When Roseanne debuted in 1988, it was groundbreaking television. The series chronicled the trials and tribulations of a Midwestern, working-class family, the Conners, whose matriarch, played by Roseanne Barr, was anything but the stereotypical mom. She was loud, sarcastic and loving but not traditionally nurturing. Roseanne's husband, Dan (John Goodman), worked in construction, and they had three far from well-behaved children: Becky (Lecy Goranson), Darlene (Sara Gilbert) and D.J. (Michael Fishman). Not only did the show find the humor in the mundanity of family life, including financial struggles, it also addressed more controversial issues such as teen sex, abortion, racism, homosexuality, domestic violence, gender roles and equality. The show didn't tackle politics head-on, but when handling hot-button issues, Roseanne did have a progressive tone.
Roseanne is returning for season 10, and while the focus will still be on family dynamics, there will be more politically-charged discourse. Clashing opinions have caused deep fissures not just around the world, but also within homes and amongst family members throughout the country. Yes, staunch feminist Roseanne Barr is an outspoken Trump supporter, and in the reboot, her character is as well. Barr has always tried to develop storylines that reflect the current social climate and economic climate, and right now, the country is deeply divided on a number of issues, more so than when the show originally aired. Can Roseanne replicate its original success in the current TV landscape where families like the Conners are once again underrepresented but also, in many ways, reviled for their political leanings?
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