Ann Romano and Roseanne Connor are probably two of the most realistic t.v. moms. Which do you think is best and why? I think Ann was a thousand times better. Roseanne had no class and would engage in underhanded activities. Ann never did those things. Roseanne was not in any way a positive role model for her kids. While Ann had her problems and shortcomings, she most of the time set a decent example for her kids to follow. As far as similarities go, both Ann and Roseanne had big mouths and were opinionated. Both were working moms trying to make a living and raise a family. Both felt like they hadn't achieved as much as they wanted to before having kids. Both had wild first-born daughters who at one time ran off with their boyfriends.

There are way more differences between them though. While both were opinionated, Roseanne tried to dominate everyone around her. Ann didn't really do that. Ann just didn't want to be dominated, but she had no desire to dominate others. Another big difference is that Ann was an old-fashioned mom while Roseanne was more progressive. Ann believed in spanking and used it when her kids were little. Roseanne was totally opposed to corporal punishment and even apologized for striking her son in anger. Ann would not have done that in a million years! Another difference is that I think Ann had higher moral standards for herself and her kids. Roseanne never concerned herself with morals and just concentrated on what felt good. Although both moms had wild first-born daughters, I do think Ann's kids respected deep down inside while Roseanne's had no real respect for her.

The main difference is that Ann had class, and Roseanne did not. Which mom had you rather have? I would have rather had Ann.

Can I say neither?? :lol: Irene, you're going to hate me, but I think I'm going to go with Ann Romano on this one. *ducks* :seeya:

Mrs. Romano.

Best tv mom? lol! I'd have to go with Ann Romano, Roseanne was kind of scary. lol!

Who's Ann Romano? :confused:

Ann Romano.

Who's Ann Romano? :confused:
She was the mother on One Day at a Time.

Ann Romano for me too.

I've never seen a show with Ann Romano. Sooooo Roseanne for me!

I've never seen a show with Ann Romano. Sooooo Roseanne for me!

Ti's good to hear someone at these boards likes Roseanne as a mother-LOL

Roseanne was a great mother. She wasn't always correct in what she did, but she loved her kids and always tried to do her best.

Roseanne was a great mother. She wasn't always correct in what she did, but she loved her kids and always tried to do her best.

That's exactly how I see it.

Can I say neither?? :lol: Irene, you're going to hate me, but I think I'm going to go with Ann Romano on this one. *ducks* :seeya:
:lol: Never my dear. I couldn't hate you.

I like both. They are both different, unique and they both had different situations. I could never understand comparing one vastly different person with another. Why compare two different types of characters?

Ann was divorced, raising two teens in a small apartment. Roseanne was married with three kids and had a home. We seen Roseanne in other situations, like work, whereas, we didn't see Ann out of the apartment scenario very much in the early seasons of the show.

Roseanne all the way!! The show was more fun to watch for me.

Ann Romano for me. Roseanne was seriously funny but Ann Romano for sure.

Roseanne all the way!! The show was more fun to watch for me.

It was a better show, but that doesn't mean she's a good Mom. I'm probably being too picky, though :crazy:

:lol: Never my dear. I couldn't hate you.

I like both. They are both different, unique and they both had different situations. I could never understand comparing one vastly different person with another. Why compare two different types of characters?

Ann was divorced, raising two teens in a small apartment. Roseanne was married with three kids and had a home. We seen Roseanne in other situations, like work, whereas, we didn't see Ann out of the apartment scenario very much in the early seasons of the show.
Irene, the one thing about Ann Romano that was different from Rosanne that she had a career type job given she was a high school graduate. She moved from being an account executive with her own private office to being part owner of an advertising agency.

Irene, the one thing about Ann Romano that was different from Rosanne that she had a career type job given she was a high school graduate. She moved from being an account executive with her own private office to being part owner of an advertising agency.
Right. Exactly. We did see her struggle in the early seasons, it wasn't until much later when that kind of stuff became boring and redundant that we saw her out of the apartment, working her way up, getting away from all that teen drama.
Also, Ann came from a series that was taking place in the 70's...Roseanne started late in the 80's and is known more as a 90's show. Twenty years difference...same teen drama, but a vastly different era.
To me, it's like comparing a mother from a 50's sitcom to a mother of the 70's. :lol:

To me, it's like comparing a mother from a 50's sitcom to a mother of the 70's. :lol:

