Andy Cohen Asked Whitney Cummings Why The Roseanne Revival Didn’t Cast Sabrina Carpenter, And Her Answer Did Not Disappoint

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As a film enthusiast with a knack for unraveling behind-the-scenes stories, I find myself captivated by the revelation that Sabrina Carpenter was once in contention to play Darlene’s daughter Harris on The Conners. The intrigue surrounding this casting decision is as tantalizing as a well-crafted mystery novel, with Whitney Cummings adding another chapter to the story during CNN’s New Year’s Eve broadcast.

Carpenter’s audition for the role didn’t pan out due to various reasons, and it seems the actress simply wasn’t the right fit for what the producers were looking for in Harris. I find it intriguing that, in a world where we often ponder “what if” scenarios, we could have seen Carpenter as part of the Conner family had events unfolded differently.

Emma Kenney ultimately landed the role while still starring on Shameless, and I must admit her portrayal of Harris feels like a more natural fit for the Lanford clan than anyone who could be described as “blonde and bubbly.” It’s hard not to wonder how the show would have evolved had Carpenter been cast instead.

In a humorous twist, Whitney Cummings joked that she deserves a cut of Carpenter’s touring money for not casting her on The Conners, suggesting that the pop star’s music career might not have taken off quite so strongly had she been committed to a network sitcom. I can only imagine the hilarious conversations between these two in an alternate universe where Carpenter is part of The Conners family and Cummings is collecting royalties from her touring earnings!

In closing, it’s always fascinating to delve into the casting decisions that shape the stories we watch on our screens. And who knows? Maybe one day we’ll find ourselves watching a Sabrina Carpenter-led Conners spinoff! Now, if only I could get a cut of the ratings for that hypothetical show…

For several months now, ABC has announced that “The Conners” will conclude with Season 7, joining a list of shows terminated in 2024 whose final installments are planned for the 2025 television schedule. As we anticipate new episodes, comedian and ex-showrunner of “Roseanne”, Whitney Cummings, revealed an intriguing tidbit: pop star Sabrina Carpenter, who has worked with Disney in the past, initially tried out for the role of Darlene’s daughter Harris during the original revival production.

The news raised queries regarding why the casting team didn’t consider the alum from “Girl Meets World” for the teen daughter character, but Cummings clarified this during an appearance on CNN’s New Year’s Eve broadcast with hosts Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper. Here, Cohen seemed to directly ask about the decision to reject Carpenter for the role, prompting Cummings to explain the reasoning behind it on “Fast Friends.

Sabrina Carpenter is highly valued, and there seems to be no suitable replacement for her in many aspects. However, it just didn’t work out between us for numerous reasons. It’s only natural that you’re focusing on the recent developments.

In keeping with his style, Andy Cohen, throughout his career, has been known to orchestrate dramatic scenarios. This can be seen in his role as a producer on Bravo’s Real Housewives series or as the host of the nightly talk show Watch What Happens Live, where celebrities are often asked about their scandalous moments in their careers. Therefore, it was not surprising that he brought up Whitney Cummings’ earlier statement about the pop star being among those auditioning for the tenth season of Roseanne.

I must admit, I thought Sabrina Carpenter might have missed the mark during her audition, but it seems that wasn’t quite the case. Instead, as a fan, I understand now that she simply wasn’t the right fit for the role alongside Harris, according to Cummings’ straightforward explanation. It appears they were searching for a specific vibe or chemistry, and Sabrina didn’t quite align with it.

Sabrina Carpenter reflects on her debut acting role in Law & Order: SVU and I urgently want to rewatch that episode again.

Eventually, Emma Kenney, who became a favorite among fans, got the role while she was already starring in Shameless. Although she doesn’t perfectly resemble Sara Gilbert, her portrayal of Harris adds a more convincing dynamic to the Conner family compared to someone who could be described as “blonde and cheerful.” It’s intriguing to imagine an alternate universe where we could watch how the show would transform with the “Please Please Please” singer in the Lanford clan.

Following that thorough explanation, Whitney Cummings playfully suggested that perhaps the pop star owes her something for not being cast on Roseanne before its transformation into The Conners. Since Cummings’ career in music might not have blossomed as it did if she had been working on a network sitcom instead. As Cummings humorously stated:

In essence, I’m entitled to a share of her earnings from tours because I didn’t employ her. If she hadn’t left the show, she wouldn’t have had the opportunity to tour. Thank you, Sabrina.

Or more concisely:

I deserve a cut of her touring income since I didn’t hire her, which is why she was on the show in the first place. Thanks, Sabrina.

For example, if Sabrina Carpenter was occupied with filming for the abbreviated yet significant finale of The Conners, she might not have had time to shoot her major Nonsense Christmas special, which can now be streamed with a Netflix subscription.

Although Cummings didn’t participate in the present Conners crew, it’s hopeful that a creative mind within the team considered bringing Carpenter on board during the filming of the final season last year. It’s unlikely, but who knows, right? After all, it wouldn’t hurt to wish for such a scenario.

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2025-01-02 22:38