ABC Orders Roseanne Barr-less Roseanne Spinoff, The Conners

Roseanne may be gone, but the Conners certainly are not. As widely rumored, ABC has ordered a spinoff of gigahit series Roseanne, which was canceled after star Roseanne Barr made a racist remark on Twitter. Aside from Barr, the entire cast including Sara Gilbert, Laurie Metcalf, and John Goodman will return for the spin-off, which will be titled the Conners. The order of The Conners means that very little change will be made to ABC's Fall schedule, with the series simply taking the timeslot of its parent series.

What do you think of this news? WIll you be tuning in to The Conners? Let us know in the comments below!

Roseanne Canceled by ABC

In a sudden turn of events, ABC has decided not to go forward with a 10th season of Roseanne, the 2nd of the revival era. The lead actress Roseanne Barr, who plays the title character, sent out some racist tweets earlier this morning that The TV Ratings Guide does not wish to reflect here.

Roseanne was the highest-rated scripted show on broadcast television this season, and was the highest-rated show in relative ratings in the entire century; that includes peak Idol and Friends.

This is a sudden and tragic end to what was always one of the top shows on television, and the first season of the revival received rave reviews from critics and viewers alike. This will certainly prove to be a difficult time for advertisers and ABC, for which the show was likely projected to become one of the most profitable on television?

What do you think of this news? Let us know in the comments below.

Tuesday TV Ratings 5/22/18: The Middle Rises for Farewell, The Voice Steady for Finale (UPDATED)

Finals update: Roseanne (+0.1) and NCIS (+0.1) adjusted up.

Time	Show	18-49 Ratings	Viewers (mil)	Channel
8 PM	Roseanne (Series Finale)	2.5/12	10.33	ABC
	NCIS (F)	1.3/6	11.80	CBS
	The Voice (Clip Show)	1.1/5	6.08	NBC
	The Flash (F)	0.8/4	2.21	The CW
	Hancock	0.5/2	1.55	Fox
8:30 PM	The Middle (Series Finale)	1.7/7	7.09	ABC
9 PM	The Voice (F)	1.5/6	8.71	NBC
	NCIS (R)	0.7/3	6.69	CBS
	The 100	0.3/1	0.96	The CW
9:30 PM	Splitting Up Together (F)	1.0/4	4.06	ABC
10 PM	48 Hours: NCIS (P)	0.5/2	4.19	CBS
	For the People (F)	0.5/3	2.45	ABC

Tuesday TV Ratings 5/15/18: New Girl & Rise Remain Anemic with Series Finales (UPDATED)

Finals Update: NCIS (+0.1), The Middle (+0.1) and Chicago Med (+0.1) adjusted up. The 100 (-0.1) adjusted down.

Time	Show	18-49 Ratings	Viewers (mil)	Channel
8 PM	Roseanne	2.6/12	10.64	ABC
	The Voice	1.4/6	7.04	NBC
	NCIS	1.3/6	12.53	CBS
	The Flash	0.7/3	1.91	The CW
	Masterchef Junior: Road to Finale	0.5/2	1.73	Fox
8:30 PM	The Middle	1.5/6	6.33	ABC
9 PM	Blackish (F)	1.2/5	5.01	ABC
	NCIS: New Orleans	1.0/5	9.95	CBS
	Rise (Series Finale)	0.7/3	4.23	NBC
	New Girl	0.6/3	1.54	Fox
	The 100	0.3/1	1.10	The CW
9:30 PM	Splitting Up Together	1.0/4	3.65	ABC
	New Girl (Series Finale)	0.6/3	1.52	Fox
10 PM	Chicago Med (F)	1.0/4	5.49	NBC
	NCIS: New Orleans (F)	0.8/4	8.99	CBS
	For the People	0.5/2	2.00	ABC

2017-18 Sitcom Scorecard -- Never Watching FOX Again

Written Hunting FOX by Bridger Cunningham.

The last weeks of the Sitcom Scorecard series are afoot as beloved sitcoms lose Nielsen blood.  Thus far, AP Bio has joined the ranks of the renewed, leaving 23 shows in the clutches of the sitcom killer (3 are already suspected dead).  Sunday, May 6 opened with disappointing results for FOX as Bob's Burgers (0.7) and The Simpsons (0.9) and Family Guy (0.9) dropped another tenth, Brooklyn 99 (0.7) disappointed with another two-tenth drop and Last Man on Earth (0.7) limped out of the gates steady.  Monday, May 7 included slight improvements for Kevin Can Wait's finale (1.0) and Man With a Plan (0.9), while Superior Donuts' finale (0.7) held steady.

