The Conners Fans Can't Help But Cringe Over These References
If you were a prolific sitcom watcher from the late 1980s into the 1990s, chances are "Roseanne" held a special place in your heart at one point or another — if it doesn't still in the modern day. The Roseanne Barr and John Goodman-led series dominated the airwaves during its initial nine-season run, accumulating a following that made it possible for AMC to bring it back in early 2018. However, it's no secret that this triumphant television return quickly fell to pieces, leaving fans of the show immensely disappointed once the fresh batch of nine episodes came and went. Thankfully for them, not all hope was lost.
In the wake of the second "Roseanne" cancelation, ABC chose to keep the world and characters the program spawned around. Known as "The Conners," this "Roseanne" sequel put a spotlight on the titular family in the aftermath of matriarch Roseanne Conner's (Barr) sudden death due to an accidental opioid overdose. Since its premiere in October of 2018, the show has gone on to carve out a television niche all its own, with a fanbase comprised of "Roseanne" holdovers and newcomers alike. While most have supported it throughout its soon-to-be five seasons, they can admit that it's not without its flaws.
According to many "Conners" fans, whenever the show makes these specific references, they can't help but cringe.
The Conners' COVID-19 references rub some fans the wrong way
It goes without saying that the COVID-19 pandemic changed daily life as we know it and has continued to rear its ugly head since 2020. The entertainment industry was no exception, seeing as numerous television shows and movies were repeatedly put on hold and production on such projects halted for some time. Ever-willing to make commentary on real-world issues, "The Conners" hasn't shied away from mentions of COVID and the life changes it brought on for so many. Although, Reddit user u/KillingThemGingerly and several others in their thread don't love how the show has presented the matter, especially considering how inconsistent it is with its messaging.
When it comes to "The Conners" and COVID, the fans aren't the only ones with mixed feelings about the two coming together. In the midst of the pandemic, Laurie Metcalf and Lecy Goranson — who play Jackie Harris and Becky Conner, respectively — revealed to the Los Angeles Times that they had complex feelings about the intersection. "We all need to laugh. But it's still really melancholy," Goranson said of working on the show in the middle of a public health crisis, with Metcalf adding that finding humor in such a dire situation isn't easy, but they and the writers — who the fans have big issues with the work of — did their best in front of and behind the camera.
"The Conners" has never shied away from taking on real-life topics head-first, regardless of how heavy-handed it might come across. Evidently, though, its attempts to address the COVID-19 pandemic just didn't click with many members of the fanbase.