In hindsight, was Roseanne Barr as a comic, overrated? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 05-30-2018, 12:27 AM

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. 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

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlc38tlc38

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wawwie

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-seinfel...-dead-6082015/

I

Edward216 · 07-04-2018, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by douglasjc

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-seinfel...-dead-6082015/

I

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

05-30-2018, 12:27 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 125,660	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. 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).

05-30-2018, 12:39 AM	#2
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	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.
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05-30-2018, 11:00 AM	#4
tlc38tlc38 Every day’s a Dolly day! Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Location: I’m just travelin’ thru Posts: 19,257	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.
	__________________ Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. Deuteronomy 15:10 In loving memory of my best friend, my Mama.

05-30-2018, 12:51 PM	#7
Babalu Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 22, 2014 Posts: 4,779	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.
	__________________ . I just nailed Mrs. Trumbull

06-01-2018, 12:23 PM	#11
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,888	I think so.
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05-30-2018, 10:55 AM	#3
RobMac Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 16, 2013 Location: Mid-Missouri Posts: 9	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.

05-30-2018, 12:45 PM	#6
Wawwie Member Forum Star Join Date: Jul 26, 2006 Location: New York Posts: 14,376	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.

05-31-2018, 12:52 AM	#9
Sean Conner Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 18, 2011 Location: Lanford, Illinois Posts: 120	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.

05-31-2018, 06:39 PM	#10
Impressions She died the way she lived Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 08, 2002 Posts: 4,640	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.

06-03-2018, 07:43 AM	#12
douglasjc Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 26, 2003 Posts: 318	Overrated-No 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-seinfel...-dead-6082015/ I

07-04-2018, 03:25 AM	#14
Edward216 Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 18, 2014 Location: Central Time Zone Posts: 4,634	Yes absolutely. Roseanne Barr is totally 100% overrated. She's never been at all funny. Ed.

10-19-2018, 03:08 AM	#15
douglasjc Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 26, 2003 Posts: 318	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