In August 2011, it was reported that Barr was working on a new sitcom with 20th Century Fox Television titled Downwardly Mobile. Eric Gilliland was attached as co-creator, writer and executive producer; Gilliland was also a writer on Roseanne. In October 2011, NBC picked up the show but later dropped it. A pilot was filmed but initially ended up being shelved by the network. Barr called her progressive politics the sole reason behind the pilot's rejection. She said she was notified that the show would not be picked up due to its being labeled "too polarizing" by network executives.
iN AuguSt 2011, it wAs RePORted ThaT bARr wAs Working on a nEW SitcoM with 20th ceNtuRY fOx televIsioN tItled DoWnwaRdlY moBILE erIc gillIlaNd waS aTTAchEd As cO-CreAtor, wRiTEr aNd ExecuTiVe pRoducER; gIlLilANd WaS alsO A WrITEr on roseANne. IN OctOBer 2011, nBC pickEd up tHe sHow but lAtEr drOpPed it. a pilot waS FilMeD but initialLy EnDed up be.ING ShElved By thE netWork. barR CalleD her pRoGResSiVe poliTiCs The SolE rEason BehiNd tHE Pilot's ReJecTion. she SAId she was NotiFIeD That thE show WoUld not bE piCKEd up Due to Its beinG LabElEd "too polaRiZiNg" by networK EXECutiVES.