three of the most notorious final seasons of great sitcoms were the last seasons of Facts Of Life, Roseanne and The Cosby Show.

Cosby's final season revolved mostly around Pam and her friends, and Vanessa only appears about 4 or 5 times. No Lisa Bonet at all, but we get a lot of Raven-Symone.

Roseanne's final season was controversial over the whole lottery storyline alienating a lot of the people who identified with the Connor's, plus John Goodman's importance on the show greatly was reduced, and many episodes revolved around Roseanne and Jackie adjusting to life as millionaires. Then we get a final episode that tells us the entire season had been a dream of Roseanne's, and that the entire series was a story she had been writing.

Facts Of Life's final season introduced the most hated and controversial character in the series' history... the annoying Pippa. One thing that drug the final season down is that most episodes were "vehicals" for special characters, the spark between the four characters seemed over, and the final episode was very disapointing.

Of these three seasons, which final season do you think was the worst?

Roseanne easily. It isn't even close.

:nod: Yeah, gotta go with Roseanne.

The Cosby Show...I liked Roseanne's final season and I have never really watched the facts of life...

Roseanne - Season 9 (with the exception of the finale) was terrible IMO. I haven't seen the final season of FOL.

Roseanne.

Roseanne's final season except for a small number of episodes(5 or less) is unwatchable. Cosby Show was pretty bad too. Never have seen FOL.

I voted for Roseanne.

Roseannes final season was pretty bad, than again, so was Cosby's and Facts Of Life's. Facts Of Life's final seasons was pretty bad, too, the girls were too old to be living together. But I guess ill say Roseanne.

FOL's last season, though not THAT great, were still, IMO, watchable.

Cosby's final season was bad, by and large.

Then there's Roseanne. That's the most awful final season of TV, in history, IMO.

am I the only person who liked Roseanne's last season?

Roseanne's final season wasn't actually that bad, it was just actually bad compared with what the show once was. There were funny episodes, but they were so bizarre and out of place that they seemed surreal.

Roseanne's final season was simply fascinating to watch simply because the show veered so far off course that it amazing

I voted for Roseanne. I didn't like the final season but I did like the final episode.

The Facts of Life didn't even really have a final episode, so that would win, but If it's overall final SEASONS, then I'd go with Roseanne. I still watch S9, and it's funny, but all the episodes are extremely pointless and are such a HUGE difference from S1-S8 in terms of character growth and storylines.

The Cosby Show's final seasons was also a bit of a jarring difference. I still can't believe how little Vanessa appeared. Heck, even Rudy didn't appear frequently, and if she did, I can't remember, so that's how little importance the character had that season. Even Theo wasn't in all of the episodes. It was all abou Cliff and Olivia and then Pam. It was just... weird.

BuffySlayer79 and everybody else here.... remember to add the rule that it MUST be from a show you like.... or every single thread becomes "which show do you hate more?".... because there is at least 1 person (who shall remain nameless) who posted just because they dont like a show altogether.

3 of my favorite shows.... 3 of my least favorite seasons.

What could be added to this is The Drew Carey Show which literally HURTS to watch.
I mean, my eyes burn when I see the new episodes.


As for worst.... I have to go with Roseanne. The early part of the season wasnt too bad, but it got wild and unfunny.

Originally posted by barwars
BuffySlayer79 and everybody else here.... remember to add the rule that it MUST be from a show you like.... or every single thread becomes "which show do you hate more?".... because there is at least 1 person (who shall remain nameless) who posted just because they dont like a show altogether.

If its me, I just want to say I did NOT pick Roseanne just because I dont like the show, I picked it because it had the worst final season.

Originally posted by Rurry007
If its me, I just want to say I did NOT pick Roseanne just because I dont like the show, I picked it because it had the worst final season.

Actually.... it wasnt you.
If though you do fit the description.

I think I'm the only person who liked the last season of Roseanne.

I hated it in 96-97, I hated it on TBS, I even hated it when N@N aired a few episodes during their premiere week for the series.