Tuesday, May 8 produced mostly stable results for ABC and FOX.  Roseanne (2.6), The Middle (1.5) and increasingly depressing Black-ish (1.2) all held steady, while Splitting Up Together (1.0) shed a tenth.  FOX' double helping of New Girl (0.5, 0.5) remained steady with its last showing, circling the drain.  And Wednesday, May 9 presented more abysmal ABC helpings as The Goldbergs (1.2) held steady, Alex Inc (0.7) handed a tenth over to Modern Family (1.3), and American Housewife (1.1) regained two.

This week's multi-arc passage was to include the silly, fictitious take of the sitcoms venturing to a cursed campground to be picked off by a sitcom killer.  However, the idea didn't come to fruition this week as FOX's triple slaying of The Mick, Brooklyn 99 and Last Man on Earth.  Several are heartbroken, some indifferent, and today, an overwhelming spew of hatred is coming from the impassioned.  "I hope Last Man Standing bombs because conservatives suck...."  "What a dumb fucking idea to give Carol Burnett a sitcom.  FOX is going off the air."  These are the kinder helpings of hate seen today, and this needs to be taken down six bullets. 

Yes, fans are hurt and angry.  Yes, killing these three shows off seems fairly senseless.  But stand in the shoes of the FOX executives.  For quite some time, FOX sitcoms have exhibited decaying Nielsens which do not discriminate against FOX' mighty Sundays.  Tuesdays have been abysmal for much of the decade since New Girl cooled in the ratings in 2014.  The network has worked feverishly to revamp this evening, going as far as to push the sitcoms into differing timeslots with few victories.  The Mick never caught on, no matter how often FOX plugged it in a promotional slot.  Last Man on Earth may have been in line with recent seasons' performances, but this spring exhibited a sharp drop.  And the serialized premise is hard to keep moving.

Brooklyn 99 recently bounced back on Sundays, but its fall 2017 performance scarred its chances of reclaiming its 2nd season glory.  A shorter 6th season may have been on the table, but New Girl's recent Nielsen disaster perhaps changed FOX's view on this offering to B99.  Add Thursday Night Football consuming 11 weeks (22 hours) next season, and a resurging drama variety.  The network has an embarrassment of riches in successful to modest dramas to pick from.  Save for Last Man on Earth, where would these series have been scheduled?  FOX is invested in a new direction with reviving Last Man Standing, and it needs compatible pieces to run adjacent, which none of the three axed sitcoms possessed.

Counter this with five sitcoms whose highest rank in this chart is 28th of 36 shows, and FOX had to make a choice.  Would they be wise to give The Resident the hook to save these three helpings?  All three do creative circles around creatively-decaying Simpsons, but Simpsons brings in the Nielsens, which helps generate profit.  Several are threatening to boycott the network all together, which is drastic.  People must remember there is good anger and bad.  Good anger in this instance may entail individually boycotting the network.  If FOX no longer gives you programs you enjoy, try out one of the others.  Bad anger is vomiting hateful comments on the network, other people, shows, fans of other shows or people of a differing political belief.

Out of this tragedy, fans can rest assure their shows enjoyed more than their original season.  Brooklyn 99 enjoyed five seasons, and is thriving in syndication on TBS.  The cable network has revived broadcast discards in the past (remember Cougar Town?), so perhaps they may be interested in giving the dynamic cast another run.  Last Man on Earth is streaming live, and The Mick enjoyed 37 episodes. 

This is a sad day indeed, but remember there is always hope.  And several actors within these productions who are a hot commodity for new or existing sitcoms!

Tuesday TV Ratings 5/8/18: NCIS Soars for Abby Farewell, Lethal Weapon Up a Little for Finale

Final numbers to come.

Time	Show	18-49 Ratings	Viewers (mil)	Channel
8 PM	Roseanne	2.6/12	10.19	ABC
	NCIS	1.6/7	14.79	CBS
	The Voice	1.2/6	7.20	NBC
	Lethal Weapon (F)	0.8/4	3.10	Fox
	The Flash	0.7/3	1.72	The CW
8:30 PM	The Middle	1.5/7	5.85	ABC
9 PM	Bull (F)	1.3/6	11.80	CBS
	Blackish	1.2/5	4.36	ABC
	Rise	0.7/3	3.83	NBC
	New Girl	0.5/2	1.53	Fox
	The 100	0.4/2	1.11	The CW
9:30 PM	Splitting Up Together	1.0/4	3.54	ABC
	New Girl	0.5/2	1.37	Fox
10 PM	Chicago Med	1.0/4	5.77	NBC
	NCIS: New Orleans	0.8/4	8.12	CBS
	For the People	0.5/2	2.09	ABC

Roseanne Season 10 Episode 7 Review: Go Cubs

Written Demanding More Disclosures by Bridger Cunningham.

