The Conners is going without an audience as it becomes the first network sitcom to return to work

Deadline

Production started today on Season 3 of the ABC comedy with strict coronavirus protocols, with the first taping scheduled for the 19-episode season scheduled for later this week. The Conners will be filmed with minimal crew and without an in-studio audience. "Shooting in Los Angeles, The Conners is enforcing rigorous safety and health protocols, aligned with all state and local requirements as well as union and industry guidelines for production," reports Deadline's Nellie Andreeva. "They had been developed by the show’s producers for several months." The Conners showrunner Bruce Helford told TVLine in May that "we’ll absolutely be dealing" with the coronavirus in scripts, adding: "We’re a show that reflects reality, so we’re obligated (to address it)." Meanwhile, Andreeva reports that The Conners' fellow ABC comedy The Goldbergs is "eyeing" returning to work later this week, while the Peacock's Saved by the Bell resumed production last week and the pilot for NBC's Night School completed production two weeks ago.