As The Conners approaches its final season, a bittersweet reality looms over the end of the iconic Roseanne franchise. After over three decades of laughter, heartache, and relatable family struggles, the story of the Conner family is set to conclude with The Conners season 7. However, the shorter format of this final season—just seven episodes—poses a significant challenge. One of the most unfortunate consequences of this condensed farewell is the high likelihood that The Conners will not include a holiday special, something that has been a hallmark of the show’s success.
This reality is underscored by The Conners’ highest-rated episode, which reflects just how integral holiday-themed episodes have been to both Roseanne and its spinoff.
The Importance of Holiday Specials in The Conners and Roseanne
Since Roseanne first aired in 1988, holiday episodes have played a pivotal role in the show’s narrative. Whether it was Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Halloween, the Conner family’s chaotic, but deeply relatable, holiday gatherings offered viewers both comedy and emotional resonance. These episodes were more than just celebrations of the holiday season—they were moments when the show’s core themes of family, resilience, and working-class struggles shone brightest. For many fans, the holiday episodes became the cornerstone of the series, providing a mixture of humor, tradition, and heartfelt moments that showcased the essence of the Conner family dynamic.