The spinoff series The Conners has often tread lightly around the controversial conclusion of its predecessor, Roseanne. However, the Christmas episode of Season 4 introduced a notably dark joke related to Roseanne’s tragic off-screen demise. As The Conners gears up for Season 7, which will mark its conclusion, it’s worth revisiting the show’s origins. Beginning as Roseanne in 1988, the sitcom chronicled the lives of a working-class family and their sharp-witted matriarch. While it enjoyed massive popularity throughout the 1990s, the series suffered a precipitous decline in its final season—a season so poorly received that it was effectively erased from the storyline in the 2017 revival.
Despite its initial strong ratings, the revival came to an abrupt end following the firing of Roseanne Barr due to her controversial social media posts. The narrative was then shifted to focus on the grieving family left behind, leading to the creation of The Conners. This transition aimed to explore how the family coped with Roseanne’s opioid overdose death. Navigating a show without its titular character is a significant challenge, and The Conners attempted a unique approach to address this sensitive subject matter.
Dark Humor in The Conners’ Christmas Episode
Children’s Casual Remarks on Dan’s Mattress
From the outset, The Conners exhibited a grim fascination with Roseanne’s death, particularly in Season 1, which captured the family’s immediate reactions to the tragedy. This approach led to what could be considered one of the most audaciously bleak sitcom openings in television history. However, as the series progressed, efforts were made to move past this fixation. By Season 3, the show seemed intent on rewriting the family dynamics as though Roseanne had never existed, a direction that contributed to struggles in Season 4.
In the episode titled “Yard Sale, Phone Fail, and a College Betrayal,” a strikingly morbid joke arose that mocked their matriarch’s death. Earlier in the series, Jackie expressed her concerns about Louise’s relationship with Dan, fearing she was trying to replace her sister. Yet, by the time of Louise and Dan’s wedding in Season 4, the topic of Roseanne was conspicuously absent.
Navigating the Legacy of Roseanne
Oscillation Between Somberness and Insensitivity
In a jarring moment, Becky, Darlene, and DJ played a game of rock-paper-scissors over the mattress where they were conceived—and where Roseanne died. Such flippant remarks starkly illustrate the tonal imbalance the show faced when addressing the legacy of its iconic lead. Notably, Dan and Louise’s wedding was devoid of any mention of Roseanne, followed shortly by moments of ridicule regarding her death as the family discussed disposing of their inherited possessions.
References to Roseanne often swung between being overly sentimental and strikingly harsh. The family’s flippant treatment of the mattress associated with her demise starkly contrasts with their earlier sentimentality, exposing a disconnect in how they remembered her. While Jackie and Darlene’s Thanksgiving conversations about Roseanne’s effects on their relationship offered some depth, much of the series struggled to find a cohesive tone.
| Cast Member | Character |
|---|---|
| John Goodman | Dan Conner |
| Laurie Metcalf | Jackie Harris-Goldufski |
| Sara Gilbert | Darlene Conner-Olinsky |
| Lecy Goranson | Becky Conner-Healy |
| Kate Sagal | Louise Conner |
| Emma Kenney | Harris Conner-Healy |
| Ames McNamara | Mark Conner-Healy |
A Memorable Joke from The Conners’ Christmas Episode
Darlene Suggests Roseanne is in Hell
Despite its flaws, The Conners Season 4’s Christmas episode delivered some clever humor. The family reached a decision to dispose of their furniture, prompting Dan to laugh, saying it would end up in “Heaven.” To this, Becky cleverly quipped, implying if the smoke drifted down to Hell, at least Roseanne would regain her furniture. This darkly humorous take aligns well with the show’s intricate sense of irony and reflect its roots in sardonic family humor.
During its peak, Roseanne revolutionized the family sitcom genre, offering a candid and unvarnished view of domestic life compared to the more sanitized portrayals seen in shows like Full House and The Cosby Show. This paved the way for more raw depictions of familial challenges, influencing future shows such as Malcolm in the Middle and The Simpsons. Becky’s biting joke about her mother exemplifies that same sharp wit, standing in contrast to the generally callous treatment of Roseanne’s death earlier in the episode.
Doubtful Premise of Dan’s Christmas Story
Illogical Removal of Furniture
While the Christmas episode’s twist added comedic value, Dan’s plan to burn furniture shared with Roseanne lacked authenticity. The Conners, characterized by their working-class lifestyle, would certainly find it impractical to torch furniture that still held significant financial value. Such actions beg the question of the sincerity of their attempt at a fresh start.
As The Conners approaches its conclusion with an anticipated six-episode farewell event, scheduled for March 2025, it faces an opportunity to embrace meaningful exploration of family dynamics.
Ultimately, the show’s strength shines when it addresses the challenges of working-class America while maintaining empathy among its characters. Emphasizing the gravity of Roseanne’s ending without reducing it to mere punchlines could enhance the heartfelt essence that the series often portrayed.
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Source: TVLine
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