for a rich woman to represent the working class frump.
9
Yawn. They should have pitched this boring garbage to Fox. They could have run it right after Fox and Friends as reality TV docudrama. The Dotard would have lapped it up.
9
The real Roseanne would support him right up until she realized how much his policies had screwed her over.
One hopes the TV show will film the moment the character realizes she was had.
14
Why didn't she just do it on FOX and spare the rest of us?
10
Rosanne's old show - usually fairly funny. Rosanne Barr - always a cretin, and nothing's changed.
5
So Ms. Barr chooses to 'move on' when she doesn't want to answer a question?
hmmmmmn
9
common sense statements will always turn liberal talking points into great comedy
3
Because when conservatives can't make a counterargument, all they can do is laugh and look down on people. They thinking by laughing, that it shows they actually understand the issue when they have no idea.
4
I feel silly for it, but I feel disappointed in Rosanne Barr, that she is a Trump supporter. That she doesn’t see through his schtick, that she isn’t offended and repelled by his many and varied bigotries, hypocrisies, lies and abuses.
277
I wish people would see through the entire Republican Party, not just Trump.
14
she's just a provocateur, like many TV personalities that thrive on revving up audiences through click-bait media coverage of their latest "outrageous statements." who knows what her convictions really are, assuming she has any.
3
Both Roseannes represent the trump voter: ignorant, uneducated and unhealthy.
12
Never had any respect for Roseann, never liked her loudmouth show. And now more ignorance is exhibited just by the fact that she supports Trump. Like him, she bears a resemblance to being a loudmouth, bully, a negative and unprofessional individual. Not my style at all.
4
“I haven't watched any show below channel 13 with any regularity in about 25 years…” What a stereotypical liberal New Yorker comment from someone who obviously lives in a bubble of their own choosing. Fine. You’re allowed to watch and believe what you want, but you’ll never understand others with different ideas or life circumstances only watching channels 13 and above.
8
"He has said it several times, you know, that he’s not homophobic at all."
Ms. Barr is living in the same alternate reality that President Dennison is living in. Setting aside that he just said he would ban any service member who had an actual TG operation, and that he tried to ban ALL transgender personnel in the military, there is not a single gay person in his Cabinet, White House, or anywhere NEAR him.
If it walks like a duck, quacks like duck and acts like a duck...
10
Well, certainly Ms. Barr, and her fictional character, are accurate representations of the millions of people who voted for Trump, in direct contradiction of values and principles that they profess to hold dear. Evangelicals voting for a misogynistic, amoral, serial philanderer. Conservatives voting for shady businessman with an abominable record of mis-management. Union members voting for man who who hires only non-unionized and or illegal workers. Educated professionals who voted for a man who does not like to read, gets his information from Fox and Friends and has no understanding of the phrase "evidence based"....
Wasn't interested in the original, appalled at the re-boot.
8
My biggest beef isn't with Roseanne but with the fact that everything is getting a reboot. There has to be *someone* in Hollywood with a fresh idea, I would hope. I'm good with a show that pays homage to a previous show (like Arrested Development did to Soap), but just rehashing old shows and old characters? Really? Will and Grace, too? This isn't Dr. Who, where the show has evolved with different characters over time. Sometimes it's just best to leave things in the past.
5
@Tina: Lack of creativity as well as pure laziness, especially when killed-off characters are brought back from the far beyond with ludicrous explanations.
It’s beyond insulting to the viewer, and taints the original show’s legacy.
Barr discovered her 15 minutes of fame were down to the final seconds, and ABC is desperate for some kind of sit-com that it knew worked well back in the day (30 years ago). We’ll see how long it lasts.
(Either that, or she’s hoping to score a singing gig at the next Trump event.)
I watched the show last night. When the topic was politics, the anti-Trump views were as catchy and funny as the few pro-Trump views articulated by Roseanne's character. I was never a big "Roseanne" fan to start with, and this ain't Shakespeare. But doing a sitcom about a working class American family as if they're all the kinds of people who post comments on the New York Times website would be disingenuous. Interestingly, the episode last night undermined some common prejudices among a plurality of Trump voters while maintaining Roseanne's pro-Trump veneer. This may turn out to be more subversive than we think it will be (perhaps unintentionally because Roseanne doesn't seem to get how much this guy's success is driven by hatred of the very people she claims to support). I detest Trump with every ounce of my being, but the way to beat him is to figure out what persuadable others (i.e., not the ferocious racists and sexists who can't be persuaded who drive the core of his base) are attracted to in him. Judging from the comments here, I think people need to chill. Nobody was ever persuaded they were idiots by being told they're idiots.
16
Mr. Craig in KC. I do not agree with you, but your comments are thought out, while left of me, I applaud your comment. Very on point, this is a sit-com. I to enjoyed the banter and the knife of the various characters that cut both ways.
As a scout, I know what I am saying by you can ride on my horse any day.
3
I will always remember her version of the National Anthem which says it all when it comes to this woman.
3
Clearly, the person conducting the interview gets triggered that the person they are interviewing doesn't agree with them about their perception of Trump's views on same-sex marriage.
4
Omg, almost every liberal commenting here is as triggered and unhinged as they've been since the election. It's almost as amusing as it is alarming. Ditch the pussy hats and chill, people; you're upset, we get it. But you're NO MORE upset with Trump than conservatives were with eight years of Obama -- yet our response wasn't the histrionic (and often destructive/violent) tantrums we've witnessed from the Left recently.
2
If this show, in it's original incarnation, was holding a mirror up to society, and Ms. Barr is supposed to represent working-class Americans, then we've obviously missed the opportunity to deal with this country's festering sores, and the result is the election of the current President.
I don't think I've ever seen a more obnoxious disgusting person masquerading as an actress in the history of television, and for the life of me I cannot understand why Mr. Goodman, an actor of well-deserved success, would want to go back to this.
Thank god for Netflix.
5
If Roseanne is being truthful in this interview, I have new respect for her. She factually rejects the interviewer's attempt to misrepresent Trump's position on a number of issues, and she is not afraid to do so. The demonization of Trump is clearly apparent in the interviewer questions. And Roseanne refused to fall into the usual politically correct trap that ensnares 99% of the Hollywood elite. Good for her.
55
Trump is not being demonized by the media. I would agree with you IF the evidence of his lies wasn't in plain site for all to see. He lied about the tax plan costing him a fortune when if you actually read the reconciliation bill, it does not. He says he is not homophobic but chooses Pence to be one spot away from being president. He himself suggested that we turn out back on the idea of the founding fathers wanting free elections and then suggests that we should have a President for life (and he always says "I'm joking" when he gets backlash for anything).
We don't need the media to demonize him. We can read his tweets and watch what he says. He does a good enough job demonizing himself.
15
How is looking at Trumps actions and actual policies versus the empty rhetoric he routinely spouts demonization? Republicans have been anti union for decades.
11
I always hated this character who was a sloppy high school drop out. It seemed to be a horrible stereotype of blue collar and poor America. I just did not know any families where the monarch was like this. The joke is on Trump supporters if this loud mouth bullying character represents their thinking.
4
Hey Roseanne - you may want to check out Mike Pence’s views on gay marriage. You hypocrisy and utter denial reality is perfect for a Trump supporter. Roseanne, the unimaginably wealthy Hawaiian macadamia but “farmer” speaking for the modern working class - who is being destroyed by Trump and his corporate parasites - is a sadly delusional figure.
She represents no one but herself - also typical of her hero.
13
There is nothing appealing about Roseanne, the person.
3
And if she'd said "yeah, and this time around Rosanne's had a change of heart and really hates the Trump and stuff like that" liberals would be hailing all new episodes sight-unseen as the most important and brilliant TV experience imaginable, played by one of the greatest comics of all time who deftly counters any fat-shaming politics coming her way, a must-watch for any responsible voter... and stuff like that.
It's extraordinary so many liberals have absolutely zero sense of humor.
6
Based on the comments I thought Roseanne was going o sound like some sort of crazed Trump zealot. She does not. She talks about wanting to address the fact that families are very diverse and are being torn apart by politics. That sounds like a worthy goal. Like it or not there are a lot of Trump supporters out there, and trying to understand them might be more helpful than demonizing them.
10
I'm reading comments again this morning, after having watched the show last night. That show was a shot over the bow for anyone who was willing to listen. Right or left.
The comparisons to Archie Bunker give away the bias in this thread. Bunker was a character - that character was a nationalistic bigot. Roseanne is not playing a bigoted character, or a nationalist - but she is a Trump supporter.
This country has serious problems, but they aren't as obvious or as simple as either the left or the right want them to be. Or need for them to be. Apparently
8
The fact that "flyover country" believes that Trump, exposed over and over as the biggest liar in the campaign, is "for them" for no other reason but that he says so--combined with the fact that they believe that Hillary was not for them because Trump and the media said so--proves that something IS wrong with flyover country. Sorry to be so condescending, but it's that simple. When the gullibility wears off, let the rest of us know.
