Dream Emmy Podcast: Sara Gilbert Talks Overcoming Early Conners 'Growing Pains,' Drops Season 2 Hints: 'We Will Not Be Doing a [Spoiler]'
Sara Gilbert may be the ultimate picture of calm, cool and collected, but on the eve of The Conners‘ premiere last fall, the actress-producer was decidedly ill at ease.
In the latest installment of TVLine’s Dream Emmy-themed Podcast, Gilbert confesses to me that her anxiety level “was high” in the days leading up to the controversy-plagued spinoff’s launch because “we wanted to preserve the legacy [of Roseanne], so it wasn’t like a normal situation where you hope your show does well and you’re a little anxious… it was far bigger than that.”
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And even when it started to become clear that The Conners would honor vs. tarnish the franchise, Gilbert was hesitant to break out the champagne. “It was like, OK, [we delivered] a great pilot, but we still had to find our legs over the first few episodes,” she admits. “It went in and out.”
Also in the Q&A, Gilbert reveals why she is reluctant to slap the “matriarch” label on Darlene, reflects on her proudest Season 1 moment, and reveals which cast members will be back for the 19-episode second season — and whether they will start the season with a [spoiler].
Press PLAY on the podcast below to hear Gilbert’s interview with yours truly in full, and be sure to subscribe at iTunes to make sure you never miss a TVLine Podcast.
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