Roseanne Barr Returns to Sitcoms After ABC Firing

Eight years after the tweet that led to her departure from ABC, Roseanne Barr seems poised for a comeback.

At the age of 73, one might think she’d be sidelined from mainstream television. Yet, Barr has been busy raising private funds to produce an eight-episode sitcom in Austin, Texas. The cast features talents like Randy Quaid, Drea de Matteo, Omar Gooding, and Tony Hinchcliffe.

Despite the past controversies, Barr hasn’t been completely out of the public eye. She’s made guest appearances on popular shows such as “Kill Tony” and Bill Maher’s “Club Random.” Additionally, her podcast has over 150 episodes.

This time around, Barr is re-entering the sitcom scene with a project titled “Meemaw.” However, it wasn’t a straightforward journey. Her initial concept revolved around an Alabama farmer exploring marijuana and magic mushrooms, but she struggled to attract interest in Hollywood.

Instead of giving up, Barr decided to revise the idea. She teamed up with Allen Covert, a long-time collaborator of Adam Sandler, to refine the script. Ultimately, she gathered enough backing from private investors to create the new series, which began filming last November in Austin and has since concluded production.

There is, however, a significant hurdle: as of now, no network or streaming platform has committed to airing the series.

A Semi-Autobiographical Narrative

In a similar vein to “Roseanne,” which was inspired by her own life during its initial run and a 2018 revival, “Meemaw” is also semi-autobiographical.

Reports suggest that the show depicts a woman from a “very liberal East Coast Jewish family” who finds herself disinherited and relocates to Texas. Barr portrays the matriarch of a diverse, prepper family, as she strives to organize a magnificent bat mitzvah for her granddaughter.

Barr has expressed her belief that “Meemaw” is equally groundbreaking, if not more so, than her original work, claiming that her craft has matured over the years. She hopes the show will unite families with differing opinions, allowing them to laugh together and acknowledge their flaws.

She adds, “My daughters are very progressive, and naturally, I include jokes for them, similar to what I did on ‘Roseanne.’” Barr makes it clear she touches on everyone, making light of those in power, including creating some sharp jokes aimed at Republicans that will resonate with liberal audiences. “I’m an equal opportunity destroyer,” she notes.

Star-Studded Cast and Content

The role of Barr’s husband will be played by the comedic yet controversial Randy Quaid. Barr lightheartedly mentions they will share “romantic” scenes, even joking about the extras possibly appearing on OnlyFans.

Drea de Matteo will portray Barr’s daughter, while Omar Gooding, brother of Cuba Gooding Jr., will take on the role of her son-in-law. In an unexpected twist, Tony Hinchcliffe is said to feature as Satan.

Barr appears to understand what audiences might want to hear — and what some may not. She humorously remarks about wanting her perspective as a Jew to be shared in today’s climate.

Funding and Support Challenges

Interestingly, Barr shared that Gooding faced pressure over his decision to be part of the show, but opted to prioritize comedy. She remarked that it takes a strong belief in one’s abilities to challenge the Hollywood establishment.

Additionally, Barr revealed that she attempted to reach out to Elon Musk for financial assistance with the project, but noted, “He never got back to me.” She humorously lamented about being dismissed for a text that was visible for just two hours.