Roseanne

What’s the Story?

ROSEANNE is an unusually realistic look at the family life of working-class Americans, bringing to light their challenges in balancing the demands of work and home. The Conners of fictional Lanford, Illinois, are a typical blue-collar family of five living on a tight budget and struggling to keep their heads above water. Dan (John Goodman) works hard to provide for his family, and Roseanne (Roseanne Barr) chips in where she can, taking various minimum-wage jobs at factories and fast-food restaurants. Meanwhile, their three kids -- Becky (Lecy Goranson/Sarah Chalke), Darlene (Sara Gilbert), and DJ (Michael Fishman) -- are growing up, and keeping pace with their changing needs is another full-time job. Roseanne's sister, Jackie (Laurie Metcalf), practically lives with the Conners as well, often requiring as much guidance as the kids.

Is It Any Good?

Roseanne's plotlines can be mature, tackling issues like sex, poverty, homosexuality, and unplanned pregnancy. Characters speak frankly about any and all subjects, and parents will want to preview a few episodes to determine whether their tweens or teens are ready for the subject matter.

As a mother, wise-cracking butt-insky Roseanne personifies "tough love." She domineers her kids and Dan, and she manipulates situations to get her way. Dan often finds himself left out of decisions that involve the household, which leads to heated arguments. But even though she'll never win parent of the year, it's clear that Roseanne's love for her family is her strongest motivation.