9
Unfortunately neither the flyover country nor the coasts are a monolith. I understand how our elections work (and that's part of the problem) but it's the people who act in an unthinking fashion that you could condescend (and be sorry about), not every voter who lives in a specific geographical area (I know you don't mean it that way but still, when one sees the map go red in the areas outside cities, I think it creates the mistaken impression of unity when it's something like 60/40).
The problem really is tribal behaviour, which humans either need to overcome or they will end up the way of the dodo.
1
You are correct...I was just using the shortcut that the Trump voter seems to use to identify themselves.
Exactly the reason to not watch her new show.
1
Thanks Roseanne for coming over to the good side. We Love you
3
umm what's with the "we" stuff? You may love her but I didn't like her in the 90's and I sure don't like her now.
2
I liked the young Roseanne. The new one looks fake, makes me queasy.
2
I watched Roseanne through most of its original run but had close to zero interest in this revival. I just had no reason to watch it. That both character and actress are supporters of a despicable and loathsome man is a very strong reason to avoid it.
1
Her analysis of NAFTA and unions being broken up is incorrect. If you’re going to comment on these issues in a National arena then get some facts. Koch Brother Citizens United version of America influenced years of Republican policy in order to break unions. Unions have come against NAFTA and blanket tariffs. US farming industry does not support break up of NAFTA. Automation is what’s primarily shut down factories. American workers won’t work for what Chinese workers will work for anyway. But those jobs won’t come back due to automation. Trump himself manufactures his goods overseas. His administration has rolled back worker and union protections, spends wildly, is determined to destroy the environment, has isolate the US abroad and he is never a serious criminal investigation. This is a disgusting move by ABC and this dingbat actress should not be espousing Fox News and Trump campaign talking points. BTW, coal and factory work is not coming back. The world moves on. Recognizing the and retraining is th thing to do.
4
Classy lady, classy guy. Birds of a feather, etc.
She clearly agreed to this interview to push her show and showed her disdain for journalism by giving him as little as possible. PR agent on the call? Thanks Roseanne. You talked me out of watching.
3
Hey, let me be the first to say it... I reckon the last thing the world needs right now is a re-run of Roseanne. In fact, let's scrap all re-runs, reboots, remakes and come up with some, oh I don't know... ORIGINAL IDEAS! How about that?
It is my fervent hope that "Roseanne" and Mrs. Barr fade into history quickly and quietly. This country does not need another low brow comedy or drama. We already have Trump as President. That should be enough degenerate drama for everyone.
4
There's no point in picking a fight with a fictional character, however misguided her views on the presidency might be. I will give the sitcom a go, for the sake of nostalgia.
3
I really wonder about people like Roseanne who come right out to share opinions about Trump that are so distorted. The main defense against people questioning such opinions is only "no, he's not." That's their best answer? Well, there cannot be any other answer but simple denial because there is no other defense. The other irony is that, yes, things have stagnated or gotten worse for people like the Connor family because they keep voting for people telling the Big Lie, going on to keep these people in their place. When the scapegoating finger points the other way, they look. (Krugman in the Times recently wrote that maybe many of them are finally "wising up.") One rational basis for Roseanne the character's beliefs is that she has fallen for the con. That game has two traps--one is to sucker in certain people and the other is to keep their support because they're the types who cannot ever admit to being suckered. The other rational basis for Roseanne the person's beliefs is contrarianism or dramatic tension to gain attention to her performance art (good hook).
3
Entertainers should entertain. I care less about their political leanings, isn't relevant to anything. Nobody cares about her politics...PS: She isn't funny either.
Who knows whether being a multimillionaire for over 30 years influenced Roseanne Barr to develop such wrongheaded ideas? There are rich entertainers who are able to continue to be connected to who they were while growing up poor and thus remain relateable as people. Cher was a mulitimillionaire by the time she was 19 - over 50 years ago - but she continues to sound like a normal person with a heart as big as all outdoors.
No way in hella will I watch a fictional show about a Trump supporter - I've had Trump up to here. Even though I love love love John Goodman....
2
The producers see that there is a niche audience for her return because of the abomination in the White House. Roseanne is Trump, for now, that's all we need to know.
This show was garbage when it first aired. I expect nothing less from this revival. Well worth checking out the documentary "Class Dismissed: How TV Frames the Working Class".
I think Roseanne is not so much a Trump supporter as a contrarian.
4
This is a genius move-This will be a top rated show by a long, long shot--why? Because conservatives have been waiting for for a right leaning TV show for a long time!!! I haven't watched main stream TV for years--I will tune in to this show!!!
1
Everyone liked watching Archie Bunker in All in the Family too. If Carroll O'Connor had turned out to be a real racist it wouldn't have been so funny and would have killed the show.
Roseanne insisting on being offensive may be satisfying to her, but that doesn't mean I have to watch it, knowing she really is that obtuse. Celebrating one's own ignorance is not something to admire.
1
it's a right wing conspiracy. who are the advertisers and is the show otherwise subsidized in other ways by, say, rich Republicans?
Was interested in watching until I heard she supports Trump. Can you say boycott?
We could do without this return. The world has moved on. Let a sleeping dog lie.
1
It is another lame TV show that needs to express politics and have people share their opinion about it. Like most everything on TV it is based on the news of the day, mostly political agendas and personal opinions. It sees nothing wrong with the results of this and takes no accountability from doing this. It divides the country, it angers viewers, it builds mistrust in entertainment, it shows their hypocritical natures, it takes people reactions and sells them to companies, and it costs money to watch it? It is not real, it is not based on truth..but hey..it's funny.
58
It's not even that funny, but I was spoiled at a tender age by Jackie Gleason and Art Carney. Family tv time was together, after dinner, after dark, before bedtime: A modest couple of hours a day, but not every day. I can't say today's consumption of commercial media is bad or good, but I am sorry for the people who have substituted their real lives for this advertising trap.
Would you think differently if she was against Trump?
Come on people ! It's a TV sitcom, with commercials. It is no more "real" than Leave It To Beaver was, back in my youth. Which was also a TV sitcom with commercials.
3
The value of fiction lies in seeing the world through other people's eyes. In grad school I used to argue with my more erudite friends that Roseanne was a good show simply because it presented the only two credible teenagers on televsion. The replies sounded a lot like the responses I am reading here - very smart but so far from the struggle I have seen in my "blue collar" relatives. I am certain that many people who reject Roseanne, saying she is reprehensible, will exalt the literary value of Nabokov's Lolita to high heaven. Lolita is reprehensible, too, but erudite, ergo worthy.
I agree with Roseanne a little bit: I'm far more afraid of Pence than Drumpf. Pence strikes me as a religious crusader. He scares me a lot.
I will watch the show because it really was funny back in the day. I will watch because I am loyal to the purpose of fiction: it helps me see the world through very different eyes. Plus. I think they're funny.
10
Pandering, not politics.
You could be right. But Roseanne the actress won me over when Roseanne the character told her condescending boss that "waitressing wasn't her career because her KIDS were her career". She had me at "kids".
Roseanne. Trump supporter. Jeez. Now we really are in the Twilight Zone.
2
I regret that I only have but one comment to give for my country:
“Barr Trump.”
5
My question is why does everything have to be political now? Why can’t we have anything just be what it is? Everybody has an opinion based on their unique perspective. To judge people for supporting trump or Hillary or whomever is just silly. Opinions change as people’s viewpoints shift. That’s life. As an actor, producer, or network, you must be dim witted to delve in to politics, at the very least, you’ve alienated half your supporters.
1
This show is going to be a huge hit. Sorry to those who may dislike Ms. Barr and her politics. You may now go back to your PBS.
7
But it's opposite the Voice!
1
I never liked the original show per se but it had its place and generated an occasional public conversation. This interview is a bit depressing, especially w/the mindless Trump push though as always she's authentically herself, willfully ignorant and fully proud - as to ABC - well played...a cultural short sale of sorts...not helpful but understandable.
3
Roseanne Barr is a trivial person with the intellect of a head of lettuce. She was never funny, just loud. And she won't be funny this time around either.
8
So many bitter commenters. Hillary lost, fair and square. Move on. Get over it. Trump's no angel but the voters wanted hope and change-back.
3
I am astounded that people think that we "can't get over it". Are you paying attention at all?
1
"Fair and square" is still up for debate (see: investigation Mueller)
2
Dear Doug Ferguson,
Most of us don't give a hoot about Mrs. Clinton anymore. The problem now is that Donald is incredibly incompetent, ignorant, and idiotic. His moronic tweeting, his whipsawing policies, his firing another staffer every week, all of this has made America a laughingstock worldwide. His tariffs against China just axed all the stock market gains of the last year.
Trump is the worst president America has ever had, that's our problem, and so if you wanted hope and change, you lost out. There's no hope with him in charge, and the only change will be for the worse.
It is interesting that the limited perception that enables Trump’s support is reflected in this interview with Barr.
Why do people of color, immigrants, and trans people not even exist in regards to this conversation?
Isn’t Barr, who is personally wealthy and probably benefits from Trump’s policy toward protecting personal wealth, an equally distorted voice for representation of the working class?
