ABC considering making Roseanne without Roseanne

The network has apparently 'not exactly washed its hands of the family comedy'

(ABC)

Roseanne was swiftly and unequivocally cancelled following star Roseanne Barr's racist tweet earlier this week, but it's possible the show might stagger back to its feet minus its head.

'There could be a scenario in the works where ABC salvages significant parts of Roseanne without having to say goodbye to some of the best actors on television,' Entertainment Weekly reports, claiming that ABC 'has not exactly washed its hands of the family comedy'.

The show's comeback featured a wealth of acting talent including Laurie Metcalf and John Goodman and posted very strong ratings, so it would make sense for the network to want to salvage it somehow without the offending protagonist.

The problem is that Roseanne was created by Roseanne Barr and she conceived the characters. ABC may be able to continue without her, but, as EW points out, Barr would benefit financially, which may be bad PR for the network.

ABC had previously ordered 13 new episodes of Roseanne, and in spite of the cancellation several of the show's writers will remain at ABC.

Yesterday, John Goodman reacted to the cancellation news, or rather declined to.

“I'd rather say nothing than to cause more trouble," he told ET News.