Fox News ‘Gutfeld!’ Fans Blast Network After Show Gets Pulled at Last Minute

Fox News YouTube
Fox News YouTube

Many Fox News viewers were furious on Tuesday night (February 11) after Greg Gutfeld‘s eponymous nightly show was bumped off the air for breaking news coverage.

Gutfeld!, which airs at 10 pm ET on weeknights, was pulled at the last minute on Tuesday night due to breaking news coverage of an American hostage release. Instead, yubi Sean Hannity covered the news of American schoolteacher Marc Fogel returning to Washington and meeting with President Donald Trump following his release from a Russian prison.

Fogel was arrested in August 2021 by Russian authorities for trying to enter the country with 17 grams of medical marijuana. He was later sentenced to 14 years in prison.

Gutfeld announced that his show wouldn’t be airing less than an hour before it was supposed to come on air. Taking to X, he wrote, “Gutfeld! will not air tonight due to breaking news coverage. For the latest, stay tuned to @FoxNews.”

Gutfeld! will not air tonight due to breaking news coverage. For the latest, stay tuned to @FoxNews

— Gutfeld! (@Gutfeldfox) February 12, 2025

 

A lot of viewers were frustrated with the news and took to social media to air their grievances, with one X user writing, “I know getting an American hostage back is FABULOUS NEWS but STOP with the repeat, repeat, repeat of Hannity. Put the DAMN GUTFELD SHOW ON ALREADY!!!”

Another felt similar frustration over Hannity taking over Gutfeld’s slot, stating, “Hey @seanhannity, Could you please shut up and let gutfeld show run? You ass! Every time. SMH. Fox is starting to really suck.”

“What the hell is Fox doing running an extra hour of Hannity? Nothing that can’t wait until tomorrow. I stay up and look forward to Gutfeld every night. It really pisses me off when the same news I listened to all day is again talked about,” said another. “Gregg, you should raise hell especially when your show was taped much earlier.”

Fox News

“@FoxNews stop preempting Gutfeld! For extra time with your worst show. This is not breaking news and Hannity sucks,” added another.

“JFC why do they ALWAYS take @Gutfeldfox off the air when stuff is happening?? I don’t want another damn hour of Hannity. I want my nightly fix of Gutfeld,” one fan wrote.

Another added, “Gutfeld should not be removed unless the world is ending. It’s the only reason I watch Fox this late.”

“I do not think this justifies 2 hours of Hannity @FoxNews I know it is good stuff, but @Gutfeldfox please,” said another.

“One hostage being released does not necessitate a full hour of “special coverage”. Fox News apparently doesn’t understand that Gutfeld is their most popular show and that people tune in at 10 o’clock to watch that, not repetitive “breaking news,”” added one commenter.

Another wrote, “Enough of this crap, Fox. Put Gutfeld show on another channel if you’re going to preempt him every damned night. We can get breaking news anywhere, and you repeat the same talking points or speculation for hour after hour.”

“Fox News, please stop pre-empting your best show, Gutfeld! with shows that can be shown an hour later anyway. Give us our funny, we already heard this news 4 hours ago,” said another.

Were you annoyed by Fox News bumping Gutfeld? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

How Much Do ‘The Voice’ Contestants & Coaches Get Paid?

Trae Patton / NBC

The Voice returned for its 27th season on February 3, once again raising questions about how much money contestants on the show actually make.

According to Newsweek, contestants who make it past the Blind Auditions are paid but not in the form of weekly paychecks. Instead, the contestants receive a living stipend to cover their room, board, food, and any travel expenses. The exact amount of this stipend has never been revealed, but Taste of Country, citing a no longer available New York Daily News article, states the amount is “small.”

To make matters worse, contestants are committed to the show while it is filming and that obviously limits their opportunities to make outside income from regular jobs or casual gigs. It would seem that contestants really are hoping that their time in the spotlight will lead to a life-changing career and give them tons of great memories from recording the show and hanging out with the coaches and other contestants.

This is much different from how things work on the rival competition show American Idol, where the Top 24 contestants sign up to become members of AFTRA so they can be paid a performance fee of $1,571 for two-hour performances, $1,303 for one-hour shows, yubi and $910 for half-hour results shows.