But after the fourth or so time viewing the final season, I understood finally what Roseanne was trying to do. This was no longer "Roseanne", but in many ways, she was making the season autobiographical about how much success changed her, yet at the same time, kept her the same. Plus, when you realize the season was all a dream Roseanne Connor had as a way of coping with the loss of Dan (Goodman must've only been in 5 episodes total in season 9), a lot of it makes sense. I view it as a different series than seasons 1-8, so I've grown to actually find it very entertaining.

IMO the show that had the all-time worst final season, that I liked beforehand, was a dramedy. The last season of Ally McBeal is still painful to talk about over 2 years later. Way too many useless new characters, way too many departures (every week, the cast seemed to change), Jon Bon Jovi was an awful love interest choice, way too little Lucy Liu, and it all bottomed out midseason when suddenly we're supposed to buy that Ally had an 11 year old daughter that she nothing about until that point?

The first 4 seasons of Ally McBeal are pure gold and I might eventually buy the Chinese copies of those (since they are NEVER coming out because of music rights), but season 5 just hurts too badly to even think about.

Ally MacBeal blew chunks from Season 2 onward, Season 1 was whimsical and funny but after that it just got weird, David Kelly can be a genius, just look at Picket Fences, but this show got more and more extreme as it went along and it soon became apparent that he had no plan for the show he was just trying to top himself with more bizarre situations and characters, adding Dame Edna to the cast (an australian man pretending to be a british man pretending to be a woman pretending to be an actress pretending to be... what did s/he do on Ally MacBeal again?)

Anyway, back on topic, the final season of the Cosby show did lose a lot because of the grown up kids, and Cosby looking after Olivia while her father and stepmother were travelling or something, theres a word for that - it's Deadbeat! But I liked a lot of the episodes from that year and tcs didn't stray as wildly off concept as Roseanne, which was already de-railing in Season 8

Never saw The Facts of Life sorry, 70s US sitcoms don't get re-run much in Australia other than The Brady Bunch and Happy Days!

Roseanne - hands down.

am I the only person who liked Roseanne's last season?
I liked it too!

Out of these three shows, my vote for the worst final season goes to...The Cosby Show.

I've always found the 9th and final season of The Facts of Life to be disappointing. There are a handful of really good episodes like "Less Than Perfect", "Down and Out In Malibu", "Rumor Has It" and "Let's Face the Music", but there are too many weak episodes.

The Cosby Show gets my vote. I didn't like Pam or her friends. The last episode of Roseanne was very disappointing, but the other episodes were okay. I never liked Pippa, but I still like The Facts of Life's last season.

I've always found the 9th and final season of The Facts of Life to be disappointing. There are a handful of really good episodes like "Less Than Perfect", "Down and Out In Malibu", "Rumor Has It" and "Let's Face the Music", but there are too many weak episodes.
Mike - did "The Little Chill" air in the final season? I think it was during the Beverly Ann era.

Roseanne. It's like money made people hot for each other because all the women got pregnant.

[QUOTE=catlover79]Mike - did "The Little Chill" air in the final season? I think it was during the Beverly Ann era.[/QUOTE no the little chill aired in season 8 i always thought that it was too bad that they didnt write that ep for season 7 so that mrs. garrett could have been in it]

^ Thank you for that info!! :cool:

Poor "Roseanne".

What could have gone down in history as an almost perfect series, it had to be ruined by its last few seasons -- mainly the final season.

am I the only person who liked Roseanne's last season?
No, I liked it. It was better than Cosby or Facts Of Life. I voted for Cosby as worst final season, none of the eps were remotely funny.

Roseanne. It's like money made people hot for each other because all the women got pregnant.
Only one woman was pregnant in the last season...

Try all of the above!!!

Poor "Roseanne".

What could have gone down in history as an almost perfect series, it had to be ruined by its last few seasons -- mainly the final season.


it was nowhere near perfect. Lacey Garason couldn't act at all; Sarah Gilbert couldn't express an emotion other than meloncholy; and Roseanne was loud, obnoxious and over-bearing. Plus the constant stream of characters coming and going made things confusing.

