Worlds will collide next month when Candice Bergen guest stars on an episode of the ABC comedy seriesThe Conners. Back in the late ’80s and early ’90s, the small screen was shared by the classic comediesRoseanneandMurphy Brownwith the two shows premiering just a matter of months apart. That makes it fitting for Bergen, who starred as the titular journalist for all eleven seasons onMurphy Brown, to cross over for a guest role on theRoseannesequel series.
OnThe Conners, Bergen will play Barb, mother of Ben (Jay R. Ferguson), with their relationship best described as cool. Per Deadline, the character is also described as someone who “has a superior air and a sharp tongue, but she’s much more agreeable when she’s had a few drinks. She’s judgmental about Ben’s relationship with Darlene (Sara Gilbert), and describes the Conner house as, ‘Like one of those places they break into on that programCops.'”
The Connersis a sequel series to arebooted version of Roseanne. In 2018,Roseannereturned for a revival, bringing back Roseanne Barr as the titular housewife along with John Goodman and the rest of the Conner family actors. The reboot was a big success, earning praise critically and scoring high viewership. Plans were put into motion at ABC for more episodes to be made when some controversial tweets from Barr led to her firing from the show, resulting in the network killing off her character and moving forward withThe Conners.
Now,The Conners is in the midst of its third seasonand is still enjoying great success, serving as the highest-rated comedy on ABC. Along with Goodman, the series stars Sara Gilbert, Laurie Metcalf, Lecy Goranson, Michael Fishman, Emma Kenney, Ames McNamara, Jayden Rey, and Maya Lynne Robinson. The show follows the family as they face the sudden loss of the Conner matriarch, forced to face the daily struggles of life in ways they never have before.
LikeRoseanne,Murphy Brownwas also given a revival series withCandice Bergenreturning to the lead role. Premiering on CBS in 2018, the reboot followed Murphy Brown after she begins heading the morning news showMurphy in the Morning. Unfortunately, the series didn’t draw the same levels of viewership asThe Connersand was ultimately canceled after a single season. Despite the disappointing reception, the revival brought about critical acclaim for Bergen, putting her up for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a TV Series Musical or Comedy.
Time will tell ifThe Connersmanages to reach nine seasons like the original run ofRoseanne, but as of now, the show is definitely on track to do just that. You can catch Bergen on the show when her episode airs on ABC on Jan. 13 at 9/8c. For more from Bergen, she also stars alongside Meryl Streep and Gemma Chan in the new Steven Soderbergh dramaLet Them All Talk, which premiered on HBO Max earlier this month. This news was first reported byDeadline.