What about a mother from the 70s who thinks she's a mother in the 50s? Of course, I'm talking about Marion Cunningham of Happy Days. And of course, I'm joking. :)

I picked Ann only cause shes the lesser of 2 evils ( and was kind of cute in a weird pixieish sort of way )......now, had you given a third choice like "anyone else"......................... :rolleyes:

I picked Ann only cause shes the lesser of 2 evils ( and was kind of cute in a weird pixieish sort of way )......now, had you given a third choice like "anyone else"......................... :rolleyes:
Claire Huxtable? ;) :lol:

Claire Huxtable? ;) :lol:
:eek2:

Right. Exactly. We did see her struggle in the early seasons, it wasn't until much later when that kind of stuff became boring and redundant that we saw her out of the apartment, working her way up, getting away from all that teen drama.
Also, Ann came from a series that was taking place in the 70's...Roseanne started late in the 80's and is known more as a 90's show. Twenty years difference...same teen drama, but a vastly different era.
To me, it's like comparing a mother from a 50's sitcom to a mother of the 70's. :lol:
In the later seasons she started looking more attractive as well especially when she had the Dorothy Hamil hairstyle. I kinda had a crush on Bonnie Franklin as well. Watching Ann Romano matured over the years made the show watchable. Plus they did not try to make her into another Mary Richards. She was a real person with flaws and issues but a great mom as well.

I loved Ann. She was just real to me. She also did have a husband later down the line that did not try and dominate her. Sam was easygoing and laid back. He was annoying a bit with some stuff, but was cool overall.

I loved Ann. She was just real to me. She also did have a husband later down the line that did not try and dominate her. Sam was easygoing and laid back. He was annoying a bit with some stuff, but was cool overall.

What bothered me about the Sam and Ann union was when they got married she still kept her name as Ann Romano and not took on her married name as Royer. Plus Bonnie Franklin and Howard Hesselman did not look compatible at all. Too bad there were not more stories on them and their new relationship given that it was their second marriage.

Remember when Roseanne spanked her son for stealing the car, wrecking it, nearly killing himself, lying about it, and then smarting off to her? Then it was so pathetic when she apologized to him. I know Roseanne was actually abused as a child, but what she did was NOT abuse. In fact, it was warranted and was exactly what the boy needed! If Ann's girls had done that same thing at that age, Ann would have spanked their rear ends and would not have apologized. Ann made her kids account for what they had done. They never got away with crap. Ann would have handled that just like Roseanne, minus the apology. Ann spanked Julie and Barbara when they were younger, and they respected her. She did NOT abuse them like Roseanne tried to make that out to be.

It was a better show, but that doesn't mean she's a good Mom. I'm probably being too picky, though :crazy:
through it all she still loved her kids and not everyones house is in perfect order all the time like the Cleavers or Bradys.

through it all she still loved her kids and not everyones house is in perfect order all the time like the Cleavers or Bradys.

That's the realness to it.

Both are great, i think people that know me will know that ill route for our rosey!! :lol: ;)

Remember when Roseanne spanked her son for stealing the car, wrecking it, nearly killing himself, lying about it, and then smarting off to her? Then it was so pathetic when she apologized to him. I know Roseanne was actually abused as a child, but what she did was NOT abuse. In fact, it was warranted and was exactly what the boy needed! If Ann's girls had done that same thing at that age, Ann would have spanked their rear ends and would not have apologized. Ann made her kids account for what they had done. They never got away with crap. Ann would have handled that just like Roseanne, minus the apology. Ann spanked Julie and Barbara when they were younger, and they respected her. She did NOT abuse them like Roseanne tried to make that out to be.
I see you and I agree as far as spanking a child when needed. However, when a person is abused as a child, they carry that with them forever. Some people tend to fall in that pattern and abuse their kids as they too were abused. I can only say that Roseanne felt she went off the deep end. She was a mother who was worried, angry, p*ssed and losing her temper when she found out what D.J. had done. I think I would have done the same thing with my child. But what Roseanne was worried abt was that she was turning into her father, someone that she loathed for the abuse he rendered upon her and Jackie.