What happened to post #32? Up above I see post #31 from Buffyboy323 and #33 from factsoflife, but #32 seems to be missing! :eek:

What happened to post #32? Up above I see post #31 from Buffyboy323 and #33 from factsoflife, but #32 seems to be missing! :eek:


maybe the poster deleted it?

it was nowhere near perfect. Lacey Garason couldn't act at all; Sarah Gilbert couldn't express an emotion other than meloncholy; and Roseanne was loud, obnoxious and over-bearing. Plus the constant stream of characters coming and going made things confusing.
yea, we know that you hate Roseanne, there are a lot of us who love it just as much as you hate it though. Roseanne was as close to perfect as any sitcom could get between seasons 4-6 IMO. It's funny as hell but true, if it wasn't for The Facts Of Life (since we both like that one), me and you would be absolute polar opposites with TV shows :lol:

I'm not too familiar with Cosby and Facts final seasons so I have to say Roseanne! But I loved seasons 1-8.

Poor "Roseanne".

What could have gone down in history as an almost perfect series, it had to be ruined by its last few seasons -- mainly the final season.
Yep! I liked Roseanne's creativity for the final episode, but still, it hit us die-hard fans hard. I was glad to know they were NOT lottery winners and so forth, but we had to endure watching such unwatchable episodes to get to that part.

Mike - did "The Little Chill" air in the final season? I think it was during the Beverly Ann era.


"The Little Chill" is actually from the 8th season. The 8th season is one of my favorties, which is why the overall low quality of the 9th season is such a disappointment.

it was nowhere near perfect. Lacey Garason couldn't act at all; Sarah Gilbert couldn't express an emotion other than meloncholy; and Roseanne was loud, obnoxious and over-bearing. Plus the constant stream of characters coming and going made things confusing.
All of that is opinion. Just like it is my opinion that "Roseanne" was basically perfect in seasons 1-6.

I loved all the acting, including Lacey, Sarah and Roseanne. Lacey was the perfect bratty teenager, while Darlene was the perfect depressed teenager. And in my opinion, Roseanne was one of the most realistic actors on television to date.

Seasons 1-6 were always in the Top 5 of the ratings. Roseanne should have quit while it was ahead.

Still my favorite sitcom regardless.

All of that is opinion. Just like it is my opinion that "Roseanne" was basically perfect in seasons 1-6.

I loved all the acting, including Lacey, Sarah and Roseanne. Lacey was the perfect bratty teenager, while Darlene was the perfect depressed teenager. And in my opinion, Roseanne was one of the most realistic actors on television to date.

Seasons 1-6 were always in the Top 5 of the ratings. Roseanne should have quit while it was ahead.

Still my favorite sitcom regardless.


well that's what makes conversations like this so interesting, everyone has a different point of view and a different point of reference.

Roseanne

All of that is opinion. Just like it is my opinion that "Roseanne" was basically perfect in seasons 1-6.

I loved all the acting, including Lacey, Sarah and Roseanne. Lacey was the perfect bratty teenager, while Darlene was the perfect depressed teenager. And in my opinion, Roseanne was one of the most realistic actors on television to date.

Seasons 1-6 were always in the Top 5 of the ratings. Roseanne should have quit while it was ahead.

Still my favorite sitcom regardless.
I agree with all of it except Lecy. She was my least fave of the actors on the show and I guess it explains why I think the show was at it's best when Becky moved out and Darlene became the focal child of the show. How can anyone not love Darlene? Sara has limped along in a lot of mediocre programming in the years since (Twins anyone?) but she absolutely nailed Darlene perfectly. Roseanne, Sara and Laurie were all phenomenal in their roles and I can never get sick of the reruns of the show.

Even though season nine wasn't the best, I am glad it happened because that year still had some great episodes, it was just a little too camp and off-the-wall for a lot of the more middle of the road viewers. I personally loved Roseanne kicking terrorist ass and her and Jackie mingling with the ladies from Ab Fab, and them being houseguests to the snooty Martha's Vineyard family, etc.... but I can see where a lot of people would hate it because it went against what the show was originally about.