There is one Voice contestant who is paid, though, and that’s the eventual winner. The season champion receives $100,000 in addition to a recording contract. According to CinemaBlend, the prize money has remained the same since the show debuted in 2011.

While the contestants don’t receive payment, the exposure of being on national television can lead to lucrative outside deals and record contracts. For example, Morgan Wallen, who was eliminated in the playoffs, went on to sign with Big Loud. His most recent album, One Thing at a Time (2023), topped the Billboard 200 for 19 non-consecutive weeks and broke the record for most songs by an artist on the chart at one time with 36.

Other non-winning contestants who achieved success off the back of the show include Loren Allred (Season 3), who released the hit track “Never Enough,” which featured in The Greatest Showman, and Nicolle Galyon (Season 2), who went on to write songs for Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Lady A, Kenny Chesney, Florida Georgia Line, and RaeLynn.

As for the coaches, they are paid a salary, but the amounts vary based on their respective star power. According to StyleCaster.com, Michael Bublé, John Legend, and new coach Kelsea Ballerini are estimated to make around $13 million, while returning coach Adam Levine was previously reported to be making $14 million per season.

The highest-paid coach ever was Ariana Grande, per OK Magazine, who was said to be earning between $20 to $25 million during her time on the show. Former long-time coach Blake Shelton was said to be making around $13 million, while original coach Christina Aguilera was estimated to be paid around $17 million.

Will Donny Osmond Ever Retire? Singer Shares His Plans on ‘The View’

Donny Osmond Reveals When He’ll Retire on ‘The View’ (VIDEO)

ABC

Donny Osmond was the final guest on Thursday’s (March 13) episode of The View, promoting his Las Vegas residency show, and he found a lot of fans both in the audience and on the panel. (Sunny Hostin in particular was starstruck, and after she admitted she was a big Donny and Marie fan, he treated her to an impromptu rendition of “A Little Bit Country-A Little Bit Rock ‘N Roll.”) He also got an opportunity to reminisce about his 63 years in show business, explain how his new show honors all of his career achievements, and give viewers a hint about when he’s planning to hang up his proverbial hat.

“I don’t want to sound like it’s a nostalgic show. It’s six decades of show business in 90 minutes, so it goes from the beginning to the current and everything in between. I don’t know how I fit all six decades in the 90 minutes, but I did!” he explained.

He also explained how he’s been using artificial intelligence technology to bolster the show, explaining, “I had a hit called ‘Puppy Love’ back when I was 14 years old… And about the middle of the show, I’m standing there, the curtain opens up and there’s an AI version of me at 14. And we sing ‘Puppy Love’ together.” The computerized element, he said, brings his face onto the body of his grandson. “I’m looking into the eyes of myself 53 years ago, talking to him and singing with him… There’s a lot of negative things you can go down that path [with AI]. I look at the other glass, I look at the one that’s half full. And what I did with AI is I created entertainment. I recreated myself.”

He went onto announce that the show is getting an extension, saying, “We’re announcing right now, yubi we’re extending till the end of the year. You never know in show business what’s gonna happen. And I put everything into the show. I have the best in the business, the best dancers, the band, the crew. It’s just we’re having the time of our lives, and the audience is having a great time. What I find interesting is — because I really do spend a lot of time on social media — I find the demographics of the audience have become so wide and varied. I got a lot of young kids that know me from Mulan… So I find that the audience is expanding.”

Osmond eventually, when talking about the breadth of his career as a performer, broached the subject of when he might finally retire.

“I mean, let’s be honest, it’s inevitable… to retire. I love what I do. I really enjoy it. I’ve got a great job. My job is to make people happy. How can you complain about that? It’s a lot of work, and I put 100 percent into my show, but I still have a lot of fuel in this body,” he explained. “And because I’ve raised the bar so high for myself, the day that I can’t reach that bar and give 100 and 110 percent on stage is the day the curtain will not go up. It’s not around the corner, but it’s inevitable.”

