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42 out of 50 people found the following review useful: A Realistic, Creative, Funny Sitcom that Dared to be Different., 5 August 2004 Author: Luka2095
Roseanne is probably the closest thing to families in reality. You had family shows like Full House, Family Matters where the problems always went away with hugs and smiles at the end. However, Roseanne didn't do that. It was a show based on the hard facts of life. Living on a budget, losing a job, kids experimenting with sex, alcohol, and drugs for the first time. It is these types of experiences that make Roseanne a truly special show that dared to be different. Roseanne started in 1988 on ABC, and was an instant success. Roseanne Barr played herself as a wisecracking mother and wife trying to raise her family the best she can. Roseanne is married to Dan Conner played by John Goodman. Goodman the goofy, but hard-working father, and devoted husband to Roseanne. Roseanne's sister, Jackie played by Laurie Metcalf, always had Roseanne's back while trying to deal with her own life. Roseanne and Dan had three children. The oldest Becky, was a bratty teenager who always despised of the way she had to live. Darlene, the younger daughter who was more of a tomboy, who always had sarcastic remarks. DJ being the youngest, an adventurous son, who was always running about the house. Other characters include Roseanne's infamous, and dreaded mother Bev, Arnie who makes appearances as Dan's friend, Dan's father Ed Conner, Leon, the gay manager of the restaurant, and Nancy their bisexual friend. Over the years, Becky moves out, and gets married to her boyfriend Mark. Darlene meets David, Mark's brother, and David eventually moves into the Conner household. Roseanne eventually opens up her own diner after bouncing around jobs. Dan takes up a job at the city garage. Jackie, and Roseanne get pregnant. Jackie giving birth to her son Andy, and Roseanne giving birth to new baby Jerry. Darlene gets married to David, and Dan also has a heart attack at the end of the eighth season. In the ninth and final season, The Conners win the state lottery, and become rich. Also in the last season, Darlene gives birth to a premature baby.Roseanne remained a superb show always in the top 10 during its first seven years. After a slight dip in ratings during the 8th season, Roseanne decided to have the family win the lottery, a move which began the ultimate demise of the show. After the family wins the lottery we get to see the Conners live it big after all those years of just getting by. Unfortunately, ratings began a steep plummet because the very principles of reality were being thrown out the window. We would no longer hear Roseanne call her house a hellhole, or see the family just trying to get by on tax day. In the ninth season we see Roseanne and family going to fancy dinners, appearing on Jerry Springer, going to luxury spas. While it was entertaining, it was no longer based on the original premise. To try and rekindle some sense reality, and to boost ratings, Dan has an affair after taking care of his sick mother in California. Roseanne and Dan eventually do rebuild their relationship, and towards the end of the series in a very emotional episode Darlene gives birth to a very premature baby.The show finally came to a close in 1997. The finale was probably the most creative by far, and quite possibly the most misleading. It turns out in the finale that the entire series was a recreation in Roseanne's book of how she wanted her life to be. Certain details were altered. For example, Jackie was gay because of all her man troubles, Becky actually marries David, while Darlene marries Mark. And the saddest part we learn that Dan actually died when he had his heart attack at the end of the eighth season. Roseanne explains that the entire ninth season did not even exist. Dan never had an affair with Roseanne, nor did the family win the lottery or have all those encounters with the rich and famous. It was just something that Roseanne always wanted to happen. Roseanne finishes writing in her book, and then gets up walks to the living room and sits on the sofa, and that is the end of the series.Why Roseanne chose to end her show this way I will never understand. What made her show such a hit for the first eight years was basically all made-up. This is one of those cases in television where Roseanne should have quit while she was ahead, as the ninth season did not even place in the top twenty. Despite the less than stellar last season, Roseanne still remains one of the best sitcoms in television history.
