Michael Fishman is opening up about why he didn’t appear in the series finale of The Conners.
The 43-year-old actor played D.J. Conner on all 10 seasons of Roseanne and reprised his role for first four seasons of the spinoff series. He did not appear in the last three seasons of the show and he didn’t return for the series finale, which aired on April 23.
In a new Instagram video, Michael addressed his absence from the finale after being “inundated with people looking for a reaction.”
Keep reading to find out more…“People seem to want to have there be some kind of conflict or controversy, especially on my part,” Michael shared in the video posted on April 25. “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.”
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.”
While sharing his desire to be “lighthouse in the dark,” Michael reflected, “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.”
Michael also expressed his gratitude for being “rewarded for my professionalism and kindness and collaboration,” specifically naming the the Carsey-Werner Company, a production company that developed Roseanne and whose co-founder Tom Werner produced The Conners alongside star Sara Gilbert under their Sara + Tom banner.
“It’s been my honor, because I believe it’s a comfort show for many,” Michael concluded. “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 a recent interview, Sara reflected on The Conners‘ 7-season run.