.@DonnyOsmond looks back on his legendary career and tells us if he has any plans to step back from the industry anytime soon: “My job is to make people happy!” pic.twitter.com/ogL7Xr4hFy

— The View (@TheView) March 13, 2025

 

The View, weekdays, 11 a.m. ET, ABC

Whoopi Goldberg Sounds Off Against People Calling for ‘The View’ to Be Canceled

ABC

Whoopi Goldberg had something to say to those critics who have been calling for The View to be canceled because the cohosts consistently offer critiques of Donald Trump. Perhaps ironically, her message came at the tail end of a discussion in which they were expressing their discontent about someone on the opposite side of the political spectrum.

On Thursday’s (March 13) episode, the first “Hot Topic” of the day was California Governor Gavin Newsom‘s new podcast in which he welcomed “alt-right” MAGA personality Steve Bannon onto the show and had curious reactions to Bannon’s statements, such as “the process to unwind you from being a globalist,” “Trump won the 2020 election,” and calling Senator Elizabeth Warren “Pocahontas,” as Trump did.

Each of the panelists had their takeaways to share in the chat. Sara Haines said he didn’t “hit the right tone” by not pushing back on Bannon’s factually incorrect comment on the election or the racist nickname for Warren. She also guessed that Newsom was “trying to be friends” with his controversial guests like Bannon.

Joy Behar agreed “he should’ve countered” but said that Newsom’s listeners are likely to already know Bannon was incorrect about the 2020 election. And Sunny Hostin, who’d suggested Newsom’s name as a potential leader for the 2028 Democratic ticket, got particularly heated about it, saying, “I’m terribly disappointed. I think you meet energy with energy, and what he did was show his pretty white teeth and his cute face and did nothing other than that, and I think it’s despicable.”

When Alyssa Farah Griffin praised Newsom for taking on a debate with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and championed having “open-minded conversations” on podcasts, Goldberg responded with a rebuke of those who criticize the View team even though they do exactly that.

“We always say that because we have those conversations. People assume that we believe whatever they believe that we believe… People believe that they know everything I think and believe, they don’t. But one of the ways that you learn what people believe is to hear them talk,” Goldberg said. “People always say, ‘You should take The View off television.’ You know why? Because we give you an opportunity. We don’t tell you what to think. We say, ‘This is what I think!’ You know, Alyssa will say, ‘This is what I think.’ Joy says, ‘This is what I think.’ … And when we do that, that is how you have the dialog. It’s not personal. Sometimes somebody will say, ‘Well, that shirt looks a little tight on you, Whoopi.’ But that’s not a bad thing. But it becomes an awful thing when people become personal about you or your family. See, that’s the difference. We don’t do that here. Other people do it to us and would like to think that that’s what we’re doing to them, but we’re not… You can’t get out there calling names. Name-calling is not okay. And Gavin should know better.”

The View, Weekdays, 11 a.m. ET, ABC

Drew Carey Opens Up About His Love Life 5 Years After Ex-Fiancée Was Murdered

Sonja Flemming/CBS

Drew Carey is known to The Price is Right viewers as a happy-go-lucky, regular guy who always smiles and cracks jokes, but the beloved host has faced his fair share of struggles over the years, and has been open about his mental health.

In a new interview with Us Weekly, Carey opened up about his love life, yubi how he doesn’t date, and learning to move on following the tragic death of his former fiancée, Amie Harwick, who was murdered by an ex-boyfriend in 2020.

Carey said he thinks about Harwick “every day,” revealing, “Her death still affects me and my ideas about relationships and intimacy. It was all damaged by first our breakup, and then, the day before she died, when she texted me.”

The comedian explained how he and Harwick went through a “really bad” but “necessary” breakup. “I couldn’t think about her or see a picture of her. I didn’t want to be reminded,” he shared. “And then I got a text from her out of the blue. She said, ‘Hey, it’s Amie. I’ve been thinking a lot about forgiveness. I would love to get together with you and talk about some things.’”

Carey said he texted her “that I loved her” and agreed to meet up with her the following week. “I heard from one of her friends that she shed tears about my saying that I loved her still. Which I did. I loved her madly even though we were broken up,” he stated.

Drew Carey and Amie Harwick Getty Images

Unfortunately, Carey and Harwick never got to reconcile, as the next day, she was murdered.

“It destroyed me for a while,” Carey said, admitting, “I still don’t date. I have women I go out with and spend time with, but it’s all platonic, and I don’t care about anything else. Amie’s death really affected everything.”

