View Full Version : In hindsight, was Roseanne Barr as a comic, overrated?
What I mean is that her act essentially boiled down to her putting on annoying whiny voice, and calling housewives "domestic goddesses". But she was seen as seen as a maverick and brilliant social commentator because female comics at the time were typically thin, pretty and glamorous. And Roseanne dare I say, presented the image of a fat slob in a button down shirt and jeans.
Roseanne when she started her show does deserve credit, for having the gumption surrounding herself with quality producers, talented writers and supporting cast members. It wasn't until until the last few seasons when she started pulling rank and turned the series into a gigantic train wreck (https://web.archive.org/web/20061031125331/http://www.jumptheshark.com/r/roseanne.htm). This is what likely made the Roseanne show standout among other sitcoms starring late '80s comics (who had the tiniest bit of buzz regardless of actual talent).
RetroGuy2000 05-30-2018, 12:39 AM Yes, Roseanne was a bit overrated as a comic. Still, it was great seeing a woman making headway in what was definitely a man's world.
Her show was brilliant... at least, most of the years were. And Roseanne deserves credit not only for being funny, but also becoming a very good sitcom actress: think of the episode where Roseanne Conner's dad dies; could First Season Roseanne Barr have ever have pulled that off? I think not.
And yes, Season 9 was definitely an unmitigated train wreck.
RobMac 05-30-2018, 10:55 AM The producers literally caught lightning in a bottle with ROSEANNE. Brilliant writing, brilliant casting, and a premise that went against the grain of what was popular at the time. It’s not hard at all to see why the show hit it big.
tlc38tlc38 05-30-2018, 11:00 AM As a comic, yes, she was overrated...but "Roseanne" the show wasn't. The ensemble cast was one of the best in TV history.
Same could be said about Bill Cosby. As a comic he was overrated but "The Cosby Show"'s cast was brilliantly talented.
RobMac 05-30-2018, 12:26 PM As a comic, yes, she was overrated...but "Roseanne" the show wasn't. The ensemble cast was one of the best in TV history.
Same could be said about Bill Cosby. As a comic he was overrated but "The Cosby Show"'s cast was brilliantly talented.
I can’t quite go that far. Cosby’s material in a lesser comic’s hands would be banal. With Cosby’s delivery and timing, he made “clean” funny in a way that wasn’t dorky.
Wawwie 05-30-2018, 12:45 PM The best sitcom that starred a comedian was "Seinfeld" in my opinion. That show was pure gold and "Seinfeld" never had an awful season like "Roseanne's" season 9. Seinfeld was perfect throughout the entire run. And Jerry Seinfeld knew when to end his show on a high note.
Babalu 05-30-2018, 12:51 PM When Roseanne Barr first came on the scene as a comedian I though she was hilarious, but by the time she got her own show I was sick of her. Eventually, when she teamed up with the repulsive Tom Arnold, I couldn't stand the sight of her.
icecream 05-30-2018, 12:56 PM The best sitcom that starred a comedian was "Seinfeld" in my opinion. That show was pure gold and "Seinfeld" never had an awful season like "Roseanne's" season 9. Seinfeld was perfect throughout the entire run. And Jerry Seinfeld knew when to end his show on a high note.Seinfeld was good, but my favorite show starring a comedian was Home Improvement. One of the best family comedies ever made.
Sean Conner 05-31-2018, 12:52 AM As a comedian I think she was but there's no question she created one of the more influential family sitcoms of the last 50 years. Still, that show had a lot of great writing.
Impressions 05-31-2018, 06:39 PM Well, yeah, it's easy to say now that she is an overrated comic, given her recent "jokes," which were clearly not jokes but racist hate speech. She really has jumped on the deep end since Roseanne, actually, just downright mentally ill.
But even before the show started, I think she was overrated. All she really had was the domestic goddess schtick. If it weren't for the ensemble cast, the writers, and ABC, she probably wouldn't be as famous as she is today.
Chocolate Moose 06-01-2018, 12:23 PM I think so.
douglasjc 06-03-2018, 07:43 AM I do not think she was overrated in fact she is a legend. Yes what I found those comments to deplorable. The same way I found trump and Hillary to be deplorable people. You can attack her all you want but it stands while you write your remarks she has far more money then you ever dream. I am insulted by Chris Rocks remarks about white children. Yet the first amendment guarantees freedom of speech so you have the right to be a jerk. Some of you like Jerry Steinfeld well he just said comedy is dead: https://bbook.com/news/jerry-seinfeld-thinks-comedy-is-dead-6082015/
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Edward216 07-04-2018, 03:20 AM I do not think she was overrated in fact she is a legend. Yes what I found those comments to deplorable. The same way I found trump and Hillary to be deplorable people. You can attack her all you want but it stands while you write your remarks she has far more money then you ever dream. I am insulted by Chris Rocks remarks about white children. Yet the first amendment guarantees freedom of speech so you have the right to be a jerk. Some of you like Jerry Steinfeld well he just said comedy is dead: https://bbook.com/news/jerry-seinfeld-thinks-comedy-is-dead-6082015/
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Just because Roseanne Barr has far more money than I will "ever dream" doesn't mean she has any class or talent. Because she has none of that. And without that (even with it) money means nothing.
Ed.
Edward216 07-04-2018, 03:25 AM Yes absolutely. Roseanne Barr is totally 100% overrated. She's never been at all funny.
Ed.
douglasjc 10-19-2018, 03:08 AM well it goes with saying humans are the most nastiest and jealous entities. All of you are so perfect that you never said anything rude or mean to others. If you said never THEN YOU ARE LYING. Now you claim she was overrated perhaps but know this she will have more fame and money then you will ever see. Her Television show made TV history. The connors will be lucky if it reaches Archie Bunker Place or FLO status
douglasjc 10-19-2018, 03:09 AM Actually In this planet money is power
Lorimar Television 10-21-2018, 04:02 PM Lmao ok then
Wawwie 10-21-2018, 06:38 PM Yes absolutely. Roseanne Barr is totally 100% overrated. She's never been at all funny.
Ed.
She sure ain't no Lucille Ball. That's a comedic legend.
douglasjc 10-21-2018, 09:54 PM I am Lucille Ball was not clean with regards to her mouth. She was protected and there was no social media around
Wawwie 10-23-2018, 06:52 PM I am Lucille Ball was not clean with regards to her mouth. She was protected and there was no social media around
This sentence makes NO sense. Try again.
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