Comedian Roseanne Barr has revealed that her former on-screen husband and co-star, John Goodman, declined an invitation to appear in her new independent sitcom, Meemaw: A Modern Day Fable. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter published on October 20, the 73-year-old comedian shared that efforts to stage a mini-reunion were unsuccessful and that she and Goodman no longer communicate.
According to Barr, her son reached out to Goodman directly to request a cameo appearance in the single-camera production. However, the request was turned down. When asked about her current standing with Goodman and other alumni from the hit 1990s ABC series Roseanne, Barr stated plainly that they are no longer in contact.
The Long-Standing Rift Following the 2018 Controversy
Barr and Goodman famously spent 10 seasons portraying working-class married couple Roseanne and Dan Conner. They originally starred on the show from 1988 to 1997, later returning for a widely watched revival season on ABC in 2018.
The revival came to an abrupt halt in May 2018 when ABC canceled the show following a controversial tweet posted by Barr concerning former Obama administration adviser Valerie Jarrett. The network condemned the remarks, prompting Barr to delete the post and issue public apologies, though she later maintained the message was not racially motivated.
While ABC pivoted by launching the spin-off series The Conners-which ran for seven seasons until 2025 without Barr-the original cast fractured. Goodman addressed his estrangement from Barr in a 2025 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, noting that they had not spoken in roughly seven or eight years and expressing doubt that Barr wished to communicate. Despite their distance, Goodman has previously defended Barr’s character in past media interviews, emphasizing fond memories of working together.
Inside Barr’s New Project, Meemaw
Barr is currently seeking a distributor for Meemaw: A Modern Day Fable, an eight-episode independent sitcom that she financed alongside private investors, including Just the News founder John Solomon. The project features a distinct ensemble cast, including Randy Quaid, Drea de Matteo, Jon Lovitz, and comedian Tony Hinchcliffe.
In the show, Barr portrays a patriotic grandmother navigating family dynamics and local conflicts. Despite casting several figures known for right-leaning political views or controversy, Barr insists the series will satirize a broad spectrum of cultural targets rather than a single political demographic.
Efforts to secure major distribution have faced hurdles. Barr noted in her recent interview that she reached out to Tesla and X owner Elon Musk regarding the project, but has not received a response.
Current Status of Past Relationships
Reflecting on her decades-long career and the fallout from the 2018 cancellation, Barr expressed heartbreak over the loss of professional relationships she once viewed as family. Aside from her estrangement from Goodman, Barr remains disconnected from other former co-stars, including Laurie Metcalf and Sara Gilbert.
As Meemaw continues its search for a broadcast home, Barr remains focused on self-funded creative ventures and connecting with audiences through her ongoing podcast and stand-up comedy engagements.