"The Little Chill" is actually from the 8th season. The 8th season is one of my favorties, which is why the overall low quality of the 9th season is such a disappointment.
with FOL, I think the show probably could've and should've ended in season 8. Season 8 was a great season that really rejuvinated the show (yea, I know ratings were falling by 1986, but I mean the quality of the show) and had they decided to wrap in 1987, it would've gone out on top IMO. Season 9 was a perfect example of a series that had stayed too long to the party and felt stale and tired for the most part. Plus, season 9 introduced Pippa and more and more episodes focused on Andy. The last season mostly felt like they were all tired and ready to go, whereas season 8 felt like the show once again had something to prove by showing it could withstand losing Charlotte Rae, and it succeeded that year.

with FOL, I think the show probably could've and should've ended in season 8. Season 8 was a great season that really rejuvinated the show (yea, I know ratings were falling by 1986, but I mean the quality of the show) and had they decided to wrap in 1987, it would've gone out on top IMO. Season 9 was a perfect example of a series that had stayed too long to the party and felt stale and tired for the most part. Plus, season 9 introduced Pippa and more and more episodes focused on Andy. The last season mostly felt like they were all tired and ready to go, whereas season 8 felt like the show once again had something to prove by showing it could withstand losing Charlotte Rae, and it succeeded that year.


I totally agree with you!

I agree with all of it except Lecy. She was my least fave of the actors on the show and I guess it explains why I think the show was at it's best when Becky moved out and Darlene became the focal child of the show. How can anyone not love Darlene? Sara has limped along in a lot of mediocre programming in the years since (Twins anyone?) but she absolutely nailed Darlene perfectly. Roseanne, Sara and Laurie were all phenomenal in their roles and I can never get sick of the reruns of the show.

Even though season nine wasn't the best, I am glad it happened because that year still had some great episodes, it was just a little too camp and off-the-wall for a lot of the more middle of the road viewers. I personally loved Roseanne kicking terrorist ass and her and Jackie mingling with the ladies from Ab Fab, and them being houseguests to the snooty Martha's Vineyard family, etc.... but I can see where a lot of people would hate it because it went against what the show was originally about.

I disagree with you and factsoflife about Lecy. There could not be another girl who could play the part as Becky as good. She was a brilliant actor, and brought her own sense to the character. When Sarah came in, Becky just seemed to blend in with the crowd, if you understand what I mean. Sarah could not act at all, and made Becky seem like this bubbly, overacted person which she wasn't at all.

it was nowhere near perfect. Lacey Garason couldn't act at all; Sarah Gilbert couldn't express an emotion other than meloncholy; and Roseanne was loud, obnoxious and over-bearing. Plus the constant stream of characters coming and going made things confusing.
Maybe you are getting Sarah Chalke mixed up with Lecy. Sarah couldn't act for sh*t. Lecy on the other hand EXCELLED AT BEING A TEEN BRAT. She behaved in a way that hadn't been seen before by anyone and it was realistic. She behaved liked I did as a rebellious teen, only wanting her boyfriend, etc. Lecy hit it on the head.

Darlene was dealing with teen angst. Her "meloncholy" way of talking was her personality during her teen years, having her "black period" or as some might describe, depression. A lot of people who are depressed will speak in a monotone type way, no expression, no sadness, no happiness, nothing, just talk. Darlene did that very well. It was something I can certainly identify with as someone who dealt with depression.

Roseanne, let's not forget, she was not a trained actress. She was a comedian who did stand-up. If anything, her acting skills were not the best during the first season. She talked a certain way (with a twang) and seemed to say everything with a smile or a laugh. She looked like she was still doing stand-up rather than acting. Roseanne got over that eventually and it can be seen.

Maybe you are getting Sarah Chalke mixed up with Lecy. Sarah couldn't act for sh*t. Lecy on the other hand EXCELLED AT BEING A TEEN BRAT. She behaved in a way that hadn't been seen before by anyone and it was realistic. She behaved liked I did as a rebellious teen, only wanting her boyfriend, etc. Lecy hit it on the head.