The Drew Carey Show star explained how Harwick’s funeral and connecting with her friends and family helped with the healing process. “We held each other up through the funeral and the trial [of Harwick’s ex-boyfriend Gareth Pursehouse, who was convicted of killing her],” he said. “Now Amie’s memory and the things she lived for keep us going.”

Before his relationship with Harwick, Carey dated Nicole Jaracz, whom he proposed to in 2007. However, they never got married, calling off their engagement and separating in 2012. While Carey has never had kids of his own, he was a proud stepfather to Jaracz’s son, Connor, whom she had from a previous relationship. Carey has remained a presence in Connor’s life since the breakup.

He’s also a godfather, telling Us, “I have this great female friend group that I cherish, and I’m godfather to several sets of kids from the group. We hang out together, went on vacation together and we talk to each other every day. That’s the biggest blessing in my life right now.”

The Price Is Right, Weekdays, 11/10c, CBS

[SURPRISE] Trisha Yearwood Gets Candid About Happy’s Place Reba McEntire’s TRUE self

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Trisha Yearwood & Reba McEntire Get Candid About Their Long-Lasting Friendship

Trisha Yearwood received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Monday (March 24), and she used the special moment to speak about her close friendship with Reba McEntire.

During her speech, the three-time Grammy winner revealed how McEntire was the first person in the industry to show her kindness, noting a significant act from the Queen of Country at an award show many years ago that touched her heart.

“The first artist that was so kind to me at an award show was Reba McEntire, who just exemplifies friendship and class,” Yearwood said, per People.

“She sent me flowers at my first award show when no one even knew I was in the dressing room and I thought they were from my mom and dad,” she continued. “And then I saw that they were from Reba, and I’m like, ‘Oh okay.’ And I am so blessed that you and I have become more than just colleagues that get to see each other, but friends that get to hang out.”

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Yearwood rose to fame with her 1991 debut single “She’s in Love with the Boy” and went on to become one of the best-selling and most popular country artists of all time. She collaborated with McEntire on the 1995 single “On My Own” alongside Linda Davis and Martina McBride.

After talking up her friendship with The Voice coach, Yearwood said there is a “misconception” about women in country music, specifically the idea that they’re all bitter rivals.

“The truth is, we’re all cheering for each other and with each other,” she said. “Just as an example, these girls, from every generation of country music, we’re all for each other.”

McEntire then took to the podium, where she told the audience how she first met Yearwood at the ACM Awards. “I came by and sat with you and your mom… I sat there with you, and I thought, ‘I love her already, she’s sitting with her mom,’” she shared. “Because my mom and I were real close just like you and your mom, and your dry wit sense of humor won my heart.”

She added, “Our friendship throughout the years means the world to me because girls out on the road need a buddy. We are in the country music business where girls stick together, we have fun together, we complain and gripe to each other because you can’t do that with anybody else. Nobody else understands.”

“I love you with all my heart, congratulations,” McEntire concluded.

[VERY SAD] John Goodman shares some UNFORTUNATE NEWS about ‘The Conners’, ABC declined to comment

John Goodman Says The Conners ‘May Be Coming to an End’ With Season 6

John Goodman’s days playing Dan Conner may be numbered. In a new interview, the Conners patriarch suggests that Season 6 of the Roseanne spinoff could be its last.

“I think we may be coming to an end on it, I’m not sure,” he tells France 24. “It’s lasted longer than I thought we would. It was just supposed to be like an eight [episode] show and out thing at one point, but they picked us up again, and they keep picking us up.”

ABC declined to comment, but a network insider tells TVLine that there have been no conversations about the spinoff ending with Season 6.

In its recently concluded fifth season, The Conners averaged 5 million total viewers and a 0.7 demo rating (with Live+7 playback), up 6 percent in viewers and off just a tenth in the demo from its Season 4 numbers. Out of the five sitcoms that ABC has aired during the 2022-23 broadcast season, it ranks No. 1 in total audience and trails only Abbott Elementary in the demo.

Speaking to TVLine in anticipation of the Season 5 finale and a Season 6 pickup, executive producer Bruce Helford surmised that the Roseanne offshoot was nearing its end.

