The Conners Brought Back Roseanne’s Secret Weapon
Few comedy shows take on harsh realities like the job market, but Roseanne was unflinching in its depiction of working-class life and The Conners has proven that the show can keep this spirit alive in season 4. Both shows have won critical praise for their content and themes, addressing everything from family dynamics to personal relationships. However, it is the economic angle explored on-screen that remains The Conners biggest asset.
The Conners has not always had an easy time following up Roseanne. The family sitcom was retooled in 2018 after its former star Roseanne Barr was fired for racist remarks made on Twitter and her title character was killed off. Since then, everything from Jackie’s relationship with the Conners after her sister’s death to the show’s limited references to Roseanne herself has caused consternation. The Conners has made an admirable stab at keeping the tone of Roseanne in the new series but, as with any show replacing its title character, the sitcom had not had an easy time of this.
Related: Jackie Is The Best Solution To The Conners’ Annoying Harris Plot-Hole
However, despite these difficulties, The Conners has managed to maintain Roseanne’s (relatively) realistic depiction of working-class life and this has proven the show’s saving grace on numerous occasions. For example, the primary plotline of ”Big Negotiations and Broken Expectations” (season 4, episode 17) sees Darlene accidentally quitting her job when she and her boss both demand raises, threaten to leave, and are immediately dismissed on the spot. Although The Conners has always taken on working-class issues, this storyline, in particular, nailed Roseanne’s commitment to discussing the ins and outs of work itself without sugarcoating
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