Darlene was dealing with teen angst. Her "meloncholy" way of talking was her personality during her teen years, having her "black period" or as some might describe, depression. A lot of people who are depressed will speak in a monotone type way, no expression, no sadness, no happiness, nothing, just talk. Darlene did that very well. It was something I can certainly identify with as someone who dealt with depression.

Roseanne, let's not forget, she was not a trained actress. She was a comedian who did stand-up. If anything, her acting skills were not the best during the first season. She talked a certain way (with a twang) and seemed to say everything with a smile or a laugh. She looked like she was still doing stand-up rather than acting. Roseanne got over that eventually and it can be seen.

Thankyou, Irene. We get that factsoflife hates Roseanne, but how many times does he have to tell us? You're right - Paris Hilton could act better than Sarah Chalke, and Lecy was a brilliant actress who showed us exactly what being a teenager was all about.

If factsoflife wants to continue to tell us all this **** about how trashy and horrible Roseanne and it's actors are, let him, but we shouldn't have to put up with it. This was one of the greatest shows of the 90's . . . very underrated when compared to other 90's hits like Friends and Seinfeld.

This was one of the greatest shows of the 90's . . . very underrated when compared to other 90's hits like Friends and Seinfeld.

And Roseanne was way better than those shows. ;)

And Roseanne was way better than those shows. ;)

It really was. It was just getting old by the time Friends premiered and Seinfeld became a hit.

I love Seinfeld and think Friends was a good, but very overrated, show, but Roseanne at it's peak was better than either of them.

I love Seinfeld and think Friends was a good, but very overrated, show, but Roseanne at it's peak was better than either of them.
It's true. Seinfeld and Friends were great shows - but Roseanne was an amazing show. Seasons 4-6 of Roseanne are three of the best seasons for any sitcom ever, IMO. It also helped that it was 4-6 and not 1,3, and 7. Three practically flawless years in a row doesn't happen too often anymore.

Facts of Life's final season wasn't *bad*. And Roseanne's final season was a true mixed bag. Cosby Show's final season's just unwatchable by me.

Thankyou, Irene. We get that factsoflife hates Roseanne, but how many times does he have to tell us? You're right - Paris Hilton could act better than Sarah Chalke, and Lecy was a brilliant actress who showed us exactly what being a teenager was all about.

If factsoflife wants to continue to tell us all this **** about how trashy and horrible Roseanne and it's actors are, let him, but we shouldn't have to put up with it. This was one of the greatest shows of the 90's . . . very underrated when compared to other 90's hits like Friends and Seinfeld.


i actually thought that Sarah Chalke was a great actress and did a good job playing Becky. I never believed Lacey as Becky, she seemed bored and i hated when she came back and made Sarah loose her job.

I have no issue with Roseanne as an actress, she did a great job, but i thought the series as a whole had some problems.

I will say a few nice things about the show though: Laurie Metcalf was HILARIOUS as Jackie, she is one thing on that show that was perfect. I also though that Michael Fishman was a natural actor.

And i do appreciate the show's willingness to introduce gay characters like Bev and Leon. and gay actors like Sandra Burnhert.

Yeah, Lecy made Sarah lose her job....

It was in her contract that she was temporary and that Lecy was always going to have the door open for her to return. Roseanne wanted Lecy to further her education, what is wrong with that? Geez.

Yeah, Lecy made Sarah lose her job....

It was in her contract that she was temporary and that Lecy was always going to have the door open for her to return. Roseanne wanted Lecy to further her education, what is wrong with that? Geez.
Sarah didn't lose her job though. She was there when Lecy came back, and then after Lecy left again...

Sarah didn't lose her job though. She was there when Lecy came back, and then after Lecy left again...
Yeah, I know. I was being sarcastic with my post.

The poster inferred that Sarah lost her job because of Lecy. That goes to show how much the poster knows abt the show to even make that off the wall statement. It is one thing to have an opinion on something, it is another to make a comment that isn't true.

I was clarifying how Lecy had a contract that allowed her to return to the show at anytime she wanted to. Sarah's contract was she was Becky, until Lecy returned to the show at anytime she wanted.

