Roseanne is the latest classic to get a rebooted treatment, and many are curious to see how one of America’s most relatable families feels in a new century (will they completely ignore the insane last season?). While reviews have been largely positive — our own Alan Sepinwall is confident that the show justifies its existence in the first few episodes — would viewers flock to the warm cackle that defined the show in its original era? Or would they be too turned off by the controversial star, Roseanne Barr, who has spouted political views that make even her costars uncomfortable.
Turns out, fans on Twitter were pretty mixed. Some welcomed the return of the Connors with open arms, settling back into the signature couch and enjoying the callbacks, winking jokes, and more timely references.
5 minutes in and I’m already LOL!! Welcome back #Roseanne 🤣🤣🤣
— LiteralisticlyT (@9virgo15_Betty) March 28, 2018
🤣🤣🤣 I. Can. Not. This is the best. #Roseanne pic.twitter.com/0kcrIzYCv2
— Anna 🍊✝️ (@annah038) March 28, 2018
It’s so good to see #Roseanne back on TV! pic.twitter.com/YblrAw4oKw
— Tyler Roney (@TylerJRoney) March 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/DirrtyR/status/978785622411415552
The #Roseanne re-boot has thrown race, politics, politics, and identity in a blender…and the mix is really good.
TRUST ME…I'm shocked. Lol!
— Greg Simms Jr. (@gregsimmsjr) March 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/myahhox/status/978795779782569984
#Roseanne The writers and who ever made the conversation decisions , hit it all on the head . Funny and real just love it 😍
— Coffee (@jcoffeebean) March 28, 2018
All TV shows should take a clue from #Roseanne.
You don’t have to bash one political side. Its much funnier when everyone gets roasted.— Kiff Kat🇺🇸🇮🇱 (@TheRealKiffkat) March 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/TWHToni/status/978792960346279938
Love how the new #Roseanne is handling politics and political correctness. It’s not being shoved down our throats and they are showing both sides and viewpoints. Kudos. Keep it up!
— 𝒜𝓃𝑔𝒾𝑒 (@AngieMMXXI) March 28, 2018
#Roseanne show is soooo funny. Thanks @therealroseanne for showing that families can have different political views, but still love each other. 💕
— DT Cahill (@DTCahill) March 28, 2018
I will call right wing propaganda when I see it, and this isn’t it. I love that a mainstream show is directly tackling the fact that very close knit families are politically split right now. That’s reality for many of us #Roseanne
— Tori Burns (@tarheeltori) March 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/HollyC61/status/978796763338477568
They are still pulling it off. They are every family. #Roseanne
— Melissa 🤶🏻 (@mrsmelissa99) March 28, 2018
Only #Roseanne could seamlessly connect "a pocket knife as a gateway to pockets" and "surrogate mother placenta eating." Leave the politics out, it's just #funny.
— Justin Fleshman (@fleshmaj) March 28, 2018
I thought I was going to hate this new #Roseanne but I have laughed, out loud, from my belly like 5 times. It has surprised me just like the new #WillandGrace. 😂😂😂😂
— Socially Distant (@snoe_fenix) March 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/itsL0ra/status/978788073793343490
#Roseanne is the show that can bring up sensitive topics and make us feel better about the world we live in – hence why this comeback is 100% necessary! @RoseanneOnABC
— LivingStoneWriter on Wattpad and AO3 (@TimeLordNeas) March 28, 2018
However, some were unable to separate the art from the artist, soured by Barr’s vocal Trump support.
Good reminder that #Roseanne has tweeted horribly racist things against Arabs and Muslims but..has received a "mulligan." When you're a star you can get away with it I guess.
— Wajahat Ali (@WajahatAli) March 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/auntbeckyrose/status/978789780371599360
Tom Arnold and #Roseanne: pic.twitter.com/d9RIPcxij2
— Lisa Miller (@LisaMillersTale) March 27, 2018
Remember when #roseanne praised women like Janis Joplin? Remember when she wanted women to be whoever they wanted to be? Remember when she had a conversation with Jenna Elfman on the show about women's rights and was the ultra feminist? I miss that.
— Ariana 🇵🇷 (@roselace91939) March 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/MirandaDawn/status/978788096459395075
What's with all the political lines? Coming on kinda thick. Dealing with enough of that crap in real life. Just focus moreso on the family antics/stories #roseanne
— Angie C. (@Music_Is_Me88) March 28, 2018
To be fair, this is how she chose to start her livetweet, proving that she welcomes the controversy.
what's up, deplorable? #roseanne
— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) March 28, 2018
Politics aside, it seems like fans are more than happy to welcome the show back to their screens in 2018. If the creative team manages to skewer both sides of the political aisle while focusing on the more emotional family moments, Roseanne just might deserve to be here.
