Laurie Metcalf has always delivered as Jackie Harris.
Through her time on Roseanne and later on The Conners, the actress, 70, has proven serious comedic chops. Jackie has always been wacky and high-strung, at her best, dealing with a mess of emotions.
No episode demonstrates it better than Roseanne‘s season 5 episode “Wait Till Your Father Gets Home,” in which Roseanne and Jackie cope with the unexpected death of their father, with whom they had a complicated relationship.
Tired of making the rounds and sharing the unfortunate news with family members, Roseanne turns it over to Jackie, who is tasked with calling their Aunt Barbara.
The task would prove harder than it looked, both because Jackie was used to Roseanne dealing with hard things on her behalf but also because Aunt Barbara was hard of hearing. Jackie tries to deliver the news delicately, but it turns frantic when she realizes there’s no getting through to her.
“Hi Auntie Barbara. It’s Jackie…Jackie!” she begins. She says she’s fine once before repeating it louder. Then she gets to the point of the call.
“I have some bad news. Dad is not with us anymore,” Jackie says. She pauses a beat, then repeats louder, “I said, dad has passed away.”
Then louder, “He’s passed away. He’s dead! No, dead! DEAD!”
After another pause, she gives up, saying, “No, he’s fine. He sends his love,” and hanging up, telling Roseanne, “I am not doing that again. You can’t make me.”
The scene from the episode, which aired February 9, 1993, led to her nomination for an Emmy that year, for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy.
She took home the honor, marking the second year she was recognized by her peers for her role as Jackie. Metcalf, who was pregnant at the time, tearfully accepted the award.
“I’m having a baby soon and I don’t know what to say, I didn’t think I’d be up here. Hi to Zoe. Thank you all very, very much.”