Did "The Conners" Write Out Jerry? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 10-29-2020, 07:01 PM

Did "The Conners" Just Officially Erase Jerry from Existence?
by Michael Ausiello
October 29, 2020

Wednesday’s Halloween-themed "The Conners" turned a legacy character into something of a ghost.

In the episode, Becky mentions in passing that she is one of Dan and Roseanne’s three children (with Darlene and D.J. rounding out the trio), seemingly forgetting about her MIA younger brother Jerry Garcia Conner. But instead of correcting her, Dan confirms her assertion, declaring that he and Roseanne “had one favorite and two backups.”

Jerry’s existence was confirmed in the "Roseanne" revival season when Roseanne mentioned him being holed up on a fishing boat in Alaska. As showrunner Bruce Helford explains to TVLine:

“When Roseanne relaunched in 2018 we decided that some of the things from the 8th and 9th seasons wouldn’t apply, as they were either limiting to opening new creative roads for the characters or part of the ‘dream’ period, like winning the lottery. We didn’t really have room to add Jerry Garcia, but we had a soft spot in our hearts for him, so we put him on a fishing boat and said he rarely contacted the family.

As we moved on to The Conners we decided that, with the wonderful additions of Ben, Louise and Emilio, our cast was large enough to do stories for 40 episodes a season, and that since we hadn’t brought him up in three years, we wouldn’t pick up on the narrative of Jerry.”

That said, Helford is not ready to officially draw a line through Jerry (at least not the way he has with Jackie’s son Andy).

“Dan said he only had three children, but is he so angry at Jerry, for something we learn about later, that he denies him as a son?” Helford muses. “We’ll just have to wait and see.”

https://tvline.com/2020/10/29/the-co...eanne-dan-son/

Impressions · 10-29-2020, 11:26 PM

That's a shame because Jerry appeared well before the lottery episodes. They need to bring him back. It seems like D.J. and Jerry are getting the shaft in these revival series. Their storylines are non-existent.

RetroGuy2000 · 10-30-2020, 01:21 AM

I agree: I don't like characters being written out like this. There's no reason for it.

Lorimar Television · 10-30-2020, 03:30 AM

I didnt even notice it!

Bonniegirl · 02-25-2021, 03:40 AM

Yes, funny they would bring back " Little Ed" although very briefly and not Jerry and Andy ! Andy never even got a mention ever !

CJMD03 · 03-12-2021, 01:37 AM

Jerry and Andy don’t exist in this show.

10-29-2020, 07:01 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,136	Did "The Conners" Write Out Jerry? *Did "The Conners" Just Officially Erase Jerry from Existence?* by Michael Ausiello October 29, 2020 Wednesday’s Halloween-themed "The Conners" turned a legacy character into something of a ghost. In the episode, Becky mentions in passing that she is one of Dan and Roseanne’s three children (with Darlene and D.J. rounding out the trio), seemingly forgetting about her MIA younger brother Jerry Garcia Conner. But instead of correcting her, Dan confirms her assertion, declaring that he and Roseanne “had one favorite and two backups.” Jerry’s existence was confirmed in the "Roseanne" revival season when Roseanne mentioned him being holed up on a fishing boat in Alaska. As showrunner Bruce Helford explains to TVLine: “When Roseanne relaunched in 2018 we decided that some of the things from the 8th and 9th seasons wouldn’t apply, as they were either limiting to opening new creative roads for the characters or part of the ‘dream’ period, like winning the lottery. We didn’t really have room to add Jerry Garcia, but we had a soft spot in our hearts for him, so we put him on a fishing boat and said he rarely contacted the family. As we moved on to The Conners we decided that, with the wonderful additions of Ben, Louise and Emilio, our cast was large enough to do stories for 40 episodes a season, and that since we hadn’t brought him up in three years, we wouldn’t pick up on the narrative of Jerry.” That said, Helford is not ready to officially draw a line through Jerry (at least not the way he has with Jackie’s son Andy). “Dan said he only had three children, but is he so angry at Jerry, for something we learn about later, that he denies him as a son?” Helford muses. “We’ll just have to wait and see.” https://tvline.com/2020/10/29/the-co...eanne-dan-son/

10-30-2020, 01:21 AM	#3
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	I agree: I don't like characters being written out like this. There's no reason for it.
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10-30-2020, 03:30 AM	#4
Lorimar Television Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 06, 2007 Posts: 7,034	I didnt even notice it!
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10-29-2020, 11:26 PM	#2
Impressions She died the way she lived Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 08, 2002 Posts: 4,640	That's a shame because Jerry appeared well before the lottery episodes. They need to bring him back. It seems like D.J. and Jerry are getting the shaft in these revival series. Their storylines are non-existent.

02-25-2021, 03:40 AM	#5
Bonniegirl AKA Hazel Horvath Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 10, 2014 Posts: 65,832	Yes, funny they would bring back " Little Ed" although very briefly and not Jerry and Andy ! Andy never even got a mention ever !

03-12-2021, 01:37 AM	#6
CJMD03 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 18, 2018 Posts: 443	Jerry and Andy don’t exist in this show.