Yeah, I know. I was being sarcastic with my post.

The poster inferred that Sarah lost her job because of Lecy. That goes to show how much the poster knows abt the show to even make that off the wall statement. It is one thing to have an opinion on something, it is another to make a comment that isn't true.

I was clarifying how Lecy had a contract that allowed her to return to the show at anytime she wanted to. Sarah's contract was she was Becky, until Lecy returned to the show at anytime she wanted.
Oh I know. I meant to quote FactsOfLife. Sorry.

But anyhow, I know Roseanne told Lecy that the door was always open for her to return. Sarah wasn't let go once Lecy came back. I wonder why...Maybe they wanted to keep switching them off as a running gag?

As far as Sarah Chalke goes, I think she's a good actress, just not on Roseanne. That was bad casting and not a good fit. I think she's much better on Scrubs.

And i do appreciate the show's willingness to introduce gay characters like Bev and Leon. and gay actors like Sandra Burnhert.
Very true. "Roseanne" promoted a very gay friendly view, one that mainstream television hadn't really seen before.

I give kudos to Roseanne for pushing a very progressive view on most social issues.

Very true. "Roseanne" promoted a very gay friendly view, one that mainstream television hadn't really seen before.

I give kudos to Roseanne for pushing a very progressive view on most social issues.
I think people always give Ellen so much credit for opening the doors for gays and lesbians on television but I think Roseanne deserves more than she gets. I even told her myself when I was on her radio show (she's a really nice person, I was on her show for about ten minutes several months back talking to her) that I feel like her contribution is way too underrated and that I believe her show passed the litmus test for ABC to "ok" Ellen.

Oh I know. I meant to quote FactsOfLife. Sorry.

But anyhow, I know Roseanne told Lecy that the door was always open for her to return. Sarah wasn't let go once Lecy came back. I wonder why...Maybe they wanted to keep switching them off as a running gag?


so wait, what happened when Lecy came back, they just switched between the two actresses?

I think people always give Ellen so much credit for opening the doors for gays and lesbians on television but I think Roseanne deserves more than she gets. I even told her myself when I was on her radio show (she's a really nice person, I was on her show for about ten minutes several months back talking to her) that I feel like her contribution is way too underrated and that I believe her show passed the litmus test for ABC to "ok" Ellen.

Well, i think that Roseanne's show was very progressive and opened a lot of doors for gay characters and deserves more credit than she gets, but i don't think it's fair to underestimate the impact that ellen's coming out had, that was historical and opened the doors for shows like "Will & Grace", "Six Feet Under", "Queer As Folk" and 'The L-Word" to show openly gay characters in many different ways. They both did their part in the fight for gay characters on tv.

so wait, what happened when Lecy came back, they just switched between the two actresses?
Yes.

Which is why it is important when stating opinions, one have their facts straight. I am not going to argue with people who hate Roseanne or any other show I love if they make off the wall statements and are not true. If one has an opinion on why they dislike a certain show, fine, no problem, but state the things truthfully. If you hate the show, fine, so be it. I don't go on the Honeymooners board and state anything negative abt it because that is just rude. If I have something to back up something I am saying, that is different. I would never make a false statement abt a show that I don't care to watch.

If I have something to back up something I am saying, that is different. I would never make a false statement abt a show that I don't care to watch.
The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air sucks. ;)

The problems with most seasons finales is that they tend to focus on ratings and trying to beat M*A*S*H final ratings instead of trying to close out the show.Many show despite how good usually pass season 5 have overstayed their welcome;especially if it had young kids on them that are now all grown up,bringing in cuteter,younger kids,or a charater is just plain tried of playing that charater,or die;that should be a hint to rap it up,and go far away,but noooooooooo!The shows run 6 seasons,then 7,then 8,and before you know it,you are watching the babies of 7th HEAVEN go from babies to entering collage!In closing,the T.V. shows ought to know when to quite while ahead,and come up with a finish that make sense!

^ Thank you for that info!! :cool:your welcome