They say life imitates art, and in last Tuesday night’s revival/television premiere of, "Roseanne," it portrayed what a politically divided American household looks like. 18.2 million viewers tuned in for the one-hour blockbuster premiere, making it the highest-rated premiere in ABC network's history. Since we now live in a world of DVR’s, "Roseanne" premiere now pulled in an astonishing 21.9 million viewers. With numbers so impressively high, ABC has renewed "Roseanne" for another season.

"Roseanne" seems to hold promise with its solid ratings, but can statements and accusations that the co-creator and star have stated be forgotten as they begin to resurface?

The 'Roseanne' revival plot

Ever since the public was aware of the reboot of the beloved 1988 sitcom starring the original cast, everyone has been wondering one thing. How were the writers going to answer the death of husband and family man, Dan Conner (John Goodman)? During the series finale in 1997, it was revealed while Roseanne was writing her book, her husband passed away of a heart attack the day of their daughter’s wedding. Everything that took place after the event was fictional.

Flash forward 20 years later, the opening scene shows Roseanne and a very much alive Dan Conner in bed. Roseanne made a joke stating how he looked dead, and her husband answered her, “Why does everybody always think I’m dead?” Later in the episode, the viewers learned that Dan Conner never died, it was all a story in her novel.

The show quickly heated up with politics and did not hold anything back. Staying true to who the character is based on, Roseanne Conner is a Trump supporter. This should come as no real surprise, due to Roseanne Barr publicly supporting Donald Trump all through the election, leading up to his presidency.

Sisters, Jackie and Roseanne, had not talked since the election when Senator Hillary Clinton surprisingly lost to Donald Trump.

The feud resulted in Roseanne claiming that Jackie was dead to her, and going as far as making a shrine. In all efforts to reunite the two sisters once more, Darlene invited Jackie over for the first time since the election.

Jackie appeared in a ‘Nasty Woman’ t-shirt, a saying that was widely used during Hillary Clinton’s campaign.

The two sisters exchanged insults used by Republicans, such as ‘deplorable’ and ‘snowflake,’ but ultimately the two ceased their fighting in the end. In the premiere episode, Darlene (Roseanne’s daughter) moved back home to Lanford with her two children, stating that she moved back to take care of her mother and father. Though in reality, she was forced to move back home, because she lost her job and had nowhere else to go. A problem many Americans are facing today.

The highlights and the controversies

When Jackie asks Roseanne why did she vote for Trump, Roseanne stated it was because of the promise of jobs. The lack of jobs in America concerned many working families across the nation. The constant worrying about paying rent or mortgage, providing food and clothing, or simply paying bills distressed millions of Americans.

When Donald Trump stated he could solve the unemployment rate, reopen closed factories, and bring back manufacturing companies from overseas, it sounded alluring. Though in 2018, Trump still has not fulfilled any of his promises.

Even though the show clearly stated their favor for Trump, it did have a very proactive message. Darlene’s son is a boy, who enjoys dressing in fashions that are target marketed for girls. Roseanne and Dan were clearly uneasy for they felt it was odd, but they respected their daughter’s wishes to allow him to express himself. Roseanne herself accepts her grandson’s way of dressing feminine after learning the reason why.

"Roseanne" addressed flaws within the healthcare system.

“Funny story,” says Dan,“ our insurance don’t cover what it used to so I got half the drugs for twice the price.” Dan drops a brown paper bag on the kitchen table filled with prescription pill bottles. A scenario that hits home for a lot of Americans, who need prescription pills in order to survive but cannot afford to do so.

Is America too divided to watch 'Roseanne'

Roseanne Barr has faced many controversies, and Donald Trump is congratulating himself on behalf of the shows 18.2 million viewers, does not help. I tried watching the "Roseanne" reboot with a very open mind. I did not want to be closed or narrow-minded, and I truly wanted it to be exactly like how it was in the 1990’s, but it was not. That's when I remembered, "Roseanne" was traditionally known for heated topics, and why did I expect the reboot to be anything less? That is what made the show so compelling in the first place.
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