I see you and I agree as far as spanking a child when needed. However, when a person is abused as a child, they carry that with them forever. Some people tend to fall in that pattern and abuse their kids as they too were abused. I can only say that Roseanne felt she went off the deep end. She was a mother who was worried, angry, p*ssed and losing her temper when she found out what D.J. had done. I think I would have done the same thing with my child. But what Roseanne was worried abt was that she was turning into her father, someone that she loathed for the abuse he rendered upon her and Jackie.
Here's another thing Irene I liked about Ann Romano was she dealt with the root of her issues of needing a man to take care of her stemming from her father to her husband and nearly repeated that pattern with David (her lawyer boyfriend in the first season). Once David was out of the picture she had to learn who she is, raised two teenage daughters and worked all at the same time. Plus we saw the resentment she had with her mom, played quite well by Nanette Fabary (Shelley Fabares' aunt). We did not see that with Roseanne.

Here's another thing Irene I liked about Ann Romano was she dealt with the root of her issues of needing a man to take care of her stemming from her father to her husband and nearly repeated that pattern with David (her lawyer boyfriend in the first season). Once David was out of the picture she had to learn who she is, raised two teenage daughters and worked all at the same time. Plus we saw the resentment she had with her mom, played quite well by Nanette Fabary (Shelley Fabares' aunt). We did not see that with Roseanne.
Roseanne did in fact had major issues with her mother. Many times I felt it was uncalled for. Roseanne's mother was being disrespected not only by Roseanne but by the kids. We later learn that Bev was in a loveless marriage. Bev also had to see her daughters being abused. Bev was also an alcoholic. We did in fact see Roseanne raise her kids in a way that may scream "undisciplined" but it was only because Roseanne had been hit as a child and she didn't want to do that to her kids. So to say we didn't see any resentment by Roseanne towards Bev is incorrect. Roseanne resented that Bev didn't interfere when her husband abused Roseanne and Jackie. Roseanne only later learned that Bev was also being mentally and emotionally abused, being cheated on and turned to alcohol to deal with her demons.

To compare Roseanne and Ann Romano is in my opinion nonsense. You can't compare the two. The only thing they had in common was they both had two daughters, they each had a mother who they argued with and dealt with financial stresses. Other than those three things, why are we even trying to compare who was the better mother? Why is it being said that Ann dealt with this issue, but not Roseanne? TWO DIFFERENT SHOWS, TWO DIFFERENT MOTHERS, TWO DIFFERENT SITUATIONS, TWO DIFFERENT ERAS.

Ann didn't deal with child abuse. Ann didn't deal with losing a business. Ann didn't deal with a husband who had a heart attack. I could go on and on. It is moot to even discuss the differences between the two when in fact, THEY EACH WERE DIFFERENT.

Roseanne did in fact had major issues with her mother. Many times I felt it was uncalled for. Roseanne's mother was being disrespected not only by Roseanne but by the kids. We later learn that Bev was in a loveless marriage. Bev also had to see her daughters being abused. Bev was also an alcoholic. We did in fact see Roseanne raise her kids in a way that may scream "undisciplined" but it was only because Roseanne had been hit as a child and she didn't want to do that to her kids. So to say we didn't see any resentment by Roseanne towards Bev is incorrect. Roseanne resented that Bev didn't interfere when her husband abused Roseanne and Jackie. Roseanne only later learned that Bev was also being mentally and emotionally abused, being cheated on and turned to alcohol to deal with her demons.

To compare Roseanne and Ann Romano is in my opinion nonsense. You can't compare the two. The only thing they had in common was they both had two daughters, they each had a mother who they argued with and dealt with financial stresses. Other than those three things, why are we even trying to compare who was the better mother? Why is it being said that Ann dealt with this issue, but not Roseanne? TWO DIFFERENT SHOWS, TWO DIFFERENT MOTHERS, TWO DIFFERENT SITUATIONS, TWO DIFFERENT ERAS.

Ann didn't deal with child abuse. Ann didn't deal with losing a business. Ann didn't deal with a husband who had a heart attack. I could go on and on. It is moot to even discuss the differences between the two when in fact, THEY EACH WERE DIFFERENT.

They were two different women but at the same time they were groundbreaking TV moms at many levels. That what made this thread interesting.

They were two different women but at the same time they were groundbreaking TV moms at many levels. That what made this thread interesting.
I think a thread abt which tv mom overall is your favorite or which tv mom from the 70's, 80's or 90's is your favorite, would be great. I could never understand a thread that asks which character do you prefer over one other character when there are so many characters to choose from. If the thread were which mom is better: Clair Huxtable or Roseanne? or Ann Romano vs. June Cleaver...get what I mean. It's apples and oranges.

