How Roseanne Was Written Off in ‘The Conners’ Premiere

We finally know how Roseanne (Roseanne Barr) was written off in the "Roseanne" spin-off “The Conners."

Warning: Spoilers Ahead

In the October 16 premiere episode, it is revealed that the family matriarch died. At first, the family believes it was a heart attack, but later learns it was an opioid overdose.

Roseanne recently received painkillers following a knee surgery, but Dan (John Goodman) flushed them. He later learns she obtained replacement pills from several people, and had bottles hidden around the house.

Barr reacted to the episode on Twitter, writing, writing, "I AIN'T DEAD, B**CHES!!!!"

She later released a statement with her friend Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, calling Roseanne's overdose "grim and morbid" and adding, "'Roseanne' was the only show on television that directly addressed the deep divisions threatening the very fabric of our society. Specifically, the show promoted the message that love and respect for one another's personhood should transcend differences in background and ideological discord. The show brought together characters of different political persuasions and ethnic backgrounds in one, unified family, a rarity in modern American entertainment."

Goodman previously hinted that Roseanne would be killed off. In August, he told the British newspaper The Times, “I guess he'll be mopey and sad because his wife's dead.”

ABC canceled the “Roseanne” revival in May following a controversial tweet by star and executive producer Barr. “The Conners” spin-off was announced weeks later, and the network confirmed Barr would not be involved.