Roseanne was a huge success during its initial run from 1988 to 1997. The sitcom was critically acclaimed for its realistic portrayal of a working-class American family and became one of the highest rated television shows in the early ’90s. Roseanne enjoyed similar success when NBC decided to revive the sitcom in 2018 for season 10, with two further seasons being planned.
These plans never came to fruition, however, since the sitcom was canceled recently. To help you deal with seeing Conners bowing out from TV screens once again, we decided to bring you 10 things you probably didn’t know about Roseanne.
Roseanne Was a Trend-Starter
Roseanne started the trend of giving comedians their own sitcoms. While Roseanne Barr wasn’t the first comedian to make a transition to television, she was by far the most successful one. As a result, Jerry Seinfeld, Tim Allen, Brett Butler, Ellen DeGeneres, Ray Romano and others got their own TV shows.
Original Title
The original title of the show was Life and Stuff. But Roseanne argued that the show should be called by her name, as she was the lead character and show was based on her life.
Show’s Location
The show’s exterior shots are in Evansville, Indiana, not Illinois. Evansville is the birthplace of show’s co-executive producer, Matt Williams.
Ulterior Motives
John Goodman and Laurie Metcalf were cast because of their experience and brilliant acting skills. Roseanne Barr never acted before and producers believed a strong supporting cast would give her the necessary confidence.
Theme Song
The instrumental version of the theme song was used throughout eight seasons. But in ninth and final season, Roseanne got a new theme. Perhaps it was a foreshadowing of a bizarre finale.
Macaulay Culkin
Macaulay Culkin auditioned for the role of D.J. If he had gotten the role, we might have never got the Home Alone movies we know and love today. Instead, Roseanne Barr’s favorite, Michael Fishman, got the role.
No Emmy for Roseanne
While the cast won numerous awards, including Emmys for Outstanding Supporting and Lead Actress, the show itself never won any Emmy nominations or awards.
First Primetime Show to Feature Openly Gay Characters
Barr insisted on having openly gay characters throughout the show. From friends, family members, to co-workers and neighbors. In season eight, there was even a gay marriage. While it may be normal today, it was extremely controversial during the 1990s.
Roseanne Jumpstarted Careers
The show helped Joss Whedon to launch his career as he was only 24 at the time when he wrote episodes for show’s second season. It also helped Amy Sherman-Palladino and Chuck Lore hone their skills.
Ex-Husbands
Roseanne featured all three Roseanne Barr’s ex-husbands. The show was inspired by Barr’s first husband, Bill Pentland and their three children. He played Dan’s buddy in early episodes. Tom Arnold, her second husband, appeared as Arnie Thomas. Ben Thomas, third husband and former bodyguard, played a cop on the sitcom.