Any show that had a woman as the star to me is ground-breaking. Now, if movies would follow suit, that would be awesome.

I just love irene because shes always in roseannes corner and always puts things far better in words than i could! glad theres still a roseanne fan out there that knows their stuff! ;)

I just love irene because shes always in roseannes corner and always puts things far better in words than i could! glad theres still a roseanne fan out there that knows their stuff! ;)
I just love Roseanne. But I love other women stars as well. They are all different, have their own style and just like you coffield, make me laugh. :lol:

I know you love Roseanne too. I love the Ann Romano character, but I couldn't say who was the better mother. They each had their faults, they each had a unique way of dealing with their daughters, they each WERE DIFFERENT. I couldn't say who was better tv mom.

I nominate Peg Bundy for best TV Mom of all time. :lol:

I nominate Peg Bundy for best TV Mom of all time. :lol:
There you go!!!!!! :lol: Don't even offer a comparison or give us an option...JUST SAY IT! :rofl:

Sorry i wasnt putting you down has just a roseanne fan, i just was saying from me thanks because most things you say i agree, no im not being a ass wipe.:)

Sorry i wasnt putting you down has just a roseanne fan, i just was saying from me thanks because most things you say i agree, no im not being a ass wipe.:)
Sweetie, I got what you said. No misunderstanding here at all. :wave: :D

I just love Roseanne. But I love other women stars as well. They are all different, have their own style and just like you coffield, make me laugh. :lol:

I know you love Roseanne too. I love the Ann Romano character, but I couldn't say who was the better mother. They each had their faults, they each had a unique way of dealing with their daughters, they each WERE DIFFERENT. I couldn't say who was better tv mom.
There are all sorts of polls on this board. It seems fair enough, and it doesn't matter if they were different eras and in different situations. People are voting, posting and seem interested. I guess that's what counts. Just like the other thread, comparing Roseanne, Fresh Prince and Home Improvement...people like to compare.

There are all sorts of polls on this board. It seems fair enough, and it doesn't matter if they were different eras and in different situations. People are voting, posting and seem interested. I guess that's what counts. Just like the other thread, comparing Roseanne, Fresh Prince and Home Improvement...people like to compare.
Yes, I realize that, but at least with that thread comparing the three shows you mentioned, those were three shows that are showing (or will be showing)on N@N. That was a common denominator. I realize I may be the minority in my opinion but that is what it is.

Yes, I realize that, but at least with that thread comparing the three shows you mentioned, those were three shows that are showing (or will be showing)on N@N. That was a common denominator. I realize I may be the minority in my opinion but that is what it is.
I think people are responding favorably to this thread because it involves two mothers of very popular shows.

Who's Ann Romano? :confused:

I was wondering that myself, but knowing how Roseanne butchered the National Anthem in 1990 before a baseball game, I knew who to vote for. :D

Sweetie, I got what you said. No misunderstanding here at all. :wave: :D
;)

I think a thread abt which tv mom overall is your favorite or which tv mom from the 70's, 80's or 90's is your favorite, would be great. I could never understand a thread that asks which character do you prefer over one other character when there are so many characters to choose from. If the thread were which mom is better: Clair Huxtable or Roseanne? or Ann Romano vs. June Cleaver...get what I mean. It's apples and oranges.

Any show that had a woman as the star to me is ground-breaking. Now, if movies would follow suit, that would be awesome.
Very true that would be groundbreaking. Here are the following women who were stars, top billing that were groundbreaking:
Marlo Thomas - That Girl (The first single woman trying to make it on her own)

Mary Tyler Moore - The Mary Tyler Moore Show (First single career woman who was not defined by having a man)

Valerie Harper - Rhoda (First female where we openly see struggle with her weight and self-esteem and losing the weight. Plus Rhoda was groundbreaking of sorts where the audience saw her meet her man finally, date, get engaged, married, separate, and divorce (all we see was her getting the paper that the divorce was final), and coping with being single again while plucking out a career)

Bonnie Franklin - One Day At A Time (TV's first struggling divorcee who were raising two teenage daugters and working)

Roseanne - Roseanne (TV's first blue collar mom)

Linda Lavin - Alice (TV's first lower working class widow while raising a son in an one bedroom apartment while she took the sofabed and he took the bedroom)

Yes, I agree that a woman lead on a series is good but what makes it better is when the lead paved the way for other women in the world. Those characters tapped into the climate of the country at the time and they saw the way was paved for them.