Prejudice was the antithesis of the character Roseanne Conner during the first 9 seasons of Roseanne.  Flash forward to 2018, and Rosie is suddenly prejudiced against a new set of Middle-Eastern neighbors.  The opening third of the episode was indeed a departure of character to display these tendencies.  No matter what impact 9/11 had on the public changing their views on other races, Rosie's jarring change abandons her prior stance of all are welcome save for assholes.  Roseanne continues her unwavering standpoint until Mary (Jayden Rey) desperately wants to Skype with her overseas mother.  After making an awkward early morning entrance to request a password, the new neighbors instead offer to allow the Conners and Mary make the call in their living room.

Trite issues consume that scene until the Yemenese couple consents and gives the password, cementing a valid point which children should not be punished because of adults' ignorance.  Elsewhere, this episode continued its legacy of broaching social issues and conflicts.  Dan loses a job due to a company's objection over hiring illegal labor, leaving the Conners in a lurch financially.  In his first wince of a story beyond being a scene filler, DJ revealed the woes veterans face with attaining medical and psychological care.  Fishman continues to be the most underutilized contract character this season (sadly behind the Conner grandchildren), and viewers would enjoy larger helpings of story for the overlooked Conner child.

The closing acts of the episode returned Roseanne to recognition as she encounters her new neighbor in the checkout line experiencing blatant stereotyping.  She kicks back into bitch mode, not only covering her neighbor's shortage of funds but threatening the young cashier with a report to a manager due to her outward wrath to a stranger.  Though Roseanne remained prejudiced the entire episode, she always exhibited manners despite her views, contrasting the cashier making a camel and American taxpayer reference.  The closing credits not only display a comical exchange of neighborly awakenings, but viewers' first glimpse of DJ's wife Geena (Jahmela Biggs).

The 9-episode season has been hit or miss with cameos and balancing the floor for character story, which made Go Cubs an improvement in balance over recent episodes.  It managed to weave Adilah Barnes and (now) Grey's Anatomy regular James Pickens, Jr as Anne-Marie and Chuck.  Always a mild presence with no story, the cameo was fitting as Anne-Marie and Chuck enjoyed more exposure and purpose than the recent cameo blunders doled out to Johnny Galecki, Sandra Bernhardt and Natalie West, all secondary characters whose involvement in the prior seasons involved rich stories.  This episode also welcomed another appearance from Michael Fishman as DJ, as well as all three Conner grandies being present with dialogue.  Keep this balance, and ratings may remain obscenely high.

Episode Score: 9 out of 10.

2017-18 Week 32 Sitcom Scorecard: Between Heaven and Hell Rests 21 Shows Shoved by 2 Broke Girls

Written Cranking Up The Heat on The Afterlife by Bridger Cunningham.

Last week's entry featured a dearly departed sitcom favorite, Last Man Standing, allowing Mike Baxter to narrate that scorecard.  Ironic, as FOX unveiled discussion of a revival not too far off.  This week, another dearly departed favorite, 2 Broke Girls, narrates the odds of survival.  Foreshadowing?

Sunday, April 29 experienced mixed to heavenly results as Bob's Burgers (0.8) and The Simpsons (0.9) held steady, while Brooklyn 99 (0.9), Family Guy (1.0) and Last Man On Earth (0.7) all gained a tenth.  Monday, April 30 tripped over embarrassing ratings as Kevin Can Wait (0.8) dropped a tenth to a series low, Man With a Plan (0.8) tied its low, and Superior Donuts (0.7) lost a tenth and bottomed out in a new low.

Tuesday, May 1 proceeded with more drops as Roseanne (2.6) hemorrhaged another eight-tenths, The Middle (1.5) dropped four tenths from its last outing three weeks earlier, Blackish (1.2) held steady, and Splitting Up Together (1.1) bounced back a tenth.  Over at FOX, new lows plagued LA>Vegas's finale (0.5) and New Girl (0.5) lost a tenth and carved out new lows.  ABC's misfortunes continued on Wednesday, May 2 as the Goldbergs (1.2) sunk to a new series low, Alex Inc (0.8) ticked up a tenth due to its neighbors, Modern Family (1.2) dropped two tenths to a new low, and American Housewife (0.9) experienced the same shaming, albeit with its first fractional delivery.

