The fate of The Conners season 5 is reportedly undecided at ABC. A continuation of the popular sitcom Roseanne, which aired from 1988 to 1997 and then returned for a brief revival in 2018, The Conners begins its story following the death of matriarch Roseanne Conner. Living in the fictional setting of Lanford, each member of the titular family has their own struggles and triumphs to contend with, but they’re all supportive of each other when it counts - even if they do frequently lock heads and get into fights. John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert, Lecy Goranson, and other stars reprised their Roseanne roles for the spinoff.
The Conners season 4 began with a significant shift for major characters, featuring the wedding of Dan (Goodman) and Louise (Katey Sagal). Since then, the show has delved into the issues between Darlene (Gilbert) and Harris (Emma Kenney), in addition to the unease of Becky (Goranson) as she steps back into the dating scene. And, on a more serious front, Goranson recently wrote a The Conners episode devoted to gun violence. But as the show looks ahead to its future, season 5 remains unconfirmed.
Now, a new report from THR notes that a renewal for The Conners season 5 could “go either way.” This puts it in line with fellow-ABC sitcom Home Economics. But the rest of the network’s comedies, including Abbott Elementary, The Goldbergs, and The Wonder Years, are all listed as “slamdunks to return” or "leaning towards a return." Still, there are positive indicators for the spinoff.
The report notes that veteran shows, even ones that are on the bubble, have an easier path to renewal than a new drama or comedy because of the marketing costs associated with promoting a new series. The Conners was in a tie for ABC's second-highest-rated comedy back in December, garnering more than 5 million total viewers. While it’s true that The Conners is down overall from where it was in its first few seasons, these stats could ensure that the spinoff is renewed for another batch of episodes.
It’s also worth noting that, while traditional ratings are still important (particularly in the case of network television), it doesn’t always account for the many ways that fans watch their favorite programs in an era of streaming. It remains to be seen whether The Conners is brought back for another run, with news likely coming in the next weeks and months. And while this report makes clear things are currently uncertain, there are reasons to believe that the show isn’t over just yet.
Source: THR