40 out of 47 people found the following review useful: A true and hilarious slice of life, 26 November 2004 Author: bppihl from Normal, Illinois
I must say that "Roseanne" has got to be by far one of my all-time favorite television sitcoms. I watched it for its entire run on ABC from 1988 to 1997, and still watch it in reruns on Nick at Nite. It was a welcome departure from most family sitcoms of the time (i.e. Full House, Family Matters, The Cosby Show). While interesting and diverse (I watched them sometimes), these shows often lacked the portrayal of the typically less than ideal realities of everyday life. "Roseanne" was different in that it showed, to the extent possible, people as they really are. It proved that working class people and families can make you laugh. They don't have to be rich, blond, and thin to be funny. Roseanne Barr plays Roseanne Conner, a hard-working, sarcastic, but lovable wife and mother who is never short of "telling it like it is." John Goodman plays her husband Dan Conner, tough but lovable to mom and the kids. Oldest daughter Becky is the most rebellious and loves boys. Middle child Darlene is the tomboy, and takes after Roseanne with her sarcastic wit. Youngest child DJ takes after his father. Along for the ride is Roseanne's younger unmarried sister, Jackie, played by Laurie Metcalf. While intelligent and well-meaning like Roseanne, Jackie is much more naive and gullible. Other characters include Crystal, who later marries Dan's father Ed. Roseanne and Jackie's mother Bev, the domineering, passive-aggressive guru, is a recurring character. Among many others, we also have Becky's boyfriend and later husband Mark, Darlene's boyfriend David, friend Nancy (Sandra Bernhard), and Roseanne's boss at the restaurant, Leon (Martin Mull). Jackie later gives birth to son Andy, and Roseanne and Dan have a son Jerry.Over the years, Roseanne and Dan face many challenges that keep them on their toes. They bounce from one job to another before landing modest steady employment. Becky challenges them the most, especially when it comes to Mark. Darlene is similar when it comes to David. DJ keeps somewhat in the background in the early years, but becomes more prominent as he gets older. Jackie has many different careers and relationships, sometimes bizarre. The Conners lose more than they win, but through it all they "get by." This is why I enjoyed the show so much. It showed that life does not always go the way we want it to, unlike a lot of other shows, and we have to deal with this. But somehow we get by too! While I did not enjoy the last season as much (it was too far removed from it's original objective), it still ranks up there on my list of favorites. People of all races, ethnicities, ability levels, creeds, sizes, orientations, etc are just like us. This is how life is and truly should be!
39 out of 47 people found the following review useful: The whine of a harmonica, the shriek of laughter born of pain..., 24 December 2001 Author: moonspinner55 from redlands, ca
A terrifically intense dramedy which features possibly the most realistic familial unit in TV sitcoms, not to mention a marriage between Roseanne and Dan Connor (Roseanne and John Goodman) which is pin-point exact, warm and right--and feels lived in. All non-believers have to do is watch a few episodes: the timing is deceptively shaggy yet perfect, the characters believable, their predicaments immediate. Fully realized by Roseanne herself, who never let her real-life chronicles get in the way of the show. The writing is continually sharp, with dialogue that frequently evokes whole lives, such as in the episode where Roseanne sits in a coffee house after hours talking to a tired waitress who confides about her late husband, "I miss him. It's so quiet. Sometimes I'll turn a football game on, turn it up real loud...and I hate sports. But what'ya gonna do?" Tender moments like this, seemingly throwaway bits, elude some viewers looking for a fast laughter fix; "Roseanne" was always something more, and it aches in laughter and in life's woes.
36 out of 45 people found the following review useful: Just great, 21 December 2003 Author: Wayne Malin (wwaayynnee51@hotmail.com) from United States
"Roseanne" is a milestone in TV sitcoms. It shows a lower class family realistically and the problems and issues they face. It dealt with (for the time) risky issues that you didn't see on TV often. I still remember quite a stir when two separate episodes dealt with one of the girls "becoming" a woman and the son of the family discovering how to "pleasure" himself. Also it had episodes dealing with abortion, gay characters, alcoholism, drug abuse, premarital sex, workplace and sexual harassment, how to deal with elderly parents... None of the characters were squeaky clean or perfect...they all had huge flaws and faults. But all of this was done with realism, great acting and a strong (if sometimes caustic) sense of humor. You saw the characters grow and change over the course of the 9 years it was on the air. It totally fell apart during the last season (egos were going out of control on the set) and ended horribly but the previous eight seasons were just fantastic. And the Halloween episodes were among the funniest ever done for a TV series. Just great all around. If you've never seen it, catch an episode or two--it's worth the effort.
29 out of 43 people found the following review useful: One of the greatest shows on TV for a few years!, 28 December 2004 Author: Devotchka from Canada
Roseanne was one of the funniest, most original programs on television for a long time. I recommend avoiding the last few years of the show; they're so maudlin and idiotic that they seem more like a (boring/stupid/insulting--take your pick!)parody of themselves than anything else. The actors sleepwalk through their lines as if they're fully aware of how stupid and poorly-written they are, and the last episode is ironically one of the WORST half-hours on TV! (Sort of mirrors the downfall of the Simpsons, really--why can't these wonderful shows just quit while they're ahead?) For a long time, Roseanne was a sweet and realistic portrayal of many American families--fraught with strife and struggle but loving all the same.