I do think that Trump’s support is a conversations that should be creatively represented, but I am not convinced Barr’s seemingly simplistic engagement doesn’t continue to prevent reality from being part of it.
I don't see how the new Roseanne show could have been realistic if Roseanne didn't support Trump and if that didn't generate fights within the family. That's how the world is right now, and that's how real families like "Roseanne's" (and many other types of American families, too) are. Whatever I may think of her own votes, this was an absolutely essential (and even courageous) creative decision.
9
Too bad this interview wasn't covered by the Washington Post so we could get a "0-4 Pinocchio" rating on it. Any bets? Like so many other Trump2016 supporters, I suppose Ms. Barr has yet to grasp the reality that despite her dislike of Ms. Clinton, she made a far worse choice voting for Mr. Trump, and is now contemptible for continuing to support him.
3
Please stop with the comparisons of Roseanne Conner to Archie Bunker. The brilliance of “All In The Family” was its satire of both Right and Left extremes, and how hardened and often uninformed opinions can prevent dialogue and finding middle ground. It threw a harsh and much-needed light on bigotry, racism, and sexism — topics ignored for far too long — as we entered the ‘70s. It was presented in such an absurd way that it was both funny and revealing, and made many of us uncomfortably aware of our own biases.
With “Roseanne,” all we seem to be getting Trump lite. A bitter pill made palatable by a laughing audience. The sad thing is, Barr doesn’t get that this administration is hurting the real-life Dan and Roseanne Conners, as time will tell. And don’t get me started on her opinion on unions. She needs to research Right to Work laws and other union-busting tactics that have harmed the real Conner families too.
She can cackle, sneer, and be self-satisfied with her “jokes” all she wants. I’ll pass.
8
It's disappointing that this project received funding when there are tons of people with fresh ideas that could have made something innovative.
6
I am figuring I won't see many Mexicans, Muslims, and blacks in this show. Would I?
7
From the first episode, nobody at all who isn't white.
1
No, Please God no.
I don't care if she was a rabid Hillary supporter, I cannot take this offensive person.
4
Umm, Roseanne, Trump saying "I'm not homophobic"
a. Is very likely to be a lie, given the mouth it came from, and
b. Is not the same as supporting same-sex marriage.
"Better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than open it and remove all doubt."
7
This show is for philistines. The writing is not catchy, witty, or intelligent. It's not good for cognitive stimulation. It makes us dumber as a nation. And she supports the sociopath Trump? Good god. Boycott this junk.
8
This woman is more of an idiot than i thought she was before. To support Trump because she does not like MIke Pence is about the stupidest reason I have ever heard. Trump's mysogyny and his cavalier treatment of women are reason enough, but apparently Roseanne Barr's political ignorance far outwhelms her lack of talent
16
You are just smarter than main stream media. I respect you for standing your ground
6
Wasn't interested in the show until I read the article. It sure has a tremendous amount of material to work with. Hoping for funny, funny episodes, and hope the extreme left and extreme right chill out and get to laugh at themselves and each other. Better than what they do every day now.
7
Turn off your TV, folks. Stuff like this will rot your brains.
4
Well, she certainly has the tone of stupid grievance down pat.
7
Unfortunately, the passing years haven't made Barr an actress. She's still a standup comic waiting for her turn to throw out a punch line. The actors on the show -- Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert, and John Goodman are still terrific. The addition of multiple grandchildren has just cluttered the kitchen. I think a better move would have been to have just focused on the main characters from the original show. Talk about why the Sara Gilbert character who so desperately wanted out and wanted to be a writer didn't succeed or better still introduce her as a character who did succeed in becoming what she wanted to be. Many children of working class parents did go to college and become successful professionals. Why not show that aspect instead of having the family still living hand to mouth and Roseanne snuggling with the Gilbert character last night and calling her "my little loser" when Gilbert reveals she is devastated to admit she lost her job and failed to achieve her goals.
It's ironic that at one point, Barr takes her grandson to school and tries to persuade the students to not attack him for his unusual choice in clothing ie. tries to prevent bullying. The thing that Trump does every day and the guy for whom she voted.
I don't see this reincarnation making it past the nine pre-ordained episodes.
4
Most US working class families struggle all their lives. Most TV shows that even depict them, show them as eventually becoming middle class, ie "successful", and part of the American Dream. It's a mythical picture America likes. The original series was, refreshingly a bit of seldom shown reality on TV series, the last one being "The Honeymooners which I loved as well. Having grown up working class in a crummy apartment with crummy, mismatched furniture in a crummy neighborhood and a crummy future, I used to wonder why people like me weren't shown on TV so we must be losers. Just for the record, I beat the odds, became "middle class and successful" with a NYT subscription even. Most of the people I grew up with, didn't. There but for fortune.....
2
My parents were factory workers ie. working class. I grew up in a small town in a nice house with nice furniture and clothes. My parents saved their money to ensure I could go to college. It was the same with my friends. The parents worked, provided good homes for their children and sent them for higher education so they could move up the economic ladder. Not every working class family was incapable of moving their kids forward. The problem with “Roseanne” is that the current family is still spiraling downward instead of rising up.
I will not watch her show nor support her sponsors, nor will I support anyone who enables her show, including the other actors. I was thinking of buying ticket for Broadway's Three Tall Women by Albee with Laurie Metcalf, but NO WAY now.
2
This is a little extreme, don’t you think? Cutting yourself off from Ms. Metcalf’s work because of the show she’s on now (where she argues with Roseanne’s stance)? Just don’t watch this show.
2
I hope she does well with her nut farm.
3
I think Roseanne should go back to her nut farm in Hawaii.
4
Your right, we are pissed off about NAFTA and all of our jobs...
1
The tragedy of 2016 is that the workers of the Rust Belt who rightly hated Hillary for being the Queen of NAFTA and Wall St., would have preferred to vote for Bernie over Trump, if Goldman and friends had not hired the Congressional Black Caucus and black preachers (exactly the way the right-wing hires their Congresspersons and Evangelicals) to lie to blacks that Bernie was less for them than Hillary was. If the Dems had nominated Bernie (today's most popular politician in the polls), instead of the most despised nominee in party history because of how the Clintons sold out the working class to get filthy rich from Wall St. "rewards," we would now have the most progressive president in our history, instead of the most fascistic. The Congressional Black Caucus and black preachers have a lot to answer for. THEY put Trump in office, the most disastrous thing to happen to blacks and the whole working class since the Republican Party ruled Jim Crow America in the Twenties.
1
"Well, I think working-class people were pissed off about Clinton and NAFTA, so let’s start there. That’s what broke all the unions and we lost all our jobs, "
An example of not letting facts get in the way of a good opinion.
Union busting and movement of jobs off-shore began well before Clinton. Let's start with Reagan's dismantling of the Air-Traffic controller's union. Manufacturing was well underway in relocating to Mexico before Nafta. The Border Industrialization Program became known popularly as The Maquiladora Program or shortened to The Maquila Program, began in the 1960's (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manufacturing_in_Mexico).
Time will tell if this re-boot of Roseanne continues its legacy of challenging convention; let's hear how Roseanne answers how it was that there were fine people on both sides
9
"Well, I think working-class people were pissed off about Clinton and NAFTA, so let’s start there. That’s what broke all the unions..."
Well, Ms. Barr, let's start a little earlier with Ronald Reagan and his firing of the air traffic controllers. The same Reagan who touted union leader Lech Walesa and the Solidarity movement in Poland.
Hypocrisy and conveniently ignoring history are enduring Republican traits.
6
Do I agree with Roseanne's support of Trump? No. Did I watch the show last night and laugh? Yes. Will I continue to watch and listen to what I don't always agree with? Definitely.
12
Mr .Lou
I am opposite of you. I do support our American President. Tax cuts and all.
Your comments are very well thought out, and while we do not agree on the direction of our Representative Republic, I thought your comments were refreshing. I appreciated the cuts of the knife both ways. Humor is humor, I did laugh, and with you I will continue to watch.
3
Thanks CLH. We definitely agree that we both want the best for our country even if we disagree on what might be the best. And isn't it nice to laugh together than to argue with each other.
I will never watch any of that trump enabler's shows, attend any performance she is involved with, or buy anything she promotes. #boycottroseanneshow #boycottroseanne. It's rich she supports that scam since the Manchurian Candidate is opposed to everything she professes to support like pot and women's choice,
8
As for "the ones who send their kids over to fight," Trump has just chosen an adviser who seems to want to go to war with North Korea, Iran and a few other countries while alienating all our allies so those kids will have to do it all alone.
10
I wasn't interested in this reboot, but after reading this interview I am. Bravo to Rosanne Barr for taking on a difficult topic no one else is addressing. She hits the nail on the head of why some of my family voted for Trump. We need more places to discuss the conflict that is tearing families and communities apart. If this helps the conversation, that will be to the good.
13
Welcome back Roseanne. I tuned in for 2 minutes but switched channels. The optics were uncomfortable and was reminded of some long advice: Never take the same way twice, Go a different way. Create! VOTE! Good luck.
