“The Conners” Won’t Shy Away from the Realities of the Coronavirus Pandemic

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As Hollywood devises clever ways to work around filming during the coronavirus pandemic, one show currently in production is tackling the subject head on. When ABC’s The Conners returns on October 21, expect it to deal, like mother-ship Roseanne did in its initial run, with real social issues currently facing so many Americans. In its past two seasons the Conner family has remained united amidst such adversities as the loss of Roseanne, single parenthood, immigration, financial crises and family pressures, all with a keen insight into how most families live. And plenty of laughs, too.

Given the current state of global affairs, taking on the pandemic and focusing on a family quarantining together seemed natural. “The Conners were built for disaster,” said series executive producer Bruce Helford earlier this week during a virtual panel with television journalists to promote the show’s upcoming third season. “We've been following their lives and trials through all the things that have been going on since the ‘80s.” It’s natural, he added, that the show would address life during the pandemic.

“I know there are a lot of shows that probably aren't going to be reflecting what’s going on,” Helford continued. “But we felt that it was an obligation to our viewers to stay relevant and show them what it's like for a family that knows how to get through hard times. But [the pandemic] has thrown a curve like never before.”

The Conner family survived their biggest curve ball when the reboot of Roseanne was canceled in 2018 after a short run -- ended by the unceremonious

Steve Gidlow

Steve Gidlow, a long-time columnist for MediaVillage ("Behind the Scenes in Hollywood"), has written about television and pop culture since 1994, beginning in Australia.  Since moving to Hollywood in 1997, Steve has focused on celebrity interv… read more