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‘The Conners’ are preparing to say goodbye: ‘We can’t fully grasp that it’s over’

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If you’re getting a familiar, recurring feeling as we bid farewell to the Conners, it’s only natural since we’ve found ourselves in this situation multiple times before.

For the first time, “Roseanne,” a popular sitcom about the humorous struggles of a close but contentious working-class family from Lanford, Ill., ended its nine-season run in 1997. The show revolved around comedian Roseanne Barr, who portrayed the witty and tough-hearted Conner matriarch. It was a massive success for ABC, consistently ranking among TV’s top 5 shows for its first six seasons, even reaching No. 1 during its second season, edging out “The Cosby Show” which previously held the ratings crown.

In March 2018, twenty-one years after its initial run, ABC brought back “Roseanne” for a popular revival (essentially its tenth season), reuniting the original cast: Roseanne Barr, John Goodman (Dan), Sara Gilbert (Darlene), Lecy Goranson (Becky), Michael Fishman (D.J.), and Laurie Metcalf (Jackie). The premiere attracted a massive audience of 27.3 million viewers, prompting ABC to renew the show for an eleventh season just three days later. However, in an unexpected turn of events, Barr’s racist tweet led to the cancellation of the show, effectively ending its return prematurely and seemingly marking another farewell for the Conners.

Executive producer Bruce Helford reminisces about an unusual discussion he had with Channing Dungey (then-President of ABC Entertainment Group). She expressed regret, saying, “We can’t go on as planned, given what transpired.” To which Helford responded, “It’s a shame we didn’t title the show ‘Darlene’ instead.” Dungey replied, “Let’s catch up later.

Following this, Helford and executive producers Bruce Rasmussen and Dave Caplan were given approval to develop “The Conners,” which debuted on October 16, 2018. As Rasmussen explains, “It wasn’t as if we suddenly produced a magic trick. We had the most extraordinary cast in the world, so we simply removed one problematic individual from the equation. I’ll put it plainly.

Television

On the 29th of May, it was anticipated that the day would mark a crucial juncture in the reboot journey of ABC’s “Roseanne.

The spin-off show centered around the same family living in their Lanford home, continuing their working-class lifestyle, but now coping with the loss of matriarch Roseanne, who tragically passed away due to an opioid overdose. Although Roseanne Barr was no longer involved, the producers smartly didn’t eliminate the character from the storyline and instead kept her spirit alive through the Conners, keeping her memory very much a part of their lives.

Caplan elaborates, “We chose to follow each character and envision how their lives might evolve without the matriarch at the center.” It required some brainstorming sessions to determine the approach and subsequently hold our breath, hoping for a positive audience reaction. Fortunately, it resonated with them.

For ABC, “The Conners” provided an opportunity to carry on a narrative that started in 1988. As we’ve watched Becky and Darlene progress from ’80s kids to parents, they’ve navigated careers, family, and various life hurdles – showcasing the growth of the Conner family over time. According to Simran Sethi, president of scripted programming for Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment, “The Conners have shown us that it’s not about material possessions, but about the people we cherish.

Team members involved in both acting and creativity shared insights (via video calls and emails) about the significant themes of the series, standout guest performers that impressed them, and their emotional experiences during the final goodbyes.

Throughout its TV series, ‘The Conners’ has delved into themes such as domestic violence, substance abuse, sexuality, gender identity, and racial issues. In the opening episode of Season 7, the show revisited Roseanne’s opioid overdose death, with Jackie considering filing a lawsuit, while Dan was reluctant to reopen old emotional scars.

The tale of opioids resurfaced as a result of the Supreme Court’s decision. They overturned the rule granting immunity to opioid manufacturers, enabling individuals to file lawsuits once more.

Rasmussen: The timing is quite unexpected, as the event we described hadn’t occurred at the time of writing. Yet, it has now unfolded in a way that perfectly aligns with the narrative we set for the season. It’s truly astonishing.

In my perspective, having a well-established backstory for characters like Dan and Jackie greatly simplifies the process of telling their story. This is because the audience can follow along more easily, even if they’re not familiar with all the details. Moreover, the rich history between these characters adds an intriguing layer that keeps the audience engaged, reducing the need for extensive exposition.

Metcalf: The series skillfully transitions from comical sequences to intense moments, which, though scarce, are immensely gratifying to perform as they add depth to the portrayed family dynamics.

Rasmussen: All these problems pertain to the working class, topics seldom addressed in television productions. The heartland has been overlooked for numerous reasons, but each episode addressing it was captivating to me since such programs are becoming increasingly rare.

Television

Discussing the debut episode of “The Conners” in Season 3, Laurie Metcalf and Lecy Goranson share their thoughts as they became part of ABC’s initial comedy productions since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even though the main cast members have portrayed their characters since 1988, they still encountered unexpected moments as the Conner family members continued on with their unique life paths.

