One of the original show's signature characters is Becky Conner, portrayed by both Lecy Goranson and "Scrubs" star Sarah Chalke. The recasting was unusual in that Chalke did not outright replace Goranson, and the two even alternated the role for a time.

In Season 5, Goranson left the role to attend Vassar College in an attempt to find normalcy amongst her peers. Chalke played Becky until Goranson’s return in Season 8 and the two alternated until Goranson took back the role full-time in Season 9.

The series made the recasting a tongue-in-cheek joke for the audience, making the best of a bad situation. Chalke returned for the 2018 “Roseanne” revival and spin-off, but as a different character, while Goranson returned as her original character.