• Roseanne Barr looks more glamorous, John Goodman slimmer. But the mass-market plaid couch is a giveaway that ABC's Roseanne revival hasn't ditched its roots. The blue-collar Conner family and the times in which they live are at the heart of the sitcom debuting on Tuesday, as they were for the hit 1988-97 show inspired by Barr's stand-up comedy. The new Roseanne is part of a revival boom that includes Will & Grace and The X-Files. Tom Werner, a producer for both the original and new Roseanne series, says the prospect of updating the sitcom was exciting as long as the stories about a working-class family were relevant and authentic. The original cast is largely intact, including Goodman whose character, Dan, was revived after being killed off by a heart attack in the original final season. This time around, Barr's character is a President Donald Trump supporter, to the dismay of her sister. In January, Barr told television critics: "I have always attempted to portray a realistic portrait of the American people and of working-class people. ... And, in fact, it was working-class people who elected Trump. So I felt that was very real, and something that needed to be discussed," Barr said. If the nine-episode reboot proves popular, Barr and others have expressed enthusiasm for another season. Werner said he hopes the audience embraces what's key to the show, beyond punchlines and current events. It's "emotional," he said. "There are certainly some very painful moments which go along with the comedy."
• The boy band 'N Sync is finally reuniting -- but not for new music or a tour. The band is getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 30. Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpartrick will attend the event. 'N Sync released its self-titled debut album in the United States in 1998. The group's hits include "Bye, Bye, Bye," "It's Gonna Be Me" and "Pop." The fivesome famously reunited at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, where Timberlake received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. Anyone can nominate a celebrity for Walk of Fame star consideration. Selections are made by a Hollywood Chamber of Commerce committee. Walk of Fame honorees or their sponsors must pay $40,000 for each star granted.
A Section on 03/23/2018