Metcalf: I found it delightful how the writers portrayed Jackie’s marriage [with Neville, played by Nat Faxon, in the Season 4 finale]. Given Jackie’s past, it wasn’t expected that she could have a fulfilling relationship, but in the end, Jackie received her well-deserved happy ending.

Gilbert: Over the past eight seasons, I’ve learned a great deal, largely due to our writers’ insightful visions. The last six episodes of Season 7 seemed more focused on concluding matters and cherishing our time as these characters, rather than discovery.

As a passionate cinephile, let me share a personal reflection: I’ve known this fellow named Dan, but our bond grew to such an extent that I found myself inviting him into my home. It was then I had to remind myself that our connection wasn’t confined to the realm of fiction. I tried to shake it off, but the intensity of it left me unsettled at this stage in life. I guess it stems from my deep-seated empathy for people; it’s just that breaking ties with someone you care about so deeply is never easy. It’s a challenging goodbye.

In Gorans’ own words: What I admire about Becky is her ability to navigate life at any stage. Here she is, a mother unexpectedly, following a one-night stand. Later, she encounters this wonderful man [Tyler, portrayed by Sean Astin, who debuted in Season 5]. The complexities of their relationship are heightened by his sobriety.

The lives of the Conner family took unexpected paths, with events unfolding in intriguing ways, such as Dan, their patriarch, finding love and marrying musician and bartender Louise (Katey Sagal) in Season 4. Even Goodman was taken aback by how well this relationship seemed to fit.

Goodman remarked, “Katey is unique in her own way. I believe there was no one else who could’ve pulled this off as smoothly as she did. It seems Dan was eager for some freedom, but Katey’s charm made us click instantly.

For others, the twists included themes about addiction and acceptance of who they are.

Gorans’ On: Becky’s odyssey as a battler against alcohol addiction has proven quite intriguing. It appears that addiction keeps renewing itself, as one remains hyper-vigilant regarding one’s habits and inclinations.

Ames McNamara (Mark, Darlene’s sincere son): I truly valued how the show allowed Mark to uncover his true identity. It was crucial for the storyline to portray Mark as a young boy who enjoyed wearing girls’ clothes, which felt genuine and authentic. Even as Mark transitioned from skirts to vintage cardigans and button-downs, that initial sense of truthfulness remained as he continued to explore himself further.

One memorable incident involving Emma Kenney (Darlene’s determined daughter, Harris) was when she attempted to live independently. However, she eventually discovered that her true home was with her loved ones. Fundamentally, she remains a Conner and ultimately, her family holds the greatest significance in her life.

According to Helford, rather than the typical multi-year deal, they opted for an arrangement where they would commit to just one year at a time. Surprisingly, each year saw everyone eagerly renewing their contracts to continue with the series.

In all years but the sixth, we composed our work as if it were our final opportunity. It was during the sixth year that we did not approach it as our last chance, which is why an additional seventh year became necessary.

Gilbert: A significant factor was our enjoyment of the tales we could share, but let’s be honest, a major part was the sheer joy we derived from being together. Our days were filled with laughter and fun, and I truly miss that camaraderie. It’s a substantial void not spending time with the cast and crew on a regular basis anymore.

Goodman: I’m puzzled about this year’s developments. I assumed ABC or Disney had sufficient resources, given their past seasons which varied from 11 to 22 episodes. It seems that corporations running studios prioritize shareholders over the audience, and that might be the reason for the changes.

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1. Seth Green plays the role of Chad, a friend of Darlene’s, in Season 7.

2. Lecy Goranson and Nick Offerman appear as Adam in Season 6.

3. Whoopi Goldberg is cast as Ms. Glen, Mark’s music teacher, in Season 5.

4. John Goodman and Christopher Lloyd are featured as Lou, Mark’s contrabassoon teacher, in Season 4.

5. Laurie Metcalf and Candice Bergen take on the roles of Barb, Ben’s mother, in Season 3.

A multitude of notable guests graced the stage, leaving the performers and creators – who are celebrities in their respective fields – utterly astonished.

Jay R. Ferguson (Ben, Darlene’s former boss and husband): I was absolutely awestruck by the iconic Candice Bergen [who portrayed Ben’s mother Barb in Season 3]. I found it captivating to listen to her tales, particularly about her tenure as the first female host on “SNL” and the first person to host twice.

Caplan stated that Dan Aykroyd made an appearance, which was a significant moment for him. They advised, “Avoid shaking his hand; he dislikes it.” However, Caplan decided to disrupt Aykroyd’s comfort zone and insisted on shaking his hand anyway.

This season, it was terrific to work with Jane Lynch. Her ability to deliver lines is simply captivating. Additionally, having Seth Green on set was a delight, as we go back a long way from our teenage years. It made the whole experience even more special to conclude the show with someone I’ve known and admired since the initial run.

