Roseanne

[Overdose]

The reason Roseanne is my favorite television show is because it dealt with every day issues that wouldn’t get solved in a 30-minute time slot. Some of the issues included financial problems, substance abuse, sex, homosexuality, depression and mental and physical abuse. Roseanne talked about these topics while having an extremely believable cast and environment. Having great acting and great topics for each episode and laugh out loud situations and lines makes this my favorite show to date. It is a groundbreaking show that broke all the rules of what a family was supposed to look like on TV and brought taboo topics to our living room.

When I watch Roseanne it gives me a sense of comfort and security knowing that I’m not the only person going through these issues. No wonder Roseanne stayed in the Top 5 most watched shows for 6 years and won many awards. Granted the last season(s) were not very good, but there were at least 6 (maybe more) years of a wonderful show on TV.

What really frustrates me is that because Roseanne had a few mediocre and or bad seasons towards the end of its run, people don’t give it the recognition it deserves. Television shows that had an equal amount of strong seasons, but zero bad seasons, are usually placed higher on lists that rank the best TV shows of all time. If Roseanne had been laid to rest after the 6th or even 7th season it would be regarded far better. It seems critics only care about if a show had an excellent or consistently good entire run on television, even if that entire run was only 5 or 6 seasons worth, which is equal to the amount of excellent and or good seasons Roseanne had. (Did that even make sense?)

Anyway! I love Roseanne. How about you?

[comedyfreak]

It's one of my favorites for not being the typical sitcom, the kids were normal and didn't get along. The show dealt with real issues in a funny way.

[catlover79]

That's very true. That's why the last season, with winning the lottery, did not work. The show lost everything that had made it real. Roseanne was never a favorite show of mine when it was first on the air, but I appreciate it more now because it WAS so like real life.

[JulieSomoski]

That's true, but the last season was also a refreshing change from the rest of the series. It was unpredictable, and was sort of unique. That's why I enjoy the ninth season so much. Besides that, the show was great, with the way it dealt with every day life. If there were different actors playing the characters in this show, it just wouldn't have worked. It obviously didn't work when the changed Beckys, and in my opinion that is why the show fell so badly in the ratings.

[comedyfreak]

I didn't have a problem with the 9th season, I liked the arc about Darlene's baby. The only thing that went too far was the show in which we see Roseanne wearing a vinyl or leather outfit that didn't cover much. I was traumatized after seeing Roseanne's butt.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by comedyfreak

I didn't have a problem with the 9th season, I liked the arc about Darlene's baby. The only thing that went too far was the show in which we see Roseanne wearing a vinyl or leather outfit that didn't cover much. I was traumatized after seeing Roseanne's butt.

[Czas na Zywiec]

I hated season 9. Except for the spa thing with the weird guy breathing behind the woman who was doing the past life regression. That episode I can stand, but most of the others (Trip to that rich family, Dan's affair, the Halloween episode) were awful. I'm not a fan of the first season either, but I would says seasons 2 - 6 were the best years of the show.

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by catlover79

That's very true. That's why the last season, with winning the lottery, did not work. The show lost everything that had made it real. Roseanne was never a favorite show of mine when it was first on the air, but I appreciate it more now because it WAS so like real life.

I agree with Monika. The show lost it when the lottery was won, Jackie became a "man", it was downhill from there.

I appreciate Roseanne for what it brought to television. REALISM. Some people say it won't stand the test of time. Excuse me? How can a show that is REAL not stand the test of time? Shows from the 50's that show perfect families, women wearing pearls, not having financial problems, having a gorgeous perfect house etc. those are the shows that won't stand the test of time.

Roseanne wanted to accomplish something BEFORE her show first aired. I read in a magazine how she wanted her show to last forever like I Love Lucy. She wanted it to be seen as real. She hoped that people could identify with the characters and the situations.

I know for a fact I could identify with Becky. Great student but she was a bratty teen when she didn't get her way. She ran away, she went out with a guy that her family hated, etc. That is what I did and that is something that wasn't shown on any other show. Roseanne set the groundwork for REALISM IN SITCOMS. You could LAUGH AND CRY at her show.

ROSEANNE IS THE BEST!

[Jr1986]

"Roseanne" has always been one of my favorites. I can relate to this show probably more than any other, seeing as where I grew up, being lower-middle class was the norm. This is also that rare show where no matter how many times I've seen the episode, I can always laugh hysterically, no matter what. The characters also seem far more realistic to me than the average sitcom. It was just an average family leading an average life, and I could (and still can) identify with that. Struggling with money, getting the kids through school, losing a job, late bills, this is life as I know it, so I really identify with this show.

Also, continuity is rare for a sitcom, but Roseanne's continuity between seasons really was amazing for the time, and I love how they didn't always press the re-set button at the end of every single episode. It's also rare where a sitcom can make you genuinely care about the characters. This is most evidenced in "The Miracle" where Darlene gives birth. Its a hard episode to watch, but definately worthwhile. I also really loved when theyu addressed controversial topics, such as being gay, abortion, drugs, premarital sex, abuse, birth control, death of a parent, depression, and many others. That's why I love Roseanne.

[An 80s Guy]

Roseanne is my all-time favorite sitcoms.

[Overdose]

Originally Posted by Jr1986

"Roseanne" has always been one of my favorites. I can relate to this show probably more than any other, seeing as where I grew up, being lower-middle class was the norm. This is also that rare show where no matter how many times I've seen the episode, I can always laugh hysterically, no matter what. The characters also seem far more realistic to me than the average sitcom. It was just an average family leading an average life, and I could (and still can) identify with that. Struggling with money, getting the kids through school, losing a job, late bills, this is life as I know it, so I really identify with this show.

Also, continuity is rare for a sitcom, but Roseanne's continuity between seasons really was amazing for the time, and I love how they didn't always press the re-set button at the end of every single episode. It's also rare where a sitcom can make you genuinely care about the characters. This is most evidenced in "The Miracle" where Darlene gives birth. Its a hard episode to watch, but definately worthwhile. I also really loved when theyu addressed controversial topics, such as being gay, abortion, drugs, premarital sex, abuse, birth control, death of a parent, depression, and many others. That's why I love Roseanne.

Great points!

Roseanne brought realism to viewers and issues that needed to be talked about in the living rooms of all Americans. The show did this while having, in my opinion, the most realistic cast and laugh out loud humor!

Some of the best writing for any sitcom was in Roseanne!

[Ireneparalegal]

The realism is of course the foundation for Roseanne being the best show that came out of the late 80's and secured its place in history into the 90's.

I mentioned on another thread how the kids also didn't have the best of things in life. Too many sitcoms that debuted in the 80's and 90's show all these spoiled kids not knowing what it is like to have hard-working parents, trying to pay the bills, the mortgage, etc. Dan and Roseanne struggled and worried abt things, just like REAL FAMILIES DO. Becky and Darlene didn't wear "designer" clothes or have the best of material things. You can view this show NOW and not have a clue that it came on in the late 80's. Too many shows like Full House have that 80's-90's look to it, simply by looking at the hairstyles and the clothes that were worn. I HATE THAT!!!!!

[coffield3]

Roseanne is the best ever!

[An 80s Guy]

Originally Posted by coffield3

Roseanne is the best ever!

Yup.