John Goodman and Roseanne Barr have drifted apart since their time as a married couple on Roseanne. Goodman recently shared that he hasn’t spoken to Barr in about seven or eight years. This aligns with the show’s abrupt end following Barr’s controversial tweet in 2018. The network canceled the beloved sitcom, which was later revamped into The Conners without Barr, who was written out of the show.
In a chat with The Hollywood Reporter, Goodman reflected on their past bond. “We hit it off from the start. She made me laugh, and I made her laugh. It was a special time,” he said. The original Roseanne, from 1988 to 1997, attracted a massive audience, reaching up to 30 million viewers at its peak. Nowadays, TV viewership has changed dramatically, with streaming dominating the landscape.
After the 2018 incident, ABC’s then-president Channing Dungey called Barr’s tweet “abhorrent” and cited it as the reason for canceling the show. Barr did attempt to apologize, claiming her tweet was in poor taste. Goodman, however, expressed discomfort over the harsh backlash against her, stating he was “surprised” by the network’s reaction and defended her character.
At the 2023 Monte-Carlo Television Festival, Goodman revisited this topic, saying he still remembers the public’s response to Barr and the discomfort it caused him. “I just feel terrible about the whole thing,” he admitted. Despite the past, Goodman expressed fondness for Barr, mentioning he misses her and wishes her well.
Though he cherishes their history, Goodman was less certain about collaborating with her again. “I don’t know,” he mused, reflecting on their complicated relationship.
The Conners concluded its run in April after seven successful seasons. The journey of these two actors showcases not just the ups and downs of friendships in Hollywood but also the shifting dynamics of entertainment in the digital age.