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If a Big Book of Sitcom Mistakes to Steer Clear Of is ever written, Roseanne will undoubtedly top the chapter on 'star-driven chaos.' Initially a beloved series portraying the trials of a working-class Midwestern household, it later evolved into a stage for its lead actor's eccentric and often controversial beliefs. Even before Roseanne Barr's multiple personas came to light, tensions and disagreements were brewing behind the scenes. This week's column aims to unravel some of the show's plot inconsistencies, character mysteries, and other unresolved questions.
1. THE REASON ROSEANNE REFUSED TO PARTICIPATE IN HER OWN SHOW (AND WORE A PROTEST ARMBAND).
During the initial stages of her TV series with Carsey-Werner Productions, producer Matt Williams spent days observing Roseanne at home, documenting her family interactions and analyzing her stand-up routines. Despite extensive interviews and collaboration, Roseanne was outraged when the pilot episode credited Williams as the show's 'creator' instead of 'developer,' a title she deemed more fitting. Their relationship grew increasingly strained, culminating in Roseanne boycotting an episode over a single line of dialogue. The episode proceeded without her full participation, featuring her only in the opening and closing scenes, where she wore an armband as a symbol of protest.
The episode titled "An Officer and a Gentleman" focused on Roseanne's absence, with sister Jackie managing the Conner household temporarily. Its success led producer Matt Williams to ask Laurie Metcalf and John Goodman if they would carry on without Roseanne. Both declined and informed Barr, securing her loyalty for the remainder of the series. Williams departed after the first season and later co-created the Tim Allen sitcom
2. THE REASON THE ORIGINAL DJ WAS REPLACED.
Observant fans noticed DJ's appearance changed after the pilot. Initially played by Sal Barone, the character was recast after the 1988 Writers Guild strike. During the hiatus, Barone had grown significantly, raising concerns about his height compared to his on-screen sisters. His mother agreed he was too old for the role and noted conflicts between Barone and Sara Gilbert, who played Darlene. Michael Fishman, resembling Roseanne, was brought in as the new DJ.
3. LET'S DISCUSS KEVIN.
Roseanne first worked with Johnny Galecki on the TV movie Backfield in Motion and was so impressed she cast him as Darlene's love interest, later her husband, on her sitcom. Initially introduced as Mark's younger brother Kevin, the character's name was changed to David after Galecki's previous show, Billy, was canceled. Roseanne had always preferred the name David, and the change was humorously addressed in a later episode where she quipped, "David's not even his real name, Darlene made it up!"
4. THE STORY BEHIND JACKIE'S PREGNANCY.
A notable storyline in Roseanne revolved around Jackie's relationship with Fisher, a younger man who turned out to be abusive. After Fisher assaulted Jackie, Dan ended up in jail for retaliating. Ironically, Laurie Metcalf and Matt Roth, who played Fisher, fell in love on set and later married. Metcalf's real-life pregnancy was incorporated into the show, though somewhat belatedly. In the "Stash from the Past" episode, Jackie's pregnancy wasn't officially announced, but her baby bump was unmistakable as she lounged in the bathtub, lamenting her loneliness. A few episodes later, it was revealed that Jackie became pregnant after a brief encounter with Fred, Dan's coworker.
5. THE ORIGIN OF LIL' JERRY GARCIA.
In Season 7, Roseanne's character revealed her pregnancy, which occurred three months before Roseanne Barr herself conceived through IVF. This timing discrepancy led to the TV character's pregnancy lasting over a year in the show's timeline. In the "Maybe Baby" episode, Roseanne and Dan were told by her doctor that they were expecting a girl after an amniocentesis. However, during a Halloween episode, Roseanne gave birth to a boy named Jerry Garcia Conner. The change was made to align with Barr's real-life son, Buck, and to pay tribute to the late Grateful Dead frontman, Jerry Garcia.
6. ROSEANNE'S PARENTS AND THEIR TAKE ON THE FORCE.
During Roseanne's intense relationship with Tom Arnold, he revealed he had been molested as a child by his babysitter. This confession unlocked suppressed memories for Roseanne, who later publicly shared her own experiences of abuse by her parents from infancy until she left home at 17. This real-life revelation influenced her portrayal of her TV parents, transforming them from quirky to deeply abusive. Initially, Grandpa Al was depicted as a harmless figure with a penchant for jokes and repetitive stories. However, by Season Four, he was reimagined as a cruel disciplinarian who used a razor strop as a threat. Similarly, Mom Bev shifted from a nurturing mother to a neglectful enabler of her husband's harsh behavior.
As we wrap up, there's still much to explore, including the multiple Beckys, Roseanne's evolving appearance due to cosmetic procedures, and the show's bewildering finale. Keep an eye out for part two of our deep dive into the Roseanne saga...
