Trying to get through a crazy, messed up world with "The Conners"

“The Conners” is a spin-off of the popular sitcom, “Roseanne”, which ran from 1988 until 1997. The show follows the family after the death of Roseanne’s character (for those of you not familiar with the controversy surrounding Roseanne Barr, she was fired due to her posting a racist and offensive tweet).

I was a fan of “Roseanne” and initially, I wasn’t interested in watching the spin-off. I didn’t believe the show would survive without Roseanne Barr, so I didn’t give it a chance.

Fast forward to six years later, and the show is gearing up for its seventh (and last) season. It started appearing on The Comedy Network (where I always watch reruns of “Friends” and “The Big Bang Theory”) and I decided to give it a chance.

I’ll admit it was strange not to see Roseanne Barr on my screen, but I started binge-watching the show and was instantly a fan. Side note: I have watched Seasons 1-5, and still have to catch up on Season 6.

Here are the reasons why I believe “The Conners” is a great sitcom:

·         Original cast: with the exception of Roseanne Barr, the original cast members, along with their children - Darlene’s two children – Mark and Harris, DJ’s daughter Mary, and Becky’s daughter Beverly Rose - add an extra layer of humor and authenticity to the show.

·         “The Conners” continues with its storylines on working class families, and the hardships and realities they deal with, such as addiction, mental health, and economic struggles.

·         The chemistry between the characters: they don’t miss a beat, and their combination of sarcasm and humor really make my day! The sibling rivalry and affection between sisters Becky (Alicia Goranson) and Darlene (Sara Gilbert) is a prime example of the rapport between the actresses – I look forward to their exchanges, in every episode!

·         Dan Conner (John Goodman) has stepped up as a central character and father figure, and is supportive of his children, grandchildren, and of course, Jackie. Dan represents the average hard-working American, who deals with what life throws at him. He eventually marries Louise, (played by the ever-lovely Katy Sagal) and the chemistry just works with them, and she’s a wonderful addition to the family.

·         Jackie Harris (Laurie Metcalf) Roseanne’s younger and vulnerable sister begins the series as Lanford's Leading Life Coach, but then eventually decides to run the Lunch Box with Becky. Her sharp humor and growth are authentic, and one can certainly relate to the heartaches Jackie has endured.

·         Jackie’s mother Beverly (Estelle Parsons) – enough said! This woman is hilarious, and the bickering between her and Jackie is not to be missed. Here’s an example of her quick wit, when she is speaking to her daughter Jackie: "If you're dating a man and he doesn't have a job, I want you to bring him over here so I can tell him to his face that he’s a loser."

·         Ben Olicksy (Jay R. Ferguson) is a wonderful addition to the cast. Married to Darlene, he is supportive of her and her family. Ben doesn’t put up with Darlene’s controlling behaviour and pushes back, which is both interesting and amusing to watch. His witty comebacks compliment the family, and he is exactly what the show needed.

The constant banter and the bickering between the characters may seem like a bit much, but ‘The Conners” has shown me they are a family, and they stick together, no matter what.

The show has some flaws, but I’ve overlooked them because I believe everyone needs a distraction from everyday life and I’m happy to say “the Conners” provides that for me.

If you’ve watched “The Conners”, let me know what your thoughts are!