8
Interestingly, this 65-year-old couple they play didn't seem to have jobs. Are they supporting all these children/grandchildren on their Social Security checks? How much does Roseanne get? I don't recall her character ever having a full-time job for long in the original show which I admittedly watched only occasionally.
Fictional "working class" family that really doesn't show the stresses of a real working class family. If Dan and Roseanne were working long hours walking the floor of Home Depot and not retired, the plot would be more believable in terms of poor senior citizens left behind in the 2008 meltdown.
If single mom Darlene were working two crummy minimum wage retail jobs to support her kids, that would be more believable. They'd all come home too tired at night to make jokes or interact lovingly as a family.
There is absolutely nothing funny about struggling Americans today.
40
She supports Trump? Great timing.
I give the show a 3 episode run. I hate Trump a lot more than I like John Goodman.
In truth, I haven't watched any show below channel 13 with any regularity in about 25 years, since they cancelled Homefront, in the 90's. I do watch Jeopardy, however.
22
If Roseanne is concerned about "how the public’s money never ends up going to the public" - why support Trump? Trump's tax plan gives huge gifts to the rich and leaves the crumbs for the poor. Many tax breaks for the middle class are set to expire but the estate tax repeal is permanent. She, along with other Trump supporters are misinformed.
39
What you are referring to is slightly less redistribution. The tax cuts allow people to keep more of what is their money. That you think it’s the public’s money is disturbing.
5
Some of it is the public's money. The issue is how much and how that is decided. In a free market system, you are always giving and taking something. When you are giving, you can (usually) choose to charge what you want and the taker can choose to transact with you or not. When you are taking from your environment, which can happen in many ways, someone has to decide what you owe for for that - the air you breathe (and its cleanliness), the roads you drive on, the water you drink (and its quality), the medicines you take (and its quality), the parks you visit (and their quality), the safety of your physical self and property from local and global threats, etc. In general, the quality of your life. That you think you're entitled to taking from your environment without giving back is what is disturbing.
In a democracy (and a free market), the public/market decides how much the quality of life of an individual within that society is worth. In the end, you will get what you pay for.
For me, in the US, I think I pay far less than what I get, so I try to give in other ways but in general I'd be okay with higher taxes for a higher level of service, like in Canada or European countries. And I think we could even get this higher level of service with reduced military spending - rather than spending seven times as much as the second most militarily powerful country, we could try spending three times as much, and it'd be the best of both worlds. But people are ruled by fear.
1
Wow, tell my more.
I think you are misinformed.
Next year, take a look at your tax refund. Get back and let us know how that turned out for poor and middle class.
The "rich" people are still paying the most taxes. Perhaps Hollywood should pay even more taxes since they like to throw politics of hate around like confetti. The MSM should too
This interview perfectly illustrates how otherwise liberal or moderate as well as well-educated people become and remain Trump supporters: denial of his bigotry.
I have a highly educated friend who's pro-Trump who tried to convince me that he wasn't really being bigoted when he said all hose awful things about Mexicans and others. There was no evidence my friend could point to, but he simply insisted I and pretty much everyone else was misinterpreting it.
In Roseanne's case, she ignores the numerous anti-LGBT actions the administration has taken and the fact that it's done next to nothing to advance LGBT rights here or abroad, not to mention Trump's selection of Pence as VP.
32
This is all very interesting. Having been a fan of the original show, I felt an unusual willingness to hear Roseanne out about why she supports Trump. I totally understand the working-class economic issues like NAFTA, even though I may not agree with them. But there are so many other issues with Trump's presidency that are deal-breakers for me and that she did not address in the interview. For example, his overt racism, scapegoating of the judiciary and the media, conflicts of interest between his businesses and the government, and on and on. I think this is all appropriate subject matter for a TV sitcom since it's on most people's minds today. My fear is that the new show will not tackle most of these issues head-on and will only serve as pro-Trump propaganda. But let's see where it goes. "All in the Family" did a great job of portraying both sides of the issues at that time, though it was clear that the show's creators were liberals.
26
Tastes are subjective. I wouldn't let somebody's politics stop me from watching them on TV. That said, the show was flat and unfunny. I lasted 10 minutes.
15
Watched the original for several years and stopped when it became fantasy. The reboot was more like the original but downright depressing. I would have expected Becky or Darlene to do something with their lives. It was sad to see them doing less well than their parents.
8
But that’s an accurate reflection of the times, no? Millennial children are in many cases doing worse than their parents.
I haven’t watched the new episodes yet ... but it’s funny you use “depressing” to describe it. That show always felt depressing when I was watching it back in the 90’s.
2
Roseanne is incorrect about Trump's record. He has never supported same-sex marriage. However, during the campaign he did pledge to protect the rights of LGBT people which he immediately reneged upon becoming President. A headline from "The Hill" newspaper of January 19, 2018, read, "Trump administration amasses striking anti-LGBT record in first year." If Roseanne Barr is going to publicly support the policies of President Trump in a new television series, she should at least become familiar with what they are not what she would hope them to be.
23
Final thoughts !
Last night as always watched NCIS, a spectacular hair raising show with Mark Harmon and other fine actors.
But, couple of times switched to Rosanne during commercial breaks , same old same old dull and belly laugh with crude Rosanne not funny anymore.
Shall watch Laurie Metcalf a fine actor in Big Bang Theory also planning to watch her Oscar nominated rule in Lady Bird.
8
Found the reboot underwhelming and one more attempt to justify Trump. This set is turned off for the show.
22
Loved the original and found the reboot just tiresome...I already am fully aware of the divisiveness in this country, IMO the original focused on relationships and this latest iteration just goes for the social-political one liners.
17
Didn't watch the original; won't be seeing the reboot.
45
This confirms what has happened to the Democrats. They have abandoned the working class voter rushing to liberal elites on both coasts creating a void in middle America for the Republicans. If the Democrats keep following Pelosi and supporting a liberal agenda they are done in 2018. I am an independent and vote for the person that reflects my values and that is what Democrats who voted for Trump did. I know back in 2016 two nights before the election Hillary was with Beyoncé in Philadelphia for a concert and on the same day Trump did a a tour of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio. He clinched the deal that day.
31
Funny how some democrats can't see the obvious but prefer to deny and judge. I always thought we were the tolerant, socially conscious voters but I guess not. Am wondering how it compares to "All in the Family" and Archie Bunker. That was a different time.
8
I've said it before and will again - you don't care about the environment, or the wealthy getting even more, the lies, denials, corruption in the swamp draining government, the insane build the wall mantra. The working class you are talking about have a lot to answer for . I can only hope the Democrats take back the house and get us back to real business - infrastructure, contraception coverage so women don't need abortions, transgender people in the military, etc. There's just too much to list. And yes - jobs are a huge issue, especially as the world is changing under you feet and needs a complex approach to both understand and manage. If you think Trump is the answer, I 'm done.
17
I certainly didn’t vote for Trump, but to a degree I agree with you. Although I feel that many of our policies would benefit many of those that you describe in ‘middle america’, Democrats have done a very poor job at reaching out and appealing to those folks. It’s literally a branding and messaging problem ... caused by “us vs them” posturing that has leeched into the public consciousness. “The left” needs to get their heads right, spend some time in and with the people in “middle america”, and show them that we do truly want to help(social programs, and the tax system to pay for them ... for example).
4
As obvious by her short answers, Roseanne is just trying to be anti status quo, the intellectual status quo. She is seeking attention again, and if being pro-Trump works, she will do it. Supporting him because "he's better than Pence" makes no sense.
53
It's because he is a true Christian. Their is a sterotype pushed by the left that Christians hate and are intolerant. It's simply not true. For instance a Christian would believe that same sex marriage isn't right and they wouldn't want others to push this agenda onto their kids. The left tries to push this as hate and intolerance because they don't participate in the same beliefs. Christians see this as immoral behavior which they don't agree with but they recognize that they need Jesus and forgiveness for their sins just like themselves.
So basically, Christians get bad rep because we don't agree with immoral behavior.
1
It obviously "makes sense" to her.
LFK--Sense: Whose finger would you prefer on the button? A materialist and expedient Christian, like Trump--or a religious fanatic like Pence, who's ready for the apocalypse? And who would be easier for McConnell and Ryan to control?
I wonder if the smartest thing that the President ever did was select Mike Pence as his VP. That seems to have done more to ensure his job "security" than anything else.
68
I watched the first episodes (there were two last night) and it was very funny - which is the litmus test for me.
It was also very political and topical diving right into Trump v. Clinton and LGBT issues. (And the hint of future racial issues as Rosanne’s grandson is black.) But the show didn’t take sides on any issue. Although Rosanne is a Trump supporter, her sister, played by the fine actress Lauri Metcalf (nominated for an Oscar this year for her role as the mom in Lady Bird) is a Clinton supporter. Some of the funniest spots were their clashes.
At the end of the day, the first episodes were about family, diversity, inclusiveness and tolerance.
And did I mention they were funny?
Yes, I’ll be back - at least for one more.
44
Is Roseanne Conner or Barr really reflecting working class America? Or are we getting her caricature of working class America? Yes, many working class Americans supported Trump, but many did not. Roseanne's working class America is a particular flavor of white working class. It misses other flavors, and it certainly misses minorities, single moms of any color, and a lot of others.
