When The Conners premiered as a spinoff of Roseanne in 2018, longtime fans of the original show were quick to notice something missing from the familiar living room set: the iconic couch. The well-worn sofa, which had become a symbol of the working-class struggles and triumphs of the Conner family, was nowhere to be found. Many viewers wondered why The Conners didn’t use the original Roseanne couch, and the answer sheds light on the complexities of TV production and the transition from one show to another.
A Symbol of the Conners’ Identity
For nine seasons, the couch in the Roseanne living room was more than just a piece of furniture. It was a central part of the Conner family’s everyday life, serving as the backdrop for countless memorable moments. Whether the family was gathered around the TV, having serious conversations, or engaging in their trademark banter, the couch became synonymous with the show’s depiction of working-class America.
The well-worn upholstery and cozy, slightly frumpy design symbolized the Conners’ financial struggles and their resilience in the face of adversity. It was a tangible representation of the family’s life in Lanford, Illinois — far from glamorous, but filled with love and humor. So when The Conners debuted without the original couch, fans took notice.
Legal and Ownership Issues
The absence of the original Roseanne couch from The Conners was not just a creative decision, but the result of legal and ownership issues surrounding the transition from Roseanne to the new show. When Roseanne was canceled in 2018 following controversial remarks made by its lead actress, Roseanne Barr, ABC quickly worked to retool the show into a spinoff that focused on the rest of the Conner family. This led to the creation of The Conners, which continued the story of the family after the sudden death of Roseanne’s character.
However, with the cancellation of Roseanne, some elements of the original show, including certain set pieces, became legally complicated. The original couch was owned by Roseanne’s production, and once the show was canceled, the rights to use certain props, including the couch, became tied up in legalities. As a result, the creators of The Conners were unable to simply transfer the couch from Roseanne to the spinoff, despite its significance to the set and the fans.
Creative Opportunities with a New Couch
While the legal issues prevented The Conners from using the original Roseanne couch, this limitation also opened up a creative opportunity for the new show. The creators of The Conners recognized that the family had been through significant changes since the death of Roseanne’s character, and updating the set, including the couch, allowed them to visually represent this transition.
In The Conners, the family is still facing many of the same financial and emotional challenges they did in Roseanne, but they are also moving forward and finding new ways to navigate life without Roseanne. The introduction of a new couch symbolizes this evolution. It serves as a subtle but powerful way to show that while the family’s core values and struggles remain the same, they are also adapting to a new chapter in their lives.
Set designers carefully chose a couch for The Conners that still felt true to the Conner family’s character. The new couch retains the cozy, lived-in feel of the original, but it also reflects the changes the family has undergone. It’s a blend of continuity and growth, much like the show itself.
The Fan Reaction
For many fans, the absence of the original Roseanne couch in The Conners was initially jarring. The couch had been a constant presence throughout Roseanne, and its sudden replacement felt like the end of an era. However, as the show progressed, viewers came to accept the new couch as part of the evolving Conner family story.
In interviews, members of the Conners cast have acknowledged the couch’s iconic status and how its replacement marked a symbolic shift for the show. John Goodman, who plays Dan Conner, joked in an interview that the couch was like a character in itself, but he also noted that the changes to the set reflected the family’s resilience in the face of loss and hardship.
Sara Gilbert, who plays Darlene Conner and serves as an executive producer on The Conners, also addressed the couch change. She explained that while the team behind the show wanted to preserve the spirit of Roseanne, they also needed to embrace the idea that The Conners was a new show with its own identity. “It’s about honoring the past but also moving forward,” Gilbert said in an interview, highlighting how the new couch symbolized the family’s perseverance and ability to adapt.
Conclusion: An Iconic Couch for a New Era
The decision not to use the original Roseanne couch in The Conners was ultimately a combination of legal constraints and creative choices. While the original couch held deep sentimental value for fans of Roseanne, its absence in The Conners allowed the show to represent the changes the Conner family has undergone symbolically.
The new couch, while different, still feels like it belongs in the Conner household, capturing the essence of the family’s struggles and triumphs. As The Conners continues to build its own legacy, the updated living room set, complete with its new couch, serves as a reminder that while life may change, the heart of the Conner family remains the same.
