Parents' Guide to

Roseanne

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Fun, snarky blue-collar sitcom withstands the test of time.

TV ABC , Syndicated Comedy 1988
Roseanne Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

age 13+

Based on 14 parent reviews

age 13+
1 person found this helpful.
age 13+

Good show, but you have to know your child

This is a hilarious sitcom that shows both the heart and struggles of blue collar life. Despite some sarcasm and rude comments, there are a lot of lessons about family and sacrifice. But there is quite a bit of language and sexual references. The ratings for this show tend to be inconsistent. Some episodes are TV-G, some are TV-PG, and quite a few have been TV-14(DL). Most episodes are family-safe, but there are a few that might require some awkward conversations in the living room.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (14 ):
Kids say (13 ):

The groundbreaking series was the first to offer TV audiences a hyper-realistic look at the family life of working-class Americans. It highlights some of the real concerns Middle America faces, including rising costs, stagnant wages, and the lack of employment opportunities. It also features a strong female lead character who's unapologetic about her body, her domineering personality, and her frank (and sometimes crass) zingers. These character traits created some controversy during the show's first few seasons, but it's impossible to ignore the fact that Roseanne is always motivated by her love for her family.

Classic Roseanne episodes tackle many mature issues, ranging from underage drinking, drug use, and teen sex to domestic violence, child abuse, and falling below the poverty line. The 2018 reboot addresses more contemporary topics, including transgender youth and opioid addiction. It also features the older, wiser, and a little less energetic Dan and Roseanne enjoying their grandchildren while trying to figure out how to afford the rising cost of their prescriptions. But no matter which version of the series you choose to watch, you'll find a fun comedy about the day-to-day antics of a loving, imperfect family trying to do its best.

TV Details

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