“Sara Gilbert expressed to the network that we don’t want to go out without knowing that we are going out with a series finale so we can build to the right ending — and at this point in time, we feel that [next season] is possibly going to be the last season of The Conners,” he said. “I would not [say that] definitively because the numbers were so good this season, and we’ve all had a really great time… but it’s definitely a possibility.”

The Conners

What Happened to David on The Conners?

The Conners rose from the ashes of the Roseanne revival in October 2018, yubi and has continued to chronicle the daily lives of the eponymous working-class family, including Dan (Goodman), Jackie (Laurie Metcalf), Darlene (Sara Gilbert), Becky (Lecy Goranson), Harris (Emma Kenney), Mark (Ames McNamara) and Mary (Jayden Rey).

Rounding out the ensemble are Jay R. Ferguson as Darlene’s husband Ben, and recurring guest stars Katey Sagal and Nat Faxon as Dan and Jackie’s spouses Louise and Neville, respectively.

The Sad Reason John Goodman Decided To Lose 200-Pounds

John Goodman’s weight loss journey was a slow and steady process, focusing on the right diet and exercise plan.
The actor made significant lifestyle changes to prioritize his health after struggling with weight fluctuations in the past.
Goodman’s incredible transformation, shedding over 200 lbs, is a testament to his commitment and consistency over several years.

The iconic John Goodman has one of Hollywood’s most underrated careers. Though his journey to acting was unconventional, Goodman has thrived for decades. From his countless iconic roles, to his stellar voice work with Pixar, Goodman has seen and done it all, and has had a good time while doing so.

After spending years in the public spotlight, John Goodman decided to make a change, and the world has taken note of his incredible weight loss. For the bulk of his career, he was a large guy, but the slimmed-down actor tried losing weight countless times, only for things to regress.

So, how did John Goodman shed the weight and keep it off this time around? A slow and steady process, yubi coupled with the right diet and exercise plan, played a pivotal role in Goodman turning his health around.

John Goodman Couldn’t Look At Himself In The Mirror During His Weight Gain

What a difference finding the right method makes!

Legendary actor, John Goodman, had been a larger guy for many years

“I know it sounds sappy, but it was a waste. It takes a lot of creative energy to sit on your ass and figure out what you’re going to eat next,” Goodman said of his weight in a 2007 interview.

But in recent years, Goodman has turned a corner, and has taken hold of his health. The media has taken note of his incredible physical transformation. It’s all thanks to finding the diet and exercise routine that worked best for him.

When talking with Peter Travers, Goodman opened up about his previous bad habits, and how it affected his view of himself.

“Then this time I wanted to do it slowly, move, exercise. I’m getting to the age where I can’t afford to sit still anymore. And it gives me the energy to work, ‘cause work is very draining,” the actor said.

“I just got tired, sick and tired of looking at myself. You’re shaving in the mirror and you don’t want to look at yourself. It gets dangerous,” Goodman added.

In a conversation with Rolling Stone promoting The Righteous Gemstones, Goodman talked about the physical activities he used to slim down.

“That was just getting out and walking the dogs. I was boxing up until then, and I haven’t been able to do that since Covid because I’m lazy. I haven’t been exercising, but I’m going to start a routine again this summer where I can get some stuff done. I’ve just let everything go just because I haven’t had the energy because of the jobs,” he said.

As for his diet, it was revealed in 2015 that Goodman was using the Mediterranean diet, which focuses on veggies, seafood, and legumes.

The combination of these two factors, as well as Goodman’s consistency, has helped him shed more than 200 lbs.

For Goodman this is incredible, as the actor revealed that he would yo-yo his weight in his younger days.

Goodman Had Difficulty Maintaining Weight Loss In The Past, But Finally Found Something That Worked For Him

According to Goodman himself, “I just stopped eating all the time. I’d have a handful of food and it’d go to my mouth. I was just eating all the time. I was just eating alcoholically. In the old days, I would take three months out, lose 60 or 70 pounds, and then reward myself with a 6-pack of bud or whatever and just go back to my old habits.”

“Alchoholically” is of note here, as Goodman has struggled with alcoholism for some time now. He even compared his eating to his drinking.

