Jimmy Kimmel reimagined Roseanne without Roseanne, and it’s genius

By now, you’ve undoubtedly heard the news about the Roseanne reboot — that ABC has canceled its highest-rated show after star Roseanne Barr tweeted a reprehensible and racist tweet about former Obama-era White House aid Valerie Jarrett. Justice was swift, and the network — as well as a number of Barr’s castmates — made it clear they would not stand for bigotry or intolerance in any form.

And an unfortunate, albeit necessary, part of that justice means that Barr’s fellow cast and crew — most of whom do not share her beliefs in any way — are out of a job next year. However,  Jimmy Kimmel, another ABC star‚ may have a solution. He thinks the show can go on — just without Roseanne. During the May 29th episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live, the late-night host outlined his idea for Dan, a show that still focuses on the trials and tribulations of the Conner family, sans one particular member.

And, uh, this is actually genius.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12m1rG0Tj7U?feature=oembed

"Just because Roseanne is gone, it doesn't mean the whole show has to go. The show must go on," Kimmel says. "That's what we say in show business."

While the idea is admittedly hilarious, we doubt Dan could ever genuinely become a reality. Barr is one of the key creators of the show’s original concept, and taking the show off the air sends a key and necessary message about the repercussions of intolerance.

While we of course feel for all the actors and crew who don’t in any way share Barr’s views and are now out of work, we’re ultimately heartened that we’re at a point in time when racist, discriminatory comments aren’t tolerated. In the long run, this is a huge step forward.