PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE: AN EVENING WITH THE CAST OF ROSEANNE AND A SNEAK PREVIEW OF ALEX, INC. WITH ZACH BRAFF {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of evenings and special screenings presented at The Paley Center for Media in New York. This evening celebrates "Roseanne," the revival of the comedy series about Roseanne and Dan Conner, a working-class couple who live in Lanford, Illinois, and their three kids, D.J., Darlene, and Becky, which originally aired from 1988 to 1997. Also included is a sneak preview of the new comedy series "Alex, Inc." about first-time entrepreneur Alex Schuman, inspired by the story of the creation of the popular podcast channel Gimlet Media.
Host Rebecca Paller (curator, The Paley Center for Media) offers opening remarks and introduces the episode "Dress to Impress," which is then screened in its entirety. (For synopsis and credits, see ACCNUM 132359.)
After the screening, Kristen Baldwin (television critic, Entertainment Weekly) moderates the following panelists: executive producer Tom Werner; cast members/executive producers Roseanne Barr (Roseanne Conner) and Sara Gilbert (Darlene Conner-Healy); and cast members John Goodman (Dan Conner), Michael Fishman (D.J. Conner), Lecy Goranson (Becky Conner-Healy, also known as "First Becky"), and Sarah Chalke (Andrea and former "Second Becky").
The panelists touch on such topics as: Barr's longtime interest in returning to the show in a non-clip-show format; how Gilbert and Goodman's March 2017 conversation on Gilbert's daytime series "The Talk" encouraged the idea of the reboot; the show's renewed sense of timeliness in 2018; the other actors' memories of their positive reactions to hearing about the plan; Werner's interest in honoring the spirit of the original series, and why the show speaks to the national "wake-up call" of the 2016 Presidential election; Goranson and Chalke's first time shooting together and Barr's interest in finding a way to bring back both actors, despite the fact that they portrayed the same character in the original series; child actor Ames McNamara's strong audition and Goodman's sense of Dan's protectiveness over his grandson; the importance of "authenticity" in casting the new young actors; how former child stars Gilbert, Fishman and Goranson view their characters' new roles as adults and parents; a funny story about a prop stolen by Barr after the original series wrap; Goranson's praise for Gilbert's dual role as actor and executive producer; Barr's decision to bring back former executive producer/writer Bruce Helford, whom she fired in 1993; the actors' surreal experience of returning "home" to the series and memories of the first table read; Goranson and Fishman's praise for the "detailed, nuanced storylines" of their characters' adult lives; Gilbert's views on adult Darlene's personal struggles, financial and otherwise; Goodman's laidback reaction to the idea of "resurrecting" Dan, who was revealed to have died at the end of the original series; controversy surrounding the characters' current political views, and why Barr is not trying to "prove anything" with the writing choice; upcoming storylines involving "Big Pharma" and the opioid crisis; addressing serious issues with humor and honesty; the return of Johnny Galecki as Darlene's ex David Healy, and their failed attempts to secure an appearance from megastar George Clooney (Booker Brooks); hopes for additional episodes and future seasons; their first impressions of one another, including the story of the "original D.J." in the pilot episode, actor Sal Barone, who was quickly replaced by Fishman after clashing with Gilbert; Fishman's immediate admiration for his onscreen older sisters; Werner's praise for Barr's dramatic acting talents; favorite episodes, including the show's memorable Halloween specials, inspired by Barr's real-life love of the holiday; the network's early fear that Middle America would object to episodes about the "Satanic" holiday; "heavier" episodes concerning racism, depression and domestic violence; Barr's love of "The Fifties Show," the black-and-white 1995 episode featuring the Conners as a picture-perfect "Leave It to Beaver"-like family; and funny stories of forgetting lines, breaking character and enjoying Craft Services.
Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following topics, among others: a subplot involving Roseanne as an Uber driver, inspired by Barr's real-life sister; other returning cast members, including Estelle Parsons (Beverly Harris) and Sandra Bernhard (Nancy Bartlett); memorable fashion choices, including the "chicken shirt," a particularly ugly gift from a fan, and an extended inside joke about "Mr. Laughy," Fishman's vaudevillian alter ego; Chalke's embarrassing waitressing outfit and Goranson's 1990s "Mall Girl" clothes; Barr's ruthless approach to complaints about haircuts; their favorite Halloween costumes; how their acting talents have "deepened" since the original series; and the "kid" actors' gratitude towards their onscreen parents.
Next, Baldwin introduces the "Alex, Inc." series premiere, "The Unfair Advantage," which is then screened in its entirety. (For synopsis and credits, see ACCNUM 132889.)
After the screening, Chalke and former "Scrubs" co-star Zach Braff take the stage to discuss "Alex, Inc.," featuring Braff as executive producer, director and cast member (Alex Schuman). The conversation touches on such topics as: the series' backstory, inspired by entrepreneur and radio producer Alex Blumberg's creation of Gimlet Media, as documentad in his "audio reality show" entitled "StartUp"; venture investor Chris Sacca's appearance as himself in the pilot episode; Braff's interest in reuniting with former "Scrubs" writer Matt Tarses, now executive producer/creator writer of "Alex"; music by Braff's pal Joshua Radin, who also plays an interesting role in Chalke's personal life; Braff's search for a funny bilingual woman of color to play Alex's love interest, and eventual casting of Tiya Sircar; the decision to incorporate "savant" child actor Elisha Henig's (Ben Schuman) real-life guitar talents, inspired by "Scrubs" creator Bill Lawrence's habit of pulling from the actors' real lives; adding supporting cast members Hillary Anne Matthews (Deirdre) and Michael Imperioli (Eddie); memories of on-set laughter on "Scrubs"; ABC's fears about an inside joke on "Alex" regarding the superiority of "Second Becky," referring to Chalke's "Roseanne" character; the challenges of directing oneself; a funny story about an awkward moment during Braff's time in the stage musical "Bullets Over Broadway"; an unusual prop in "Garden State" (2004), written, directed by and starring Braff; Chalke's disastrous kissing scene during a stage play; the family-friendly tone of "Alex," compared to the more "risqué" nature of "Scrubs," which featured lots of romantic scenes between Chalke and Braff; and Braff's ideas for a "Canadian talk show" hosted by Ottawa native Chalke.
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: 7:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: N/A
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 132345
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- For "Roseanne":
- Rebecca Paller … Host
- Kristen Baldwin … Moderator
- Tom Werner … Panelist
- Sarah Chalke … Panelist
- Lecy Goranson … Panelist
- Michael Fishman … Panelist
- Sara Gilbert … Panelist
- John Goodman … Panelist
- Roseanne Barr … Panelist
- Sal Barone
- Sandra Bernhard
- George Clooney
- Johnny Galecki
- Bruce Helford
- Ames McNamara
- Estelle Parsons
- For "Alex, Inc.":
- Sarah Chalke … Moderator
- Zach Braff … Panelist
- Alex Blumberg
- Elisha Henig
- Michael Imperioli
- Bill Lawrence
- Joshua Radin
- Chris Sacca
- Tiya Sircar
- Matt Tarses