Roseanne Barr insists she never asked to be “paid off” when her axed sitcom was resurrected without her in the leading role.
Roseanne Barr never asked to be “paid off” when her axed sitcom was resurrected without her in the leading role.
The 65-year-old television personality exited her self-titled show after posting a racist tweet but was handed a “settlement” when ABC decided to bring the show back as ‘The Conners’, with the focus around Darlene (Sara Gilbert).
Speaking to Rabbi Shmuley Boteach in a podcast, she said: “I didn’t ask to be paid off. I asked for nothing, and I just stepped away … because that is penance. I put a lot of thought into it.”
Meanwhile, ABC recently confirmed the ‘Roseanne’ spin-off series without the involvement of Barr.
The synopsis read: “After a sudden turn of events, the Conners are forced to face the daily struggles of life in Lanford in a way they never have before. This iconic family – Dan, Jackie, Darlene, Becky and D.J. – grapples with parenthood, dating, an unexpected pregnancy, financial pressures, aging and in-laws in working-class America. Through it all, the fights, the coupon cutting, the hand-me-downs, the breakdowns – with love, humor and perseverance, the family prevails.”
The announcement for the new show stressed that Roseanne will have no financial or creative involvement in the new series.
A statement from Roseanne and executive producer Tom Werner added: “Tom Werner and Roseanne Barr have reached an agreement that will allow Werner Entertainment to produce a spin-off of the Roseanne series for ABC without Barr’s further creative or financial participation.”