Alright, let's talk about something a little sticky. According to a recent report from The Hollywood Reporter, even though ABC canceled the hit show 'Roseanne' after Roseanne Barr's infamous racist tweet, the network might still owe the show's stars a significant chunk of change. Why? Because contracts for Season 11 were already signed. That's right, folks, we're talking tens of millions of dollars here.
Big Bucks on the Line
Let me break it down for you. Sara Gilbert, John Goodman, and Laurie Metcalf—they're all reportedly expecting their paychecks to keep rolling in. These actors had already agreed to earn a cool $300,000 per episode for the reboot's second season. Now, their options were exercised, meaning legally, they're entitled to that money. A source close to the situation mentioned, "They'll lawyer up if they have to." That's right, folks, this could get messy.
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Remember that tweet that sparked the whole fiasco? Yeah, the one where Roseanne compared former Obama aide Valerie Jarrett to the offspring of the Muslim Brotherhood and a Planet of the Apes character. That didn't go over so well. ABC acted swiftly, pulling the plug on 'Roseanne' on May 29. In a bizarre twist, Roseanne initially said she was leaving Twitter but then came back to blame her behavior on Ambien. She apologized, saying, "Don't feel sorry for me, guys!! I just want to apologize to the hundreds of people, and wonderful writers (all liberal) and talented actors who lost their jobs on my show due to my stupid tweet." She acknowledged her mistake, calling it "unforgivable," but asked for no defense.
ABC's Tough Decision
Now, while ABC hasn't officially commented on the financial implications of paying out the cast, Disney/ABC Television Group president Ben Sherwood did weigh in on the decision to cancel the show. In an email to the ABC staff, he explained, "Much has been said and written about yesterday’s decision to cancel the 'Roseanne' show. In the end, it came down to doing what’s right and upholding our values of inclusion, tolerance, and civility." He expressed sympathy for the cast and crew, saying, "Not enough, however, has been said about the many men and women who poured their hearts and lives into the show and were just getting started on the next season. We’re so sorry they were swept up in all of this and we give thanks for their remarkable talents, wish them well and hope to find another way to work together down the road."
View this post on InstagramWatching from the east coast w/Lecy, Sarah, &Michael – @roseanneonabc #roseanne
Not surprisingly, the cancellation left the cast reeling. John Goodman was relatively subdued, saying, "I would rather say nothing than to cause more trouble," adding humorously that he "wasn't going to get an Emmy anyway." Sara Gilbert, however, was a lot more vocal. She expressed her disappointment, calling Roseanne's comments "abhorrent" and clarifying that they do not reflect the beliefs of the cast and crew. She added, "This is incredibly sad and difficult for all of us, as we’ve created a show that we believe in, are proud of, and that audiences love—one that is separate and apart from the opinions and words of one cast member." It's been reported that Sara will "never, ever" work with Roseanne again.
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What's Next for 'Roseanne'?
So, where does this leave ABC and the future of 'Roseanne'? Will another network pick it up? It's a fascinating situation, and we're all curious to see how it unfolds. One thing's for sure, the drama behind the scenes is just as captivating as the show itself. Stay tuned, folks!
