Roseanne reboot premieres to unexpectedly strong ratings

The ABC comedy Roseanne came back in a big way Tuesday night, shattering ratings expectations in its return nearly three decades after its first premiere.

The sitcom revival topped every other major network show of the night, with success among the coveted audience of viewers aged 18 to 49. A full 18.1 million viewers tuned in, per The Hollywood Reporter, surpassing the premiere of another revival, NBC's Will & Grace, which drew 10 million viewers last fall.

The politically-tinged premiere of Roseanne drew a 5.1 rating in the show's key demographic group, the highest number of any sitcom in the past six years. Will & Grace, by comparison, premiered to a 3.0 rating. The reboot continues the themes of the original hit show, which followed the daily life of a working class family, led by comedian Roseanne Barr. The updated version of Roseanne's character is a supporter of President Trump, as is Barr, and trades barbs with her liberal-leaning sister, played by Laurie Metcalf.

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The show is currently only committed to nine episodes, but given the strong start and Barr's interest in continuing her eponymous role, Roseanne may become a regular fixture on primetime TV. Read more at The Hollywood Reporter.