The Conners: Coronavirus Crisis Will ‘Absolutely’ Be Woven Into Season 3
The Conners are about to fall on hard harder times. [pmc_inline_gallery]
Ahead of the ABC comedy’s Season 2 finale next week, the show’s main creative team tells TVLine that the coronavirus crisis will without question be incorporated into Season 3 (which the network is expected to officially order any day now).
“We’ll absolutely be dealing with it,” confirms exec producer Bruce Helford. “We’re a show that reflects reality, so we’re obligated [to address it]. I would think somebody in the family would be taking the jobs no one else wants, [like] working in grocery stories. They’d be taking jobs that put them at risk because they need the money, like most of blue collar America.”
As fellow EP Bruce Rasmussen adds, the Lunch Box — like most restaurants around the world — will almost certainly be impacted by the pandemic. And at home, Dan “may be getting some mortgage forgiveness” on his already-late payments, previews the EP.
“We’re always more interested in the emotional truth of what it’s like to live without a safety net,” explains exec producer Dave Caplan/ “What it’s like to live on the edge when something totally out of the blue like this happens — when you’re already on the edge. It’s a disaster.”
The Conners‘ Season 2 finale airs Tuesday, May 5 at 8/7c on ABC.
![‘Presumed Innocent’ Finale Shocker: Is Jake Gyllenhaal’s Rusty Sabich Guilty or Innocent? The Killer Is Revealed to Be [SPOILER]](https://variety.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Presumed_Innocent_Photo_010803.jpg?resize=232,175)
Roseanne/The Conners is a show that deals with these kinds of issues really well from a working class perspective. I’ll be interested to see how they do it and how they keep it current (assuming – hopefully – the crisis is over by the time season three comes around).
I always like how they manage to make light of it without making fun of it. It’s a thin line, but they don’t cross it
It will likely be more a case of everyone having to stay in the house all the time and not going out. And you can be sure they’ll do a toilet paper episode.
Seconding every single word of this. Well put :).
I miss Roseanne, but love Becky more than when she was a brat. Lol
And Katie Segal is great!
As long as it’s talked about for multiple episodes, like an hour-long season premiere and not just one episode.
I think they should lose the house. I know, that’s a huge step, but if you want to be real, that’s being real. The banks get the money, not the people.
I love the idea of everyone trying to live in Jackie’s apartment until they figure things out. The comedy writes itself. Like David says above – the writers generally do a good job of making light of these serious situations without making fun of the people who actually go through it. I think this could be an interesting way to go. That house is just so iconic, though…
I would expect nothing less from The Conners. The Conner family was always the only US sitcom to deal with the struggles of the working poor, & the pandemic’s effect on this family would be brutal. Unemployed, self employed, part time jobs, payment off the books, no insurance, a fledgling restaurant business, lots of mouths to feed — this is reality for millions of Americans, & I look forward to seeing the Conners deal with life yet find strength in their family bonds. And be very funny while doing so! (One suggestion on a different topic: Have Louise “surprise” Dan with one of those new hose free mask free sleep apnea devices. He deserves it!)
Everyone is so angry on this show and all have become so unlikeable especially Harris and Darlene (asking Grandma to give money to Harris instead and then getting mad about it when he finds out???). I’m still watching but there used to be a balance or at least an understanding of being unlikeable. My aunt can’t stand the show and turns the channel when it’s on – I love these characters but they are starting to wear thin – please get back to the show that we used to love.
Perhaps it’s your perspective that’s changed because the overall tone of the show sure hasn’t.
Shows is trash. Just pay the actors and cancel it. Sarah is a real traitor !
I have a feeling that many shows will be dealing with the virus next season, likely over multiple episodes if not most of the season.
Like the TV show The Conners they hit reality a real life with a little humor and hard times and they work things out as a family great show.
I love the show!
Miss Roseanne : (
I’m more curious how much longer ABC is going to pretend a show with continually sinking ratings is “highly popular” and keep losing money on it. Look at the ratings, season 1 was substantially lower than Roseanne’s final season, and season 2 was substantially lower than season 1, so you know season 3 is going to lose ABC money, but I guess they don’t care they’re losing money, they’re trying to stick it to Roseanne.
I don’t think you know how ratings work. It is literally abc’s top rated comedy show despite the ratings being gradually lower since Season 10. That’s how high the ratings were for Season 10 of Roseanne, despite lowering, it is still really popular.
+75 TVLine Power User points (no cash value)