https://www.looper.com/926757/fans-identify-the-biggest-differences-between-roseanne-and-the-conners/

Fans think mediocre writing and a different time period affected The Conners

On one of "The Conners" subreddits, u/roseydaisydandy (https://www.reddit.com/r/TheConners/comments/rz7teo/the_conners_is_an_after_school_sitcom_while/) gave their take on the differences between "The Conners” and "Roseanne." "I couldn't figure out why I really wasn't getting into the show like I used to growing up," they commented. "Then I realize the acting is completely different. The jokes are forced, and everyone is goofier in their acting. The storyline doesn't feel real like in the old show. I feel like I'm watching a Full House version of Roseanne." Many agreed, with u/ShikWolf (https://www.reddit.com/r/TheConners/comments/rz7teo/comment/hrtgjbl/) saying, "The [story] arcs had something to say about the state and quality of life for working-class people." The user further explained, "'The Conners' ... is less about depicting reality and more about fanservice and pop culture/current events. The relevance is superficial."

It's also notable that fans had issues with the writing team (https://www.looper.com/923107/why-the-conners-fans-have-big-issues-with-the-writing/), except for Bruce Rasmussen and Sid Youngers. New writers would be coming from a different perspective of what the TV show is about. Many fans also point out that sitcoms were different in the past versus now. Redditor u/Harleye (https://www.reddit.com/r/TheConners/comments/rz7teo/comment/hrvmg8h/) blames both the difference in the time periods and the writers, commenting, "While I agree that culture is different now than it was 20 or 30 years ago, I still think that if the series had better writers and a tighter cast, it would be a better show." Whether better writing would improve the series, or the reason "The Conners" flopped (https://www.looper.com/803943/the-real-reason-the-conners-flopped/) is because it cannot live up to "Roseanne," the show is gearing up for Season 5, so it still has a chance to reach its potential.

I have mentioned this before, but The Connors is very depressing. No one has grown out of their circumstances in what, 25 year gap of the two series? The two daughters have fallen back if anything. Darlene is depressing because she would be the one who was successful.

What would have been good was for Becky to be married to a wealthy man but unhappy in her personal life. They could have also made Darlene successful but with issues. That would have been more interesting writing than the two daughters living at home in their 40's. The American economy has always been challenging but there were some good times in the 1990's and in the 2010's up to Trump's Presidency. They could have had a life.

I still casually watch the show but its a bit of a bummer, I am going through with some things now in my life and when I want to escape by watching TV, I dont want to have to take a Xanax afterwards.

It IS depressing. Not Funny. The best years for Roseanne were seasons 1-3 then something changed and it wasn't the same woman who started the show. The Conners totally are adrift in that sea of depression.