During our premiere last season, Nick Offerman stepped in and played a character reminiscent of Gordon Ramsay. The part was challenging because it required portraying such a persona. Interestingly, many of us on set share a dry sense of humor, yet Offerman effortlessly excelled. Additionally, Whoopi Goldberg delivered an outstanding performance, while Jane Curtin left us all in awe.

McNamara: Paul Reubens, Christopher Lloyd, and many others are worth noting. However, I’d like to particularly highlight Sean Astin, who feels more like family to us now. Sean is an incredibly kind soul, and his presence on set always brought a positive vibe.

When the show ended, what items from the famous Conners’ living room (the iconic couch), the worn-out afghan, and the kitchen setup did the cast members get to keep?

Metcalf: Two of my coffee mugs are from the same set, and just looking at them takes me back to numerous occasions when I’d walk in through the mud room, beeline for the coffee maker, and fill one of those mugs. They make for a wonderful prop – extremely practical!

Goranson: I took some of Becky’s comfort clothes like an old jersey.

Goodman: I took a garden gnome from the kitchen. It had no business being there anyway.

Gilbert: All those items such as the couch, afghan, kitchen, living room set, and some wall plates from the kitchen’s archway are now in Carsey Werner’s storage. I grabbed a few plates and the house address with its individual numbers. I need to put them up in frames.

In its last and concluding run, ‘The Conners‘ consists of merely six episodes. Did these manage to tie up all loose ends satisfactorily?

Gilbert: I’m content with our current situation. Instead of spreading it out over an entire season, we chose to work within a smaller timeframe, which felt a bit like producing a mini-series. If we had more episodes, the narrative would have been structured differently. We focused on one concept and developed it consistently across the six episodes, a strategy that might not have been possible in a longer season.

In the Helford production, we managed to pull everything together. Occasionally, due to additional episodes, we found ourselves crafting transitional ones. However, some narratives didn’t get as much development as initially planned.

Caplan: It was crucial that we managed our time wisely since the storylines for these characters span quite a while. Bringing everything to a fulfilling end within just six episodes wasn’t easy, but overall, we’re pleased with how well we achieved it.

Emotions were running high when the final episode taped last October.

Gilbert: To be honest, I just couldn’t understand it. Initially, I felt sadness, but then there was this sensation that I couldn’t accept that it had ended. It seemed unrealistic. Laurie and I often discuss it even now. I believe we’re both finding it difficult to accept because it was such a regular part of our lives for so long.

Goodman: It was challenging, but not difficult overall as we managed to complete it. However, ending such an endeavor is tough for me personally. Yet, the enjoyment we derived from it was immense and it’s an experience I’ll cherish forever.

Metcalf expressed that during the final taping, everyone – cast and crew alike – seemed quite fragile because it marked the end of decades-long collaboration. In hindsight, he admitted to experiencing a sense of magical thinking, believing that they’d all reconvene on set as usual come Monday. It has taken him some time to work through these feelings.

In Gorans’ own words: You truly experienced its grandeur and its lasting impact. It was an overwhelmingly moving experience, one that stirred deep emotions within us. Yet, we had to press forward because we couldn’t let our feelings control us. We needed to show resilience, much like Conner, and persevere through it all.

I’ll cherish those intimate backstage moments on tape nights when we were about to be introduced. Every time I’d glance around at our talented cast and all the illustrious guest stars, I couldn’t believe I was there – yet I felt incredibly thankful for being part of it all.

On my eleventh birthday, I began working and continued until I turned seventeen. I still recall vividly stepping onto the stage for our initial reading, although I didn’t fully grasp then that I was becoming part of an extraordinary family.

Regardless of the fact that trouble usually follows happiness in this family, there’s a chance that the two-part series finale, scheduled for April 23, might offer a semblance of a fairy tale ending – if luck is on our side.

As a movie critic, I must say that the closing chapter of this series was nothing short of momentous for us creators. It all began with our quest to rectify past errors, and I truly believe we’ve now found the fitting conclusion. We dared to challenge conventions in the end, and let me tell you, the emotions ran high when we filmed that final episode. There wasn’t a single dry eye among us.

In a manner reminiscent of Conner, it appears you’re using an unfamiliar term; however, I’ll interpret as if referring to the typical American dream of owning a house with a white picket fence in a suburban neighborhood. To clarify, achieving this lifestyle won’t be possible unless it’s deeply within the suburbs. Yet, for those individuals, it certainly seems like a content and fulfilling conclusion.

Gilbert: In our show, we maintain an ongoing Conners-style narrative with a touch of humor. What’s unique about our finale is a climactic scene not typically found in other sitcoms.

Goodman: Perhaps it’s high time for a change, yet, if there was a chance to reunite the band once more, I definitely wouldn’t hesitate.

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2025-04-09 13:33

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