The TV and movie industries are buzzing about two surprise hits.
Roseanne Barr’s return to primetime TV is a huge hit for ABC. According to the network, 18.2 million viewers tuned in.
During the 2016 race for president, Barr endorsed Donald Trump and then rejoiced when he won. In planning the new show, she decided to tackle the many issues that divide families and friends.
The first episode addresses the political tensions of our day from Hillary Clinton calling Trump supporters “deplorables” to the pussy hat feminists protesting his inauguration to NFL players taking a knee to gun control to affordable health care to the millions of people who need jobs.
At the heart of it all, Barr wants families to talk, reunite, love one another and laugh at our own selves.
To Roseanne Barr’s surprise, President Trump called to congratulate her. On ABC’s “Good Morning America” and she thanks her fans and talks about her conversation with the president.
The hit Christian movie I Can Only Imagine is stunning many critics. It’s based on the life of MercyMe lead singer and songwriter Bart Millard, who wrote the bestselling Christian song by the same name. Millard was abandoned by his mother and his father was abusive. Christian music helped him to survive, he wrote the song, and eventually helped his father to become a better man. The movie stars Dennis Quaid, Trace Adkins, Cloris Leachman, and J. Michael Finley in the lead role.
According to Box Office Mojo, the production budget was a modest $7 million and, as of March 28, the movie grossed $43,156,412 in the United States.