CBS hit the reset button and bounced back on Thursday, May 3 as The Big Bang Theory (2.5) regained a tenth, Young Sheldon (2.0) reclaimed two tenths, Mom (1.4) collected one, and Life in Pieces (1.0) held steady.  NBC's finales bowed out Fractional as Superstore (0.8) and AP Bio (0.6) ticked up a tenth, and Champions (0.4) held steady.

Curious about what the hell to watch next week?  It appears 25 original helpings of sitcoms are available to watch.  Check out http://www.ontvtonight.com/guide/ to see what the networks have scheduled for viewers to enjoy or if they will be loading viewers full of repeats.

Last week, 21 sitcoms were given their passcode to get into the Renewal Speak Easy by Tim Allen's Mike Baxter.  As Allen has been busy this week doing promos to revive his popular series, 21 sitcoms have been patiently awaiting word of revival.  Unlike last season, ABC and CBS didn't release a list of returning series.  Half of NBC's stable is determined, and that is where the buck stops.  Until the sitcoms spotted the buck of a horse and recognized one of TV's most beloved sitcom characters.  Chestnut, the champion horse, was ridden by another familiar face -- wisecracking cashier Earl Washington.

Earl Ushers the Guests to Purgatory

"Ladies, Gentleman and competing sitcoms.  Please join me as your company is requested.  Not in that desired Renewal Speak Easy.  But in another room where you will be visited by my sitcom past." Quipped Earl.  "Are we in hell now?" sniped the cast of Family Guy.  "Not just yet." added Earl.  "Although you got a view of that when you were in purgatory from 2003-05.  You were a true inspiration for all of us cancelled folks.  As you came back from purgatory log before this overdone revival trend.  My, my!  How time does fly!  Stand here, as you will all be called by numbers and be told of your fates.

Caroline Flutters in the Angels (100%: Renewals Predicted)

The first to be ushered into "Purgatory" were the 100% crowd, consisting of 7 series, greeted by vapid yet beautiful Caroline Channing ushered the highest rated series into a bleak, non-descript room.  "Greeting beloved sitcoms.  Welcome to the rest of your fate."  "Oh no.  Did we die and have to join you in heaven?" Sighed the cast of Life in Pieces.  "No, not at all."  Corrected Caroline, Again.  "Neither you nor I are in heaven, just yet."  "So we're stuck in a fluffy version of hell then." sniped the cast of American Housewife."  "Alright my angels, time to get back on track." interrupted Caroline.  "All of you are not yet ready to cross over to the other side, as your networks need you too badly.  Even you, American Housewife.  You lack culture and polish, and somehow get people laughing on tired Wednesdays on ABC.  Unlike The Goldberg's, you have furthering plots and don't rip off your plots from old Growing Pains scripts."

"And Black-ish..." continued Caroline.  "Your social relevance and heavy-handed writing can be a downer, but you are needed for the emmy reels.  Even you Fresh Off The Boat.  You represent a scarce minority as your entire contract cast is Asian, but you have the same rating anywhere you sit on the schedule.  Family Guy and Bob's Burgers, you are two of FOX's best offerings on their Sundays.  You still make people laugh.  And my two former CBS peeps?  All of you sit in undesirable timeslots.  Kevin Can Wait, CBS would never make you wait for a timeslot like they did with Man With a Plan or my show.  And once upon a time, my show sat in your timeslot.  You are as sturdy as Life in Pieces, which is why our network needs your help next season.  Now all of you can exit out this door, where you will patiently await your renewal.  I will follow, as Sophie needs to usher the next group in her tasteless yet charming way...."

Sophie Bolsters The Next Three in For Their Fates (70-90%: Likely Renewals)

Waiting outside, the other 14 shows wait impatiently as they've been standing around during Caroline's long-winded speech.  "Hide your kids, hide your fractions.  Your fate is here!" ignited Sophie (as the trite laugh track cheer confused the 14 guests).  "Now who here has the numbers 70, 80 or 90?"  As three sitcoms raised their cards, Sophie instructed the group to enter Purgatory.  "Sorry this room is so colorless.  But that's why I invited you three in for company!  Does anybody want a martini while you wait?"  "Where exactly are we?" asked Arthur from the Superior Donuts cast.  "And are you truly a Pole?  My name has belted out more Polish than your accent did in six years."  "And your attitude stinks like my neighbors did in that country.  Either way, you're sitting pretty for our wicked network to schedule you next year.  But you're going to have to wait like we did three seasons.  Just like Man With a Plan over here.  Both great shows on an unappreciative network who will make you wait because of those stupid fractions you delivered this year."

