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Michael Fishman Speaks Out After Being Excluded From ‘The Conners’ Series Finale: ‘New Perspective’
The Conners series finale was extremely emotional, and there was one member of the beloved sitcom family missing from the show’s sendoff – Michael Fishman.
The actor, who played D.J. Conner on Roseanne and four seasons of The Conners, spoke out in an Instagram video posted one day after the spinoff show’s season 7 finale.
“It’s the day after The Conners finale, and I have been inundated with people looking for a reaction. People seem to want to have there be some kind of conflict or controversy, especially on my part,” Michael, 43, told the camera in the April 24 video. “The reality is, all I really have is empathy and understanding for all of the people on set and for all of our audience that’s grieving. I prefer to be a lighthouse in the dark.”
“And it’s for that reason that I’m creating a safe space to build community to process difficult emotions and transitions,” the former child star continued. “When I look back at the legacy of the show, a legacy that started with Roseanne Barr and that we built into Roseanne and The Conners, I have only gratitude. I really believe that that legacy belongs to all of you in the audience.”
“I’ve been really lucky to be rewarded for my professionalism and kindness and collaboration by The Carsey-Werner Company, who owns it, who has asked me to keep shining light on the series,” he concluded. “And it’s been my honor cause I believe it’s a comfort show for so many. So in this time, I keep thinking to myself it’s the perfect time to reconnect. It’s the perfect time to go back and celebrate. And so I’m looking back and starting over and watching from the beginning with a whole new perspective.”
In the caption of the post, Michael wrote, “Thankful for the Gift of Grief, that it happened, that I got to share the experience, forever changed by it. To everyone who build our shows and all those who empowered it. #Legacy #Community #Love #Family #Roseanne.”
The comments were full of support for Michael, as the chapter of The Conners has officially ended.
“You were very much missed in the finale but we all know you are still a Conner,” one person commented, while another said, “You are amazing and a fan of yours. The Conners had a deserved proper finale and closure. The naysayers did not believe that the show will last past the first season, let alone seven seasons.”
“Right on, Michael. I admire your decision to turn to the light. It reaps its own rewards!” another person wrote in a comment.
“You have so much to be proud of. What a legacy,” someone else said.
“Thank you for being a part of the tv family that raised me,” another person wrote. “Love the attitude and hope everyone is able to find peace and understanding.”
It was first revealed that Michael would not be featured in the final season of The Conners in March.
“Honestly, once you see the arcs [you will understand],” executive producer Bruce Helford told TVLine about not including Michael, Johnny Galecki or Estelle Parsons in the six-episode finale season. “What we never want to do is just bring somebody in just to see that person on the show. We want everyone to have something important to play.”
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