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Now that Roseanne is kaput, eliminated by the power of cultural backlash against Ambien-fueled racism, network ABC is considering if there’s any money left to squeeze out of the franchise. Could a spinoff dedicated to Darlene, played by Sara Gilbert, ever capture the same working-class spirit as the original? Or the remake, which inspired mixed feelings from our cultural arbiters of television greatness?

As TMZ would have it, Gilbert’s been calling cast members to gauge their interest. John Goodman’s been feeling cautiously optimistic. I’m sure the crew members and cameramen who lost their jobs last week are, too.

But now it’s time to call America and gauge its interest in seeing the Connors without its erstwhile matriarch. Do we care for a future where Roseanne’s character is on indefinite hiatus? Can the show be salvaged from the wreckage of the ever growing gap between liberals and conservatives? Should it be?

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Season 2 Roseanne episode summaries:

Oct. 2: Becky gets for a new job; Darlene frets about her son’s new art project; Roseanne remains in a coma after knee surgery.
Oct. 9: Dan starts a side business; Jackie meets a man; Roseanne remains in a coma after knee surgery.
Oct. 16…

— Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) May 29, 2018

Shira Feder still hasn’t watched Westworld. One day she will. She’s at [email protected]

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