18 out of 26 people found the following review useful: One of the best tv sitcoms ever., 13 December 1998 Author: Jonathan Doron (jrd@netvision.net.il) from Israel
Roseanne is the most dramatic comedy, without the bugging educating stuff. All the actors are great. Dialogues are real. Sure, the first seasons are better than the newer ones, but you still should see every episode with this fab family who likes to win first prize as "white trash". One of the only shows with the woman-wife at the center, Roseanne portrays one of the best and true mothers in tv- ever. Ever-changing, always in control Roseanne the woman has a great deal to be proud of this 9 seasons running wonderful tv sitcom.
14 out of 20 people found the following review useful: Original and hilarious, 15 April 2000 Author: stills-6 from california
A highly original take on the tired genre of the American family sitcom. At the time, the gold standard was "The Cosby Show" and "Family Ties", both upper-middle class and completely unrealistic. "Roseanne" was the first high-quality sitcom since the Honeymooners to focus on working-class families. This show took the idea of the 80s family show and stood it on its ear.It took risks and chances that other shows were afraid to take, discussing subjects like homosexuality, child abuse, alcoholism, and teenage sexuality not just as one-show ideas, but as recurring themes. And though it wasn't successful all of the time, most of the time it was hilarious. I'd rather see a show take tremendous risks and fail than take the safe course and receive middling success.The last couple of seasons were less than stellar, and the very last season was terrible and marked the first time that Roseanne hadn't been in the top 10 (or top 20) in the ratings consistently since it started. But overall, it had the guts to change its situation every once in a while (Roseanne had, I think, ten separate jobs in nine years) to shake things up and add new elements.
19 out of 31 people found the following review useful: Realistic, 18 June 2003 Author: ClarusTheDogCow from Oregon
I do like Roseanne because it seems more realistic than the junk that is on TV today - take Friends for example - a bunch of whiny New Yorkers who never to have to worry about real problems. Roseanne gives us something different. I think a lot of people can relate to this show because it caters to your typical American - not wealthy, lives in a small town, has a family, trying to make it. I do think the last couple of seasons were ridiculous (the lottery subplot) but I guess those were done for a reason due to the actress, Roseanne.9/10 as for as sitcoms go.
6 out of 6 people found the following review useful: One of the Best, 20 July 2008 Author: vorazqux from United States
Roseanne should be considered one of the best sitcoms in television history as every classic show is a reflection of the times it represents. Roseanne has been off the air for about a decade now, and when I have a chance to watch it in syndication, I am always entertained. Even the last season, which was a disappointment, has its moments. It's also interesting to see how the characters evolved and changed over the years. I could be wrong about the following comment, but it seems somewhat obvious when Roseanne Barr was going through her divorce to Tom Arnold. Her performance on the show was more biting than usual during that particular season. Maybe it was the media, expectation, or something else. Either way, a new dimension to the show was added due to Barr's transformation (I believe it was Season 4 or 5).What really makes Roseanne stand out and keeps it in good company with other classic sitcoms is its blending of comedy and drama, often displayed in one scene. Elementally speaking, it reminds me of All in the Family, Maude, and Good Times, shows that defined showcasing dramedy in the 70s. Also, the performances were terrific. John Goodman was outstanding and underused as Dan. I look forward to when he is on screen. Sara Gilbert delivered a consistently excellent turn as Darlene, and then there's Roseanne Barr. She made her mark and did it well. Estelle Parsons was fantastic as Beverly, and Laurie Metcalf had some scene–stealing moments as Jackie. These are talented performers giving us quality television to remember, along with the writers, director(s), producers, and everyone else involved in the project. Anyone who finds Roseanne insulting, repugnant, and/or basically not worth watching may be missing the point of the show and the writing itself. Watch it again and really listen to the dialog. The characters are actually quite decent – they are simply not idealistic in a society that craves moral fortitude yet has difficulty maintaining a core foundation these days. Ozzie and Harriet they're not, but then again, a classic show is a reflection of the times it represents. Hence... Roseanne. The show would fair even better today with our present economy.Thanks to ABC for giving us Roseanne. We are the richer for it!
15 out of 24 people found the following review useful: Family Show for the '90s, 11 October 2001 Author: dgordon-1 from Toronto, Canada
When this show first debuted in 1988, I thought it was one of the worst shows to debut on TV back then. The kids were bratty, Roseanne's voice was aggravating-the list seemed to go on. A few years later, when the reruns started airing in the late afternoon, I really started appreciating the show for what it was: A family just trying to get by, and solve the problems that come up in everyday life. Along with this, Roseanne's witty "one-liners", and "off-the-cuff" humour, really made this show special. This show dissappeared for a couple of years here in Toronto, but it has been picked up again and is still as funny as it was when it first aired.
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