“I think you’re trying to fill a hole that can’t be filled unless it’s filled with goodness, some kind of spirituality, not saying religion,” he explained. “But just a belief in something higher than yourself, a purpose. But instead of filling it with booze or cocaine or food, you just acknowledge that it’s there. You can’t fill it. And you go on and live with it,” he told Peter Travers.

It’s truly incredible to see what Goodman was able to accomplish, and more importantly, he was able to stick to it. It was a slow process for Goodman, one that took place over the course of several years. This helped ensure that his method would stick.

With a new lease on life, Goodman is thriving, both personally and professionally. He is still doing consistent film and television work, most notably The Conners and The Righteous Gemstones, both of which have massive followings.

In a time when people want things faster than ever, John Goodman’s weight loss journey is proof that all paths are worth walking, regardless of the speed it takes to get to the end of the road.

Shifting Gears Season 2 Could Introduce One Unseen But Important Character, Says EP

Shifting Gears season 2 might introduce one character that hasn’t been seen yet but is still important, reveals executive producer Michelle Nader. The biggest idea tying the characters of Shifting Gears together is family, with the most obvious connection being Matt (Tim Allen) taking his daughter, Riley (Kat Dennings), and her children into his home. So far, the biggest character with familial connections to appear has been Jimmy (Lucas Neff), yubi who is still trying to win back his ex-wife’s affections despite her decision to divorce him in the season finale.

Speaking with TVLine, however, Nader confirmed plans for Shifting Gears season 2 to introduce Sam, Matt’s son and Riley’s brother, who’s been mentioned throughout the sitcom. The executive producer explained what role he would have in the series, including what his interactions with his family and those around him would be like. Check out what Nader had to say about Sam’s possible introduction below:

We hope to introduce Sam in Season 2. We think he will be another fun casting opportunity and a great character for everyone to complain to!

What Sam’s Arrival Would Mean For Shifting Gears Season 2

Another Family Member Adding To The Comedy

Although Shifting Gears season 2 hasn’t been confirmed as of writing, the show has already laid the groundwork for an interesting follow-up. This includes Riley’s decision not only to divorce Jimmy, but also try to start a relationship with Gabriel (Seann William Scott), who wants to wait for the right time. Meanwhile, Matt discovers his business rival, Eve (Jenna Elfman), actually has feelings for him, kissing him in the season finale. With charged emotions already abuzz, Sam’s introduction could shake everything up even more.

Not much is known about Sam outside of the several times he’s been mentioned throughout the show, meaning he can be a unique voice among the series’ established characters. Even though Shifting Gears‘ reception has been mixed, the show’s popularity emphasizes how a new face can continue its trend of offering new elements that shake up established ideas. This can especially be the case for season 2, since new relationships and conflicts have already been established. Sam’s involvement can be the perfect way of bolstering these ideas with a fresh perspective.

Our Take On Sam’s Introduction In Shifting Gears Season 2

It’s A Sensible Path For The Series To Take

What Sam’s exact role in the sitcom would be remains unknown, but his introduction can help expand the Parker family with new history and funny situations between him and Riley. Sibling interactions can help make Shifting Gears season 2 stand out, as their dynamic is bound to be different from the one she has with every other character in the show. Since the groundwork has already been laid for Sam to show up, it would be fitting for him to arrive as so many new life changes are happening for his father and sister.

All episodes of Shifting Gears are now streaming on Hulu.

Source: TVLine

(Exclusive) ‘The Conners’ Bosses reveals the plot of the newest installment of Season 7

‘The Conners’ Bosses on Dan & Jackie’s Roseanne Lawsuit Feud, Zoe Perry’s Guest Role & More Season 7 Premiere Moments (Exclusive)

‘The Conners’ Bosses on Dan & Jackie’s Roseanne Feud & More Season 7 Premiere Moments

Spoiler Alert

Disney / Christopher Willard

[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for The Conners Season 7 Episode 1, “It’s Gonna Be A Great Day.”]

The Conners are back and at odds as Dan (John Goodman) and Jackie (Laurie Metcalf) can’t see eye-to-eye when the chance to sue big pharma for Roseanne’s (Roseanne Barr) death comes around in the Season 7 premiere, “It’s Gonna Be A Great Day,” and that’s just one of the various plotlines introduced in the installment.

