A tribute to an episode of the ’90s sitcom is among the more confusing displays at this year’s fan convention.
San DiegoComic-Coninches further away from its purest comic book and sci-fi roots each year with the inclusion of shows and movies spanning every genre, but one showcase at this year’s fan event was particularly head-scratching: a tribute to 1990s sitcomRoseanne, starring controversial comedianRoseanne Barr.
Outside the convention center where the bulk of panels take place during the four-day event, there are activations industry speak for brand promotional displays that pop up all over the neighborhood.
The entrance of the Lanford Days activation at San Diego Comic-Con.Jillian Sederholm
There are activations forJurassic Park, NBC’sQuantum Leap,Disney’sHaunted Mansionmovie, and even a celebration of the 25th anniversary ofThat ’70s Show.
But while the latter nearlyerased the presence of problematic star Danny Masterson, several blocks up the street Cozi TV was fully leaning into another with its ode to Barr, who just last month had apodcast episode removed from YouTubefor violating the streamer’s anti-hate speech policy.
Cozi TV, a multicast connection owned by NBCUniversal, put on a free outdoor interactive display to celebrate “30 years ofRoseanne,” which premiered 35 years ago although the exhibition mostly focused on one particular episode that did air 30 years ago.
The Lunch Box Diner booth.Jillian Sederholm
Roseanneseason 5, episode 15, “Lanford Daze,” which aired on Jan. 26, 1993, centered around the Lanford Days celebration and featured late country legendLoretta Lynn, who performed a duet with Barr over the closing credits.
The replica of Roseanne’s local hometown festival in San Diego was complete with carnival games, the Lunch Box Diner’s signature loose meat sandwiches, and a giant inflatable replica of the show’s iconic couch.
Roseannepremiered in 1988 on ABC and ran for nine seasons, earning four Emmy Awards (one for Barr and three for costarLaurie Metcalf), three Golden Globes (one for Barr, one for costarJohn Goodman, and one for the series itself), and even a Peabody.
A giant inflatable version of the ‘Roseanne’ couch.Jillian Sederholm
Although Barr herself remained acontroversial figureover the years, ABC launched a revival of the sitcom in 2018 with Barr and Goodman among those reprising their roles, but canceled it after a successful season in response to its star posting aracist tweetattacking former President Barack Obama’s senior adviser Valerie Jarrett.
Months later, the internet announced a spin-off sitcom,The Conners, with all the same cast members except Barr, whose character waskilled off via opioid overdosein the season premiere.The Connershas beenrenewed for a sixth season.
The Lanford Days activation is open to the public Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT at 6th and E Street in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter.
‘Roseanne’ pop-up at Comic-Con.Jillian Sederholm
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