Very true that would be groundbreaking. Here are the following women who were stars, top billing that were groundbreaking:
Marlo Thomas - That Girl (The first single woman trying to make it on her own)

Mary Tyler Moore - The Mary Tyler Moore Show (First single career woman who was not defined by having a man)

Valerie Harper - Rhoda (First female where we openly see struggle with her weight and self-esteem and losing the weight. Plus Rhoda was groundbreaking of sorts where the audience saw her meet her man finally, date, get engaged, married, separate, and divorce (all we see was her getting the paper that the divorce was final), and coping with being single again while plucking out a career)

Bonnie Franklin - One Day At A Time (TV's first struggling divorcee who were raising two teenage daugters and working)

Roseanne - Roseanne (TV's first blue collar mom)

Linda Lavin - Alice (TV's first lower working class widow while raising a son in an one bedroom apartment while she took the sofabed and he took the bedroom)

Yes, I agree that a woman lead on a series is good but what makes it better is when the lead paved the way for other women in the world. Those characters tapped into the climate of the country at the time and they saw the way was paved for them.
Awesome post!!!! This is great and a great way of describing some major "firsts" and they are all by women! :D Truly groundbreaking indeed. That is television history no matter what others may say, it is fact.

well with those two choices i'd go w/Anne Ramano... but imho the best TV moms of all-time are Elyse Keaton on "Family Ties" and Maggie Seavers on "Growing Pains", since my mother wasn't divorced like Anne or pverty stricken like Roseanne

Very true that would be groundbreaking. Here are the following women who were stars, top billing that were groundbreaking:
Marlo Thomas - That Girl (The first single woman trying to make it on her own)

Mary Tyler Moore - The Mary Tyler Moore Show (First single career woman who was not defined by having a man)

Valerie Harper - Rhoda (First female where we openly see struggle with her weight and self-esteem and losing the weight. Plus Rhoda was groundbreaking of sorts where the audience saw her meet her man finally, date, get engaged, married, separate, and divorce (all we see was her getting the paper that the divorce was final), and coping with being single again while plucking out a career)

Bonnie Franklin - One Day At A Time (TV's first struggling divorcee who were raising two teenage daugters and working)

Roseanne - Roseanne (TV's first blue collar mom)

Linda Lavin - Alice (TV's first lower working class widow while raising a son in an one bedroom apartment while she took the sofabed and he took the bedroom)

Yes, I agree that a woman lead on a series is good but what makes it better is when the lead paved the way for other women in the world. Those characters tapped into the climate of the country at the time and they saw the way was paved for them.


don't forget "Julia" with Dihann Carroll, talk about groundbreaking!

don't forget "Julia" with Dihann Carroll, talk about groundbreaking!
Thanks for reminding me. She definitely is the first African American widow woman on television.

Awesome post!!!! This is great and a great way of describing some major "firsts" and they are all by women! :D Truly groundbreaking indeed. That is television history no matter what others may say, it is fact.
Thanks so much Irene for the encouragement.

Here are some more groundbreaking females on television:

Mary Tyler Moore made a statement in her portrayal of Laura Petrie on The Dick Van Dyke Show that it is OK to wear pants whle doing housework. That was an issue when the show began of her wearing capri slacks around the house. But Mary stood her ground on that by stating that housewives don't wear pearls and dresses around the house while cleaning. It was stated that she can wear them for one scene but it wasn't long that she was wearing them quite a bit in more than one scene per episode.

Meredith Baxter Birney - Family Ties (First TV mom who worked from home. Remember she was a free lance architect who worked from home. That was about 10 years ahead of its time. Now more people are working from home.)

Hope Lange - The New Dick Van Dyke Show (First TV mom who had a late in life pregnancy. In TNDVDS the character Hope played had another child. They had a preteen and a teenager already.)

well with those two choices i'd go w/Anne Ramano... but imho the best TV moms of all-time are Elyse Keaton on "Family Ties" and Maggie Seavers on "Who's the Boss"... i personally can't relate to either Anne or Roseanne because my parent's are not divorced nor did my family grow up in poverty.

Maggie Seaver was on Growing Pains, btw

Maggie Seaver was on Growing Pains, btw

yeah i knew that, just a slip of the proverbial tounge.

Ann was winning when I got bored and stopped reading. What sayeth some of the current crowd?