Review: ‘The Conners’ lacks Roseanne’s bite but provides a satisfying meal

Review: ‘The Conners’ lacks Roseanne’s bite but provides a satisfying meal

The Conner family has to adjust to life without Roseanne. “The Conners” is already doing so.

ABC’s sitcom (Tuesday, 8 EDT/PDT, ★★★ out of four), a spinoff rising from the ashes of the “Roseanne” revival’s May cancellation, is missing a major asset, fired series namesake Roseanne Barr, along with the sharp, controversial political bite (and P.R. headaches) that characterized her return last spring as a President Trump-supporting conservative.

Nevertheless, it’s better than might be expected after an emergency star-ectomy. “The Conners” keeps much of what’s best about the original classic – the sarcasm, the blue-collar grit, topical issues and schmaltz-free emotion – as it evolves into a more traditional family sitcom, one that still focuses on the often-neglected working class.

ABC screened two episodes for TV critics: Tuesday’s premiere, which immediately addresses matriarch Roseanne Conner’s absence – we’re not allowed to say how she exits, although co-star John Goodman accidentally let slip in an interview that she died – and a later episode, featuring a guest appearance by Johnny Galecki as the estranged husband of Darlene (Sara Gilbert), the Conners’ daughter.

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Not surprisingly, the spinoff, which shares much of the “Roseanne” cast and crew, has a familiar look and pace. The scene is still the well-worn home of the financially struggling Conners, and that shabby couch is never going anywhere. There’s sadness, seriousness, but still plenty of laughs, some out loud.

Barr’s departure, however, has shifted the center of gravity, and Goodman’s Dan and Gilbert’s Darlene assume larger roles in her absence. Goodman ably grounds Dan –initially struggling without his best buddy and wife – with an added dose of gravitas. Gilbert shines, as Darlene carries on her mother’s tradition of withering sarcasm while revealing an occasional glimpse of vulnerability that signifies emotional strength, not weakness. She misses her mom, but Darlene, the mother of two, must fill her shoes.

As Darlene’s older sister Becky (Lecy Goranson), aptly tells her: “You’re the obvious choice to take over for Mom. You already live here and you’re a scary little tyrant.”

“The Conners” obviously misses Barr’s searing comedic perspective, delivered in trademark flat affect and punctuated by a devastating cackle. But the new show looks like it can survive without her, since “Roseanne” really was a strong ensemble comedy, with supporting characters well-honed, recognizable and beloved after its initial nine-season run (1988-1997) and this year’s revival.

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Laurie Metcalf, a marvelous actress, imbues Roseanne’s sister Jackie with a touching and hilarious sense of confusion, as her sibling yin is gone. Who will she spar with now?

D.J. (Michael Fishman), the younger brother of Becky and Darlene, still lives primarily on the periphery, but his role may be bolstered by the return of his wife, Geena (Maya Lynne Robinson), who was serving in the Army in Afghanistan last season.

Geena, a churchgoer who brings a shipshape, button-down military discipline, leavens the loss of Roseanne’s challenging voice and seems like a worthy match for the disorderly, hardly pious Conners, but she comes from a different strain of conservatism in the way she challenges the lax Conner household.

The only misses come from guest stars. Blue (Juliette Lewis), the girlfriend of Darlene’s estranged husband, David, is too over-the-top as a nonsense-spouting hippie, and Darlene’s potential new love interest (Justin Long) arrives right on cue as if he’d been ordered from Amazon.

“The Conners” confronts real-world challenges, one of the most appealing traits of “Roseanne,” in storylines about health care costs, addiction, teen sex and divorce.

More:ABC talks ‘The Conners’ without Roseanne: Planned arcs for Darlene, Dan still in works

But with Barr’s departure, the new comedy mostly avoids the conservative-liberal battles of its predecessor, and it’s probably better off not trying to replace her unique perspective. It doesn’t make any effort to find a substitute for Roseanne’s position as an ardent supporter of President Trump, which likely will displease many fans.

But others now may want to join the Conners, whose sharp insults are softened by an underlying love, as they still gather around the kitchen table. It’s not going to be a cultural phenomenon without the woman once at its center, but it seems likely to be a comfy, enjoyable place to sit down for a meal.