Roseanne Barr Seeks Distributor for Self-Funded Sitcom 'Meemaw' After 2018 Cancellation

Key points

• Roseanne Barr is shopping 'Meemaw: A Modern Day Fable,' a self-financed, eight-episode single-camera sitcom, to distributors after failing to secure a network deal.
• The series is a co-production between Barr and John Solomon, who split production costs evenly, and features a cast including Drea de Matteo, Omar Gooding, and Randy Quaid.
• Barr claims the 2018 'Roseanne' reboot was sabotaged by ABC and producer Tom Werner, who she says attempted to strip her of creative control before her cancellation over a tweet.
• She maintains that her 2018 tweet about Valerie Jarrett was a political critique of the Iranian regime, not a racist remark, and that the show’s high ratings proved her audience appeal.
• Barr has expressed frustration with the lack of interest from major networks, stating she has a 'number one show' that they refuse to purchase, and has noted that she has not received a response from Elon Musk regarding the project.

Background

Barr’s 2018 cancellation followed a widely condemned tweet about Valerie Jarrett, leading to the show being retooled as 'The Conners,' which ran for seven seasons without her. Recent tensions have resurfaced, including a public feud with Michael Fishman, who defended the cancellation, and a dispute with Chuck Lorre over the writing process on the original series. Barr’s new project, 'Meemaw,' was completed in Austin, Texas, and is described as a semi-autobiographical satire, marking her first major television return since the 2018 incident.

Why it matters

Barr’s attempt to return to television through an independent, self-financed route highlights the ongoing challenges faced by high-profile figures who have been shunned by major networks due to past controversies. Her insistence on creative control and the financial risks she has taken to produce 'Meemaw' underscore the tension between traditional studio gatekeeping and independent production in the current television landscape. The project also serves as a test case for whether audiences and distributors will engage with content from a figure who remains polarizing in the industry.

What to watch

Barr is currently in negotiations with potential distributors for 'Meemaw,' with the outcome of these talks determining whether the series will be released to the public. The lack of a confirmed distributor or network deal suggests that the project may face significant hurdles in reaching a wide audience, potentially limiting its impact and visibility. The success or failure of 'Meemaw' will also influence future opportunities for Barr in the television industry, as well as the broader perception of independent, self-financed projects in the current market.