"But we haven't gone fractional yet." declared the cast of Splitting Up Together.  "Yes, but you are so new with only 5 shows.  ABC can't tell if that is you or Roseanne's perfume in your numbers, which is why you are 80%.  But guess what?  I predict you will all be back next year.  I know your networks need and want you, just like the last set of guests.  Now let's get out of here as Max likes busting chops and is looking forward to giving the next six guests her sourpuss face!  Now let's join the other seven shows, and that annoying Caroline making everything about her!"  Sophie ushers the guests out the door, as Max emerges from the back, room, ploom with a cloud of smoke.

Max Blows Bubbles (45-55%: On the Bubble)

Max opens the door and snarks "Alright you losers.  Who has a 45 or 55?  And for those of you packing heat, keep in mind I was carrying a 45 when I got in this room last year and ready to put you losers out of your misery before your networks do if you try anything!"  In enters NBC newbie AP Bio and a nerd herd quinet of FOX shows, Ghosted, LA>Vegas, Last Man on Earth, The Mick and Brooklyn 99.  "All of you are in the same position my show was last year as your networks don't really care where you sit on the schedule.  Your networks are going to purge you if they find some new fad to follow.  Some of you will return, others will perhaps join me next year in the afterlife."

"Didn't we hide out together in the barn last year?" Asked the cast of Brooklyn-99.  "Yes, and when the killer barged in, you hid in the loft and let 2 ladies and a horse get chased off the schedule!  You act more like a pretty boy than Ghosted over there!  All I can say is watch your ass, as what is behind this door is more frightening than me when a customer stiffs me with two cents or two inches."  Groaned Max.  As she shuttled the next set of guests in, Oleg emerged, eager to greet the four ratings remains.

Shows Whose Ratings Need Deodorant (-5-20%: Cancelled?)

"Do you smell something?" Asked Oleg.  "Failure?" asked the cast of Alex Inc?  "That too.  What I was referring to was your ratings, which were so awful they drove viewers away like me in a nightclub when I wasn't wearing any underwear.  9JKL, my show was aging last year, and it still did better than your disaster on CBS this year.  Alex Inc, you couldn't hook a new viewer in ABC's best timeslot like a hooker in church.  And as for you two NBC jokes?  You both sat in the sweet scent of Will & Grace and couldn't turn on male or female viewers.  Now you have no choice but to visit one of the most obscene places known to television." stated Oleg.

"Your closet?" cracked Great News.  "Nope, somewhere you're about to see little horrors even the rats run from..."  Oleg opened the last door, leaving his guests to wonder what  horrific fate awaited them...."

What Horrors Lie Ahead Next Week

The four guests were awash with terror, not knowing what awaited them.  They joined the other  shows in limbo as Han ushered them to their next quest.  "You shows need to duke it out in a final battle against one of the 20th Century's most frightening killers."  Don't tell me you're that little killer from that Jennifer Aniston comedy Leprechaun." Cracked the cast of The Mick.  "Nice one." cheered on Max.  "But he would need balls to kill.  Your shows are going to stare down a killer in the woods like I did last year.  You're going to Camp Fractional Lake.  Take my advice and wear a rubber and a rating above 1.0."  "That's not fair!  Why do those other 10 shows get to stay with the pretty ladies." questioned 9JKL.  "They thought they did, but I already pulled them into that bloodbath.  Now march...." ordered Max.

Tune in next week as this season's sitcom remains fight for survival in a cancellation bloodbath.

Tuesday TV Ratings 5/1/18: LA To Vegas Ends On a New Low, Roseanne Falls in Return (UPDATED)

Finals Update: Roseanne (+0.1) and Chicago Med (+0.1) adjusted up. The 100 (-0.1) adjusted down.

Time	Show	18-49 Ratings	Viewers (mil)	Channel
8 PM	Roseanne	2.6/12	10.31	ABC
	The Voice	1.2/6	7.48	NBC
	NCIS	1.2/6	12.12	CBS
	Lethal Weapon	0.7/3	3.07	Fox
	The Flash	0.6/3	1.69	The CW
8:30 PM	The Middle	1.5/6	6.10	ABC
9 PM	Black-ish	1.2/5	4.57	ABC
	Bull	1.1/5	10.32	CBS
	Rise	0.7/3	3.83	NBC
	LA To Vegas (Series Finale)	0.5/2	1.80	Fox
	The 100	0.3/1	1.06	The CW
9:30 PM	Splitting Up Together	1.1/5	3.89	ABC
	New Girl	0.5/2	1.46	Fox
10 PM	Chicago Med	1.0/4	5.75	NBC
	NCIS: New Orleans	0.9/4	8.11	CBS
	For the People	0.6/3	2.23	ABC