Let's just take it for what it is: yet another spin that gives us a fuzzy look at who we are. The best that can be hoped for is that we all ask questions and don't look to her or the show for answers.
55
Yes, it appears that many people will not watch the show because of their hysteria over Trump. This is important to see because hopefully, it will demonstrate to those people that they are being manipulated. Yes there is a lot about T rump not to like, but the over reaction is due to the fact that most of corporate America doesn't want their to be any chance of a voice for the segment of America that Roseanne is portraying. Typically, the interviewer asks why she supports trump because of the identity politics questions, and it appears that her point of view is that these issues are being used by the corporate interests to distract people from economic injustice. Unfortunately, those who object to roaseannes viewpoint are like the inhabitants of Kansas depicted in the book "What's the matter with Kansas" interestingly different because now it is self proclaimed "liberals" who are the point of the narrative.
13
Most of corporate America loves Trump, he gives them tax breaks and toadies to their needs, as the US has been doing for decades.
2
I find the sitcom "Moms" to be funnier and more topical than Roseanne when it comes to the "real life issues of average working class people" themes. Maybe in the 1990s Roseanne was different but I take issue with her assertion that no one is doing this now.
18
The Roseanne show was amazingly diverse: family members divided by politics, single parent, low socio-economic family, African American/biracial grandchild and a non-binary grandchild---- Not being a fan of Trump, Roseanne's perspective came across clear as to why so many voted for the President---jobs and the economy. Phenomenal cast and writers. So delighted two shows--back-to-back-- were previewed.
23
What a really in-depth interview. One sentence answers to most of the questions.
Barr is entitled to her opinions, as I am entitled not to watch the reincarnation of her show.
57
Face it, people. A lot of working class people you fly over in your travels between the coasts are Trump supporters. And its not just them. For a change, switch the daytime TV channel from MSNBC to CNBC. Lots of Trump supporters can be found there as well. And those CNBC folks are definitely not working class.
26
We unfortunately know that.
16
I don't watch daytime TV, as that's when I'm at work.
Also, you seem to have a weird impression that all everyone living on the coasts do is fly from one to the other; as though we could all afford to do that, or as if none of us came from the middle, or didn't still have family there we cherish.
37
In terms of their political thinking and life experiences, they pretty much do just fly from coast to coast. I have friends who travel frequently, but have never been anywhere between Las Vegas and Virginia. Except to change airplanes somewhere in between. Get on a motorcycle. Limit yourself to 200 miles a day, avoiding the Interstates. Eat in local cafes, stay in campgrounds, and do a lot of listening. You will see, hear and experience a different world.
6
I'M not particularly pleased w/her political preferences elaborated upon the revival series...
Nonetheless, New Rosanne (likewise original series) ultimately is unafraid to reconstruct & cite current issues ... Me & my mate prefer to watch endless reruns on the LAFF network opposed to the current primetime programs.
3
I have never owned a TV set, and I never watch TV elsewhere.
I am not about to start...
14
And???
3
NAFTA broke the unions? Really.....more like decades of assault by Republican leaders and their Corporate handlers. Blue collar union workers have been screaming about jobs moving out for more than four decades. Corporations do not need any federal policy to seek higher profits and politicians do not have the desire to keep them from it. RB needs a lesson based on facts.
98
Re CHasHUe:
"RB needs a lesson based on facts."
I do not agree with Ms Barr on Trump, but my disdain for Corporate Democrats is not far from hers. Let's see why many working & middle class people have no use for (DLC and Third Way type) Corporate Democrats.
A lot of the Union members who lost their jobs supported Republican politicians & policies before the Unions went away and that is still the case. Voting against self interest by Baby Boomers has become endemic both in and out of the Democratic Party.
Bill Clinton ran saying he was going to renegotiate parts of NAFTA but then backed the deal unchanged from Bush. Obama promised to give consumer, labor & environmental groups a seat at the table of trade deals and then didn't. Hillary pretended to be concerned about the TPP, TTIP & TISA on stage, but made private speeches to Wall Street that showed she was all for them. These are the supposed Democrats and Republicans sure are not interested in giving these groups a seat at the table.
Both Bill & Hillary Clinton talked incessantly about the mythical and ill defined "Middle Class" and rarely mentioned "Working Class" or "working people" and their policies showed it. They wanted to take care of the poor and the Middle Class but had nothing for the desperately squeezed working poor who always seem to be left twisting in the wind by the Corporate Democrats that run the party.
When Democrats forgot the working poor and lower middle class, they lost them. Surprise, surprise.
32
And who fought for higher wages, better working conditions in the face of the "gig economy"? And who fought to eliminate Unions by fostering Right to Work Laws? From what I have read, global trade has had more benefits to more people and countries than it has negatively effected. I have listened to people who support Trump and have heard nothing about the environment, erosion of Unions, and of course keeping Roe versus Wade safe to prevent back alley abortions. So, unless you have a revolution, your so-called corporate Democrats will have to be connected to Wall Street. You mean to say Trump is your example of clean wealth? Make Democrats better, not support Republicans who have taken over reasonable people in the name of smaller(read no) government.
4
Reagan broke the unions but also NAFTA - remember that "great sucking sound" articulated by Ross Perot. NAFTA didn't help the laborer in a union. Unions without members do not exist.
2
I wish we'd see Ms. Barr in some different roles after this revival.
3
Gutsy move for her to play a pro-President Trump character. We aren't as rare as the Saber toothed tiger, BTW. How do you think over 6,000 counties voted for him compared to about 50 for Hillary if we are so 'out of the mainstream?' 'Comedy' usually isn't even funny anymore because all they really do is browbeat us.
I'll have to watch the show next week.
21
The 'Crass Mentality', where some Americans are trying to get out of The Parker Trailer and there is little hope for them. The female version of 'The Bully', who comes into the office and announces 'You don't want to mess with me because I'm in one of my moods till further notice'. They usually get fired, and you can find them on Park Avenue too in The Realtor, who takes no prisoners.
We could start with an episode of 'Roseanne Gets Hired as Security Patrol Officer for Trump's Wall'. Now that would be rich and she would probably pass in flying colors. Applicants, all male, are in the running now for the above, with Ads on the right no less.
A fine interview by Patrick Healy, which had the singular effect of getting this reader on conclusion to eat dinner, shampoo the cat, vacuum the old carpet, take care of the laundry and read a short story where a visible character reminiscent of David Brooks or Bret Stephens, late in life having achieved eminence in the field of writing, is summoned regularly by Mr. Pocket to go over taxing matters. 'Grippes and Poche', by Gallant might amuse these bright journalists.
Fortunately the 'Roseanne' persona does not sit well in the Working-Class Community, and is regarded as gross, usually in possession of a heart of gold, intimidating and unfortunate to those who get mowed down in her path.
The political choice of this actress is none of my business. In the meantime, Let us be prepared for another re-run of Trump and more.
4
Actually, Hillary won the popular vote. So did Al Gore. Imagine if "the people" really did run this country. Alexander Hamilton's elitist electoral college runs it instead. I personally admire Aaron Burr for doing the right thing, too bad he didn't do it sooner.
27
There are 3,144 counties and county equivalents in the US. If Republicans won over 6000 then it was the Russian bump.
2
Roseanne is famous bringing into everyone's homes the hearts and minds of your average blue-collar American. It turns out that the average blue-collar American voted for Donald Trump. Given that she is a true Donald Trump supporter, who could possibly be better to tell the story of today's working class? Although she may be very far removed from that lifestyle,Roseanne is famous bringing into everyone's homes the hearts and minds of your average blue-collar American. It turns out that the average blue-collar American voted for Donald Trump. Given that she is a true Donald Trump supporter, who could possibly be better to tell the story of today's working class? It would behoove those of us that disagree with the administration and its supporters so, so strongly to listen and learn from the story she tells.
12
Yet amazingly the American working class votes for the destruction of Unions which had the greatest impact on improving their economic status. They fall to voting for politicians who champion "right to work" laws - whose purpose is simply to destroy unions. Like the chimera that undocumented workers steal jobs (they don't, a money hungry business more interested in profit give them to them), the Union as bad guy is a meme entirely from the fertile imaginations of right wing propagandists. In the 40's, 50's and 60's the "right to work" movement used that as means to lure businesses from the Northeast based on lower labor costs, then in the 70's and 80's and continuing, those same businesses moved off shore to the third world, again for lower labor costs and nonexistent regulations. Through it all the Republican Party has managed to demonize unions and works so well for them too.
18
And what, pray tell, would you suggest that we do once we’re finished “listening” to such people? Trump supporters are driven only by hate and greed. They have turned their backs on honor and decency and have proven themselves to be amoral and totally lacking in character. The only way to appeal to Trump voters would be for Democrats to espouse the same hate filled platform as those on the right. It’s sad but the truth of it is that the United States is a nation of bigoted hillbillies who will vote against their own self interest if a candidate taps into their deep seated hate (homophobia, racism, xenophobia, etc.)