As fans know, this seventh and final season will deliver a more concentrated story with six episodes, which executive producer Bruce Helford says “are like a miniseries.” He notes that “these story arcs will be the run through [the season],” adding that “other things will come up that will also raise heads along the way.”

The premiere episode sees Jackie inform the family that a new court ruling gives them the option of pursuing a lawsuit for Roseanne’s death, but Dan is not eager to open that can of worms. Either way, yubi the introduction of the plot point certainly brings things full circle as The Conners debuted in 2018 with the death of Roseanne.

Disney / Christopher Willard

“It was very natural and gave us a way to honor the memory of the matriarch of the family,” Helford adds, noting that the Supreme Court’s ruling that opioid companies would have to face individual lawsuits was part of what inspired the storyline this season. “Despite the things that went on, [Roseanne] was beloved by her family, by viewers, and we really wanted to make sure that there was an appropriate inclusion.”

“It also just fed into the themes that we love to write about, which are the big guys versus the little guys,” executive producer Dave Caplan adds. “And the Connors are little guys, and they get what rolls downhill, but not much makes it to the bottom of the hill. And so another opportunity to explore that was kind of irresistible to us.”

As mentioned above, Dan is reluctant to go down that road after barely recovering from the loss of Roseanne. “Going through the experience for Dan is a real roller coaster for him. And we’re definitely going to see some emotional fireworks,” Caplan teases.

While Jackie may be pushing the lawsuit on Dan, she’s also exploring the idea of rejoining the police force, “Have you ever seen Jackie make a good decision? No,” Helford says jokingly.

Disney / Christopher Willard

“But also, you get to a certain point in your life and you want to close some loops and check off some boxes. And the way she left the police department has been bugging her ever since,” Caplan points out. A run-in with a local officer played by Metcalf’s real-life daughter and Young Sheldon vet Zoe Perry isn’t so convinced Jackie’s up for the task of rejoining the force.

“It was so much fun to watch them play off of each other,” Caplan gushes. “I actually think they might be different kinds of actors, but there’s such innate chemistry there that those scenes could have gone on forever, and we would’ve been happy. They were really funny together.” The conversation between Jackie and the officer gets a little physical when they engage in an arm-wrestling match, which isn’t really a fair fight as Jackie loses immediately.

“They cracked each other up,” Helford notes.

Caplan adds, “The two of them together, that’s probably a series.”

Meanwhile, the premiere episode also checked in on the various couples at the heart of the show, with Darlene (Sara Gilbert) finding frustration over Ben’s (Jay R. Ferguson) lack of availability as he settles his magazine in Lanford. “Ben has unfinished business with figuring out what his legacy is going to be and what’s going to be fulfilling to him. And so he’s definitely on a journey,” teases Caplan. “And when your partner’s on a journey that you’re not necessarily on, it can pose some challenges.”

When it comes to Darelene’s sister Becky (Lecy Goranson), the issues are sort of the opposite as she and Tyler (Sean Astin) try and show their affection for one another through grand gestures like baking quiches. However, as Becky tries to finish her degree, she needs to dedicate some of her time elsewhere besides fawning over Tyler. “The most interesting part of the relationship to write about is that part right after the honeymoon. So coming off of the fantasy and into the reality of what a long-term relationship’s going to be, it’s got its peaks and valleys to it. So we have to see how they navigate having a more mature relationship going forward,” Caplan shares.

But more interestingly, Dan is facing his own conundrum in his relationship with Louise (Katey Sagal), who supports his feelings about the potential Roseanne lawsuit. “It really is a rock and a hard place spot for his new wife to find the appropriate place,” Helford says of Louise’s role this season. “And so I think that’s really interesting what we go through with them.”

“You think about how much Connors history there is before Louise even gets there, and then not to have had those experiences with them, but still be supportive and fit in… It’s a big challenge for somebody like Louise,” Caplan teases. And as Helford notes, “she’s not a woman who sits quietly… she will speak her mind.”

Only time will tell where her mind will go surrounding this predicament, but for now, a lot has been set up in the season premiere. What did you think of the latest episode? Sound off in the comments section below, and stay tuned for more on The Conners as Season 7 unfolds on ABC.

The Conners, Wednesdays, 8/7c, ABC