For the last week or so, I’ve had Roseanne on the brain.
It all started when I heard an interview with former Roseanne writer Danny Zuker. (He now serves as co-executive producer of Modern Family.) On the Aug. 2 episode of Julie Klausner’s How Was Your Week podcast, Zuker tells an absolutely hilarious story of a supposedly clueless Roseanne writer at a staff meeting during the height of the sitcom’s popularity.
I urge you to hear him tell the tale in all its splendor, but the punchline is this: After another writer pitches a storyline about Roseanne’s sister, Jackie (played by Emmy-winning actress Laurie Metcalf), the clueless guy raises his hand and asks, “Who Jackie?”
The “Who Jackie?” story has been told for years and even referenced on series like 30 Rock and My Name Is Earl. It’s one of many, many crazy tales about Roseanne that may or may not be true.
It turns out the comedy is about to mark its 25th anniversary. Starting today, the WE tv channel is airing Roseanne mini-marathons six nights a week. It plans to showcase all seasons, with special attention paid to cast members’ favorite eps. (I’m guessing someone is bound to mention the marijuana episode …)
If it’s been so long since you’ve seen the show that you can’t remember “who Jackie” either, set the DVR. The Roseanne repeats air weeknights from 5-8 p.m. ET and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET on WE.