2
Im working class. Educated working class. I dont need to listen to anyone else on this subject. Ive lived it. Your comment is, quite frankly, insulting. Its suggests there is only one kind of working class and that kind - as portrayed by Roseanne - deserves some kind of understanding more than any other.
2
Thanks for the article.
Will be interesting to see if the series takes hold in anything like the way the original did.
I think many of the commenters are unfairly expecting a TV character to express only certain viewpoints. I for one don't want our entertainment industry to feel obligated to take always a certain line.
15
It seems to me that this has been done before by Carroll O'Conner on "All In The Family," where "Archie" was portrayed as a working class Richard Nixon supporter.
23
Susan, please do not compare the brilliance of Carroll O'Conner and Norman Lear to that of Roseann Barr, on any level. It's comparable to viewing the Mona Lisa to that velvet picture of dogs playing poker.
82
Great Point! All in the Family is still 'my favorite show' whetherwise of political stance.
2
Hey wait a minute whats wrong with comparing dogs playing poker and the Mona Lisa? Both are masterpieces. :)
3
Never watched the original Roseanne and won't be watching the remake either.
29
This idea is outdated, in that many of the Trump supporters are already having second thoughts about voting for him, and worry his trade tariffs, and other policies, that are often erratic, including the possibility of an unprovoked war, make this a very sad, truth, that Roseanne could understand those that voted for Trump, including a show as such, but for real, her beliefs, and what might happen on the show, is derogatory, actually, as one would of expected her to vote for Hillary in real life, even on a show such as this!
22
LOL uh no we are not! We love him EVEN more now!
I haven't heard of any other Trump supporters that have backed off their support or would change their vote given the opportunity. Your post is liberal wishful thinking. In fact, more and more are coming around to the reality of Trump doing what he promised in his campaign. Too bad you're still whining about losing. TRUMP is a thousand times better than that slacker/do nothing Obama or a career ineffectual Hillary (liar, crook) Clinton. I can't wait for the day when it's her time to sit on the stand and have to answer to the people of the United States of America.
This is wishful thinking on your part. You read it somewhere and wish it were true, but it’s not. Does your statement reflect the fact that Trump’s popularity is up 3-4 points? Exactly. Also, we were at war for the entirety of Obama’s 8 years and you’re condemning Trump for a maybe war? That is truly ignorant.
Like many of trump's "successful" supporter,s Roseanne Barr is a ladder-kicker - someone who benefitted and took from social programs, but once they reached the top, don't want others doing the same.
I never watched the show when it was on before and I certainly won't be watching it now.
67
I rid myself of television six years ago! But with Roseanne coming out as a Trump supporter, I think I might just have to run down to the store and buy 72-flatscreen TV and order a brand new cable package with all the bells and whistles!
10
Pretty amazing just how many anti-Trump fans this site has. He has rocked the boat but I'm afraid most of these people missed it.... the boat and his intentions.
18
He didn't rock the boat, he and his minions are happily opening the sea cocks and are scuttling the nation.
2
Trump's intentions, like the intentions of politicians of both parties, is to steal from the poor to give to the rich.
1
This is the fourth-dimensional chess argument for Trump, and it doesn’t hold. He’s just rudderless and ignorant. The character of Roseanne is often depicted with a heart of gold but no ability to get out of the way of her own prejudices. Which is exactly what’s the matter with the specific Trump voter she’s meant to represent: their social prejudices are being used to foster an agenda hostile to their own economic interests. This isn’t talking down to rural people. It’s facing facts.
3
When asked to justify her support of Trump in light of Trump's actual policies towards blue collar workers, Rosanne Barr, like most Trump supporters, can't articulate an answer, and just wants to "move on."
Of course, unlike Ms. Barr, most Trump supporters don't have a representative present to run interference for them each time their ignorance is about to be revealed.
106
I like him just because it irritates you.
Since Gilbert is gay in real life--married to a music producer with children, and Goodman played a great version of Rex on SNL after the firing--I have to believe that this show is hoping to start a dialogue; and try to heal the wounds of a tribal, divisive country. If this is the true reasoning behind the show then I am all for it. Remember people--these actors are paid to play "characters". The right love the idea of a "Trump" supporter being the matriarch of the family. I could see the irony and hypocrisy from a "left" wing perspective. Overall, I found the show quite entertaining; I will watch it next week, but nothing will change my perspectives on the abomination of the presidency.
34
Dream on.
8
Is that all you have? Typical.
The semi-lunatic Roseanne HEARTS the complete-lunatic Trump. What a pleasure it will be to continue to avoid her, avoid her show, avoid her life, avoid her comments, etc.
The painter and poet Florine Stettheimer touched on this once when she wrote:
"The world is full of strangers,
They are very strange.
I am never going to know them
Which I find easy to arrange."
35
With her pitch issues Roseanne Barr may as well have taken another shot at singing "The Star Spangled Banner".
6
I saw the original show a handful of time, it wasn't for me. It is extremely misguided to have voted for Trump in order "to shake things up." Being rude, uninformed on this issues, uninterested in studying the issues, chronically lying, showing disrespect for classes of people, tweeting nonsense all night...does not really "shake things up." It accomplishes nothing but entertaining people who enjoy drama and want a real life reality show. No problems are solved, no respect is built. Trump is just wasting everyone's time while we wait for a real president to take over after he leaves office.
80
Thank you. I keep commenting that it's cold comfort but nice to know that I'm not alone in believing everything you wrote. The disruptive teenagers (not the anti-gun ones!) have taken over the high school and the inmates have taken over the asylum. But there's hope through the election and marches in the streets.
10
guess what, HALF OF THE COUNTRY SUPPORTS TRUMP. The cosmopolitan bias is on display to think that this is a "Rare" thing or is an anomaly. Only the people reporting from the blue bubble DNC majority coastal metropolitan areas are shocked about this. WAKE UP people, the country voted on election day, and majority of the land mass and their counties had their say. Get over it.
15
Actually, if we lived in a true democracy we wouldn't be stuck with the guy who lost the popular vote. And according to polls, nowhere near half the country supports this guy. The lie that he was elected by the people is just that, a lie. Wake Up, yourself. The majority of Americans voted against him. Get over saying, as his press secretary does all the time that he was voted in with overwhelming support. Not even close.
17
Half the country does not 'support' Trump, his approval rating is comically low. Less than half of all who voted 'preferred' Trump, and only slightly more than half of all eligible voters voted.
Ignoring the fact that his approval rating has plummeted since taking office, the best you could say 20.7% of the country supported Trump enough to vote him (and were eligible to).
And if you're THAT into making sweeping statements, you could even say 25% of all eligible voters supported Trump (and again, just to emphasize, that's still overstating it).
There's a real conversation to be had about why he won and why people are tired of the Democratic establishment, but let's not pretend Trump won because people love him and think he's great. He won because both of the establishment parties like to play the people for their own benefit and convinced enough people in swing states that a Republican agenda in the WH would do more good than a Democrat one.
Love,
your local libertarian that is fed up with voting blue because Republicans insist on repeating ignorant statements like this
14
We have never lived in a 'true democracy". Especially one where the popular vote determined the winner. The country's founding fathers never set it up that way. You should ask yourself why the Democrats have never supported it.
I'm not a Trump supporter and I'm surprised at the myopic focus on him while another unpopular Congress comes up with the actual legislation that is driving this country over a cliff. If registered voter turnout was at least hovering around even 60% we'd have a different president. The whining is getting old.
6
Personally, I could not care less what Ms. Barr's politics are. I am, however, intrigued to observe an entertainment industry that is apparently so starved for content that they have revived a mediocre relic of the '90's. I tried watching the original two or three times but I could never stomach more than ten minutes of it. The "jokes" were crude and obvious, and the plots played out with dialogue delivered in screeches and grunts. I was never, in my limited exposure, treated to a scintilla of wit or originality. There have been small web series that have been light years funnier; "Web Therapy" comes to mind. Even "The Sopranos" was funnier, in a dark and subversive way. I suppose the networks have dragged out this ragged corpse because they know it will be a cash cow, and a useful vehicle for peddling laundry detergent and pick-up trucks.
30
The execs are so scared for their jobs they don't want to greenlight anything that might get them fired if it doesn't do well. So they are rebooting everything...roseanne, will and grace, magnum, full house...because those entail a lot less risk than trying something new by an unkown.
The original Roseanne series was an attempt to riff on the '70's Archie Bunker in All in the Family from a female point of view. It was successful for about 2 minutes. I watched the 2 episodes aired tonight on ABC - nothing has changed. Neither the acting or the writing is good. Roseanne is still not able to compete with Archie on his worst day. Most actors can separate their "work" personalities from their "real life" selves. From all the interviews Roseanne has given on TV & in print media I don't think she is one of those actors who can. She seems just as coarse, ignorant and inconsequential in real like as she is on TV. I'll definitely watch Mystery Diagnosis next week.....or ANYTHING ELSE.
48
You realize that Roseanne was a phenomenal commercial success in that ‘two minutes” right?
