W Post: 'Roseanne' is a smash, but ABC's biggest star is also its most controversial

[Omaha Steve]

ABC executives knew exactly what they were getting into when they hired Roseanne Barr.

While her off-key, crotch-grabbing rendition of the national anthem in 1990 is the most viral example of the comedian’s polarizing past, the original run of ABC’s “Roseanne” in the ‘90s made headlines for being a toxic work environment: Barr herself threatened to quit, and one producer announced his exit by saying he was fleeing for “the relative peace and quiet of Beirut.”

But in the wake of Donald Trump’s unexpected victory in 2016, ABC decided it needed a show that would appeal to Middle America. So, tapping into TV’s current nostalgia obsession, it went with a reboot of “Roseanne,” in which Barr plays a Trump supporter — as she is in real life — and clashes with her family over their respective political views.

As everyone knows, the ratings for the premiere were jaw-dropping. A whopping 18 million viewers tuned in, and that number jumped to about 25 million with DVR-delayed viewing. This week’s episode notched 15.2 million overnight viewers, a slight dip but still an outstanding number for a sitcom in 2018.

FULL story: http://www.omaha.com/go/tv/roseanne-is-a-smash-but-abc-s-biggest-star-is/article_626e6880-b82f-5f50-a15f-0001d83025a2.html

[Angry Dragon]

1. Going down, down, down, down

[Blue_Adept]

3. 18 to 15 is certainly down

But not the "40% DOWN!" that some people are screaming.

[marble falls]

11. Made me think of this.....

[Historic NY]

2. I didn't watch it in the past and surely not now...

people will get bored with the low lifes eventually, its likes a car wreck drive by.

[still_one]

4. If a person supports a racist, sexist, bigot, what does that say about that person?

[jrthin]

7. I have an answer: They are racist, sexist, and bigots. nt

[still_one]

8. It seems there are no two ways about it.

[highplainsdem]

5. I've heard even RWers complain that this week's episode wasn't very funny.

And these are people who don't see anything wrong with Roseanne's political views.

[marble falls]

6. I think the novelty factor will wear off PDQ.

[Omaha Steve]

9. I agree

[marble falls]

16. How are you doing these days, Steve?

[Omaha Steve]

17. I don't post near as much as I used to

But I'm holding up very well. Thanks for asking.

OS

[marble falls]

18. You've always been a good source of information, particularly on labor issue, a good go to source.

[Stuart G]

14. I think very soon her ratings will crash. Correct.."novelty factor will wear off"

When that happens...no more Roseanne ...and that is where she belongs..gone..

[marble falls]

15. It'll be pretty interesting when ABC cancels season 2 and Roseann's lawyers want the money anyways.

[dalton99a]

10. Roseanne Barr does not represent "Middle America"

She now represents the Trump cult.

[ProudLib72]

13. Now now, "Middle America" is the pc term for

Raging homophobic, xenophobic, racist shit head. It's something the MSM refuses to call these people.

[oberliner]

12. Writers, Producers, and Actors involved with the show are almost all liberal Democrats

For what that is worth.