One....ONE TV show is not rabidly anti-Trump and the left is in a panic. That shows how insecure and in doubt of the strength of their positions they are.
17
The left is in panic. No, I don't think so. This interview is eye opening, and as a left leaning person, I think it is healthy this show is revived. People on the left know why the working class voted for Trump, and open dialogue and an interview about this show doesn't mean we are panicked. It is just an exchange of view points, something we should all be more able to do without being too dramatic.
46
Did the working class vote for Trump? Depends how you define the working class. A lot of white suburbanites & white rural voters voted for Trump. Rust belt factory workers went for Trump. But the working class now is mainly in different industries ...services, health care, retail... their vote was split. Oh, but in Trump's American they don't seem to count as workers.
21
The left enjoys zero flexibility, and even less ability to debate the issues. You are consumed, and it is entertaining like the show.
She can support Trump if she wants to, but she should know what he has actually said and done. And she either doesn't know, or pretends not to know.
63
I have never liked Rosanne Barr, but she is a talented observer of humanity and her comedy can often be poignant as a result. She “gets” working class Americans and their struggles. I’m not sure how she rectifies her support with various causes and her support of Donald Trump. But, perhaps that is why the GOP is in control and the Democrats are still searching.
9
I have seen Roseanne perform live (in person) twice, and she is, without question, one of the greatest comedic legends alive. That said, her public support for Trump, particularly when used as a way to get publicity for her new television show, means I am no longer a fan and will not be buying any more tickets.
32
Step out of your politics. Such rigidity is not good for our Experiment In Democracy. One of the "greatest comedic legends alive" made perfect sense when she said that it is better to keep Trump right where he is to make sure Pence does not ascend. Read between the lines, for goodness' sake.
12
Keeping Trump to avoid Pence is a bad argument. Do people say let's not catch this criminal because his associate is worse? No, seek justice and follow the rule of law wherever it leads, otherwise our experiment in democracy is doomed.
1
It is a bad argument because it is a bad situation, but I stand by my words. Trump's very impulsiveness puts a check on the "agenda" he is pursuing. Pence would be far more dangerous because of his bland "acceptability". I think that is what Roseanne was hinting at. I sure as heck did not say "don't catch this criminal because his associate is worse". That is a flight of irrelevance that has nothing to do with my response. Mueller needs to do his job, and the feckless republicans need to do theirs, but most importantly, we Americans need to re-dedicate to intelligence, rationality, and preparation (all qualities that Hillary Clinton had in abundance), and we need to do this course correction on November 6th by at least "lame-duck"ing Trump.
For the most part, I enjoyed Roseanne the first time around. It had some excellent, even touching, moments. Sara Gilbert's "To Whom It May Concern" speech comes to mind. But towards the end Roseanne just came across as mean rather than comic. Maybe that's what happens to you when you achieve success and wealth. My contempt for Trump is so great that I will not watch the new Roseanne. Laurie Metcalf, John Goodman, and Sara Gilbert are strong enough actors to stand on their own without Roseanne.
26
I am not a fan of Roseanne the person, but I watched two episodes of the show tonight and thought it was pretty funny. I did not think it was pro-Trump, but rather a humorous treatment of some very serious issues - not just politics, but also relationships between aging parents and adult children, prescription drug costs, joblessness, military service, gender identification, adult children moving home, even surrogacy. I laughed out loud several times and that doesn't happen with TV very often these days.
24
Big F.Y.I. Roseanne - Hillary Clinton DID NOT SIGN NAFTA. She had nothing to do with it.
Her husband did. Some "feminist" you are - assigning "sins of the husband" to the wife just because she's the wife.
This woman sounds ignorant.
103
Sorry, but she did have a little to do with it. As First Lady, she loved it. Then as a Senator, then Sec. State, then as a presidential candidate, she didn't love it so much. Then she started flip flopping. She loved it, hated it, loved it, hated it, then switched to TPP, which she loved and hated, depending on which crowd she was speaking to.
10
She actually wrote a book where she discussed her opinion of trade agreements after she resigned as Secretary of State. It is called Hard Choices. I encourage you to take a read or a listen, most libraries should offer it.
3
She is ignorant.
3
Wake me up when she stops talking.
48
Sorry but she's raunchy , loud , rude and crass , always was always will be . watched maybe 10 minutes years ago and never watched it again .
37
Another reason why I do not need to know anything more about yet another Hollywood personality making a comeback. She and Trump share the DNA of people with a desperate need to be validated and embraced. Two peas in a narcissistic pod. Roseanne should go back to her nut farm and take the President with her.
55
Older and wiser? The most generous thing I can imagine that this is somewhat of a stunt to be controversial to attract an audience. Either way, true Trump believer or shameless opportunist, I won't be watching her show.
24
This show wasn’t funny the first time around for the same reason that it won’t be funny this time: the people in the family were mean and nasty and belittling to each other — just like Trump — who also is not funny.
46
No thanks.
50
so, the show is about the working class...makes me wonder how in the world they can support the GOP, which just passed tax cuts favoring the rich, and looking to destroy the safety net at every turn...do these people even understand what the Dems stand for in looking to better the situation of every working person in this country?? why does every ignorant "working class" person feel as though tax cuts will save them, but having food stamps, social security, unemployment, and health coverage is done thing that will spell doom for them! do they even know that trump himself hires foreign workers for his properties?? it's a sit com, great, but if this reflects what is on the minds of "working class" folks, what are they even thinking???
45
they're largely thinking what they're told to by a 24-hr. broadcast, masquerading as news, which uses their fears, and preference for single sources, as a sordid business plan.
7
This interview was extremely lazy and half-hearted when it came to asking Roseanne about Trump's views. "He has not come out in favor of" same-sex marriage? Is that the most you can say about Trump's problems on LGBT issues? What about the transgender military ban? What about appointing an anti-LGBT justice like Gorsuch?
Why not come armed with specific former quotes of hers, and specific quotes of his, and be pointed? What a wasted opportunity.
40
A wasted opportunity to… what exactly? Show that Barr doesn't think through many things she says, or is lazy intellectually, or possibly and opportunist?
That's been done already, and again in this interview.
If she'd engage in a real conversation, not a monitored interview, that might be interesting.
5
She talks about Pence like he is some random radical element. Yet Trump chose him as his vice president. Why does she not hold him accountable for that decision? He chose Pence, a rabid anti-gay, anti choice politician
1
Sad. But she's right that Pence would be even worse.
14
Ha!! I waited to watch the show before commenting. ( I'm Canadian living in the US so maybe I have a bit more common sense) She was and is only interested in the same thing ABC is. Ratings. Nothing over the top politically just her same formula as before. Pretty funny and I bet the ratings will be high. If they keep up this formula and the writing stays the same I predict a hit show.
P.s I can't see rabid Trump people really liking this to hang around. Above their intellectual abilities!!
14
Cool for Roseanne, I'm a fan. She doesn't have to agree with my political views. I'm into respectful, civil disagreements. I'm about her as an empowered woman producing a Norman Lear-esque teachable show.
21
Apparently she empowered herself to lie about David Hogg and retweet Alex Jones garbage- not cool at all
Roseanne supports Trump not as a working class hero, but as an independently wealthy actor who lives in Hawaii. She plays the role well, but if she really cared about working class people she wouldn't support the huckster in the White House. She is oblivious to what is going on.
55
At best Barr is disingenuous, but more likey, doesn't understand presidential succession. If Trump dies, Pence is a danger with a sympathetic congress. In the unlikely event congress flips completely, Trump would be impeached by the house and convicted by the senate. Pence as president would be short of friends in congress, and given the toxic landfill his predecessor leaves behind, would not be a sympathetic figure running in his own right
16
"Trump would be impeached by the house and convicted by the senate. "
Convicted of what exactly?
8
Obstruction of justice and perjury, for starters. Pay attention for crissake.
1
This woman wasn't funny to me the first time around. She had the great good fortune of having the talents of actors like Laurie Metcalf, John Goodman, and Sara Gilbert to prop her up.
Watching them at work would be my only reason for watching this reboot.
11
I thought it was rich that she commented on "everyone else's acting chops improving."
Well, they are professional actors with multiple credits while she pontificated from her nut farm.
The idea of supporting Trump because Pence is worse is an interesting angle. I liked the first season of the original show (30 years. Wow. Time just slammed into me) that used her stand-up material ("Got anything for a headache?" "Three screaming kids."). What I didn't like was that Conners weren't allowed to win. The bike shop failed. The restaurant ended up in someone else's hands. Since Ms. Barr didn't want to say whether the show had paved the way for LGBTQ characters, I'd say it did. They were just part of her world, not singled out because of who they were. I'll give it a try.
11
I wasn’t going to watch the new Roseanne after hearing about her support of Trump and some of those right wing weirdo conspiracies, but then I heard a clip of the show on public radio where she was talking about the election with Jackie (Laurie Metcalf). I decided to watch just to see how the political sides were portrayed. To me, the first two episodes of the show played tonight made it look more like Roseanne was duped into voting for Trump based on her ramped up fear of Hillary and Trump’s hollow promises to the working poor. She certainly hadn’t benefited yet from his presidency. Jackie’s character and other cast family members reminded the viewers at least of how some of Roseanne’s own personal views certainly don’t allign with Trump’s. She might say she thinks they do in this article, but she is wrong.
17
Maybe they can do an episode about building an oil pipeline through their back yard. Or an episode where they all suffer from diabetes but they didn’t sign up for the affordable health care act. Maybe a neighbor could suffer from opioid addiction. I hope they modernize the plight of working class Americans so that the show meets today’s standards or lows.
78
"Considering that Trump opposes many of the principles that you and Roseanne Conner have stood for, how can you support him?
No, he doesn’t, I don’t think he does. I don’t think so at all. I think he voices them quite well." Ms Barr misspoke, she should have said "I don't think at all"
47
It's a very good show. There is nothing like it on TV.
12
I just watched the show and thought it was great!
17
I won’t say anything other than that I simply cannot believe that human beings can believe they are attempting to talk rationally, but be so far from reality.
45
If you're referring to Times' reporters, you're exactly right.
Quite disconcerting to see the reactions of many people towards people who support Trump. Immediately writing them off and people not worth knowing.
Of course this is the NY Times website and one can expect the problem to be worse here and in this medium (mostly anonymous posting) than it likely is "in real life" where Trump supporters interact with no problems with other people of all political stripes.
Still, goes to show the closed-minded and polarized nature of American society.
41
If you feel that way about the NYTimes one has to ask why on earth you're here? You don't seem to be aware they have conservative writers and articles here as well. And that is why many people don't want to know Trump supporters. It seems to be good for me but not for thee. I know a lot of Trump supporters and they are anything but pleasant when they find out someone else is not.
16
LR: BINGO, exactly !
7
yeah, because Trump supporters are soooo open minded.
10
I disagree with some of the top comments. If portrayed accurately, a show depicting the working class portion of the gop base would be really useful in coming to a better understanding of our division. Emphasis is on understanding, which is not the same thing as supporting that base. And I think that’s a smart thing to do from a creative and even ratings perspective.
What is bizarre is Barr’s apparent personal views - she believes that her ballot choice supports the things he is feverishly working to destroy. It really spells out some of the things Dr Krugman has been writing recently: that the gop base are completely, utterly, and quite easily conned.
Unless Ms. Barr is playing her character even in interviews, like Jim Carrey or Colbert. Or perhaps you cannot portray the right’s base accurately unless you yourself are in it.
79
The Left has no interest in understanding our division.
They believe anyone that isn't in lockstep goosestepping to their agenda be silenced and unseen.
6
"Dr" Krug man is wrong more than he's right....he's worse than an opinionated coin flipper
5
The GOP base were not "conned." They are not stupid. They were not tricked. They are getting EXACTLY what they wanted from Trump: someone to smash those they fear and hate. They hate you and want to hurt you. It's really that simple.
The conservative mind is correlated with, if not caused by, an overactive amygdala--the place where fear emotions are produced. When conservatives are reassured of their personal safety they magically become much much more liberal on political subjects that have seemingly nothing to do with their own safety (including abortion, taxes, all sorts of things). That is: their politics is driven by fear for their personal safety above all other things.
GOP: the party of cowards.
23
The Connors would have been progressives living in the mid West as the new generation of the Connors are bi-racial and transgender.
I had wished Barr would not have tarred this project with this Trump angle. The gravitas of Laurie Metcalf and John Goodman would have attracted new fans. Laurie is an Oscar nominated actress this year. That alone got me excited because I am such of fan of hers, but I am going to pass this for now.
41
I absolutely love it. And perhaps more, love reading all of the comments below about how "shocking" her comments on the show are. Holy cow, way to go "free thinkers!" It really enforces how the so called elites feel about the rest of us who do not live in the swamp. I'm planning to DVR and share Roseanne as much as possible :)
29
Most people do not live in the swamp. It is not the largest city in the country and it is by nature filled with political people. Imagine that.
17
"free thinkers" does not mean people agreeing to whatever foolishness is being uttered. It means that, just as Ms Barr has the right to say foolish stuff, people have the right to qualify what she says as foolish.
1
I never watched Roseanne before, and I’m certainly not going to watch it now. But to be truthful, I haven’t watched “TV” for two decades now.
13
Spewing venom at people with different perspectives solves nothing. Understanding why they think, feel and vote the way they do will go much further. We have a societal problem politically in this country and we all better pay attention and help solve it. Identity politics is not the answer nor is anger and hatred.
38
yeah, I get what you are saying, but winning is the solution, not changing people's minds. It's a problem of deep rooted psychology and people need to do the work to solve it for themselves. No amount of liberal outreach is going to help that.
11
Trying to understand the people who support a man who engaged in a sexual activity ( without condom !) with a porn star ? Nah, I will pass. I know the issue that motivates his base i.e fear of a browning nation. Unfortunately, the media was quick to label them as the “the forgotten ones”
14
The problem is the right gives in constantly and tries to meet the democrats in the middle, meanwhile democrats inch closer to their leftist utopia. If you look at all the news outlets and coverage all you see if hate filled rants against anyone that doesn't view things the same as the left. Don't get me wrong, the right spins news as well but not even close to the degree of the left, just flat out lies and omission of details in many if not most stories. I don't even watch the news anymore because it's just 95% trump/conservative bashing.
3
I was a fan of her stand-up and sit-com; but no more.
She suffers from something; who knows what happened to her?
But I won't be a viewer of her new show. I can't enable ignorance.
54
Something has happened to her or you?
1
Its always dishonest to blame NAFTA for job losses. It is really the Private Equity firms which have stripped America to the bone and ruined companies.
93
How about 20 million illegals...I guess that hasn't hurt our citizens' jobs and wages according to you..
...
5
Stv-o...It is sad and dreadful to say, but most "illegals" do the jobs that American citizens would not lower themselves to do. And they do these jobs for very low wages, most of the time.
15
How about you use real numbers? 20 million? Not a real number. Also, pay your union dues and stop electing politicians that work to undermine unions. Do those things and we can have a rational discussion. Otherwise, grow up.
Right in line with her performance of the anthem (Roseanne apologists might want to look that beauty up). She's not funny, not even interesting, is incapable of logical thought or dignity (as is her political icon), and I thought better of John Goodman.
52
I have never cared for Roseanne but I know what she was doing with the anthem.
The night before, she was on a late night show and she announced that she was going to perform the anthem and the host said, "That's a difficult song (Which it is. The range is long and hard for most amateurs to find an appropriate key) Are you sure that you are up to it?"
When she started singing the anthem, her voice cracked and she couldn't reach the high notes. It wasn't on purpose. But once it happened, she had already ruined the song, and she just made the best of it.
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That's not all she did in singing the anthem.
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They decided the time was right for a paycheck, spewing the same coarse drivel. She has nothing to offer to any thoughtful discourse about the sad state of our politics.
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So, I've made my view of this pretty abundantly clear, but now I am in the midst of actually watching this show. In all of our defense, nobody was able to do this until about 40 minutes ago, except for reviewers.
So they're tackling the issue of a grandson, Mark, wearing a skirt to school, and how this will put him in a world of hurt. The 9-year-old is rather ridiculously swishy too.
But Roseanne takes him to school and sticks up for him. So ya know, much as I despise Trump, maybe we are really being too hard on this show. It's just a sitcom, it seems to be trying to display various sides to issues, and if people want to watch it, there's no reason to begrudge them that.
Have I learned anything from this? Not really, I'll still loathe Trump and distrust anyone who supports him. But maybe next time I won't leap all over something before viewing it myself at least once.
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Bernie Sanders was extremely prescient about the anger the 'working class' felt about offshoring of manufacturing. Rosanne should be a Bernie bro.
Red-statism is unspoken outrage beyond outsourcing or offshoring manufacturing jobs, & it wasn't organic outrage, it was an implanted narrative.
Factory jobs are not an entitlement. Those who took those jobs have been the ones suffering under slavery conditions for $70/mo.
People used to work for themselves before the robber-barons put everyone in factory sweatshops. Trump would have child-labor back in the mills & dump mill waste into the streams. He'd just as soon stock those mills with slave-grown cotton.
Rosanne is right to protest people losing their homes, but to remedy that, control the banks. Controlling banks & their boom/bust bubbles not what Trump is about.
Roseanne wants a post-war another automotive boom for the rustbelt, but you don't get that kind of production advantage without a devastating world war 2.
If Trump believed in American workers, he'd be protecting Unions, which are the reason we're not Chinese sweatshops with nets to keep people from jumping in despair.
But Roseanne has her own product to sell, her sitcom, & siding with Trump gets her the biggest audience TV has, the fox-news Hannity herd.
If she wants to support American workers, go ahead, buy American, I'm all for it, just be prepared to spend double, because that's what it costs to buy a pair of Levis with the 'made in America' option.
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I support unionization at EVERY LEVEL of the supply chain. I really do. Just to take your polemic to its logical conclusion.
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It is apparent you really don’t want to live in a republic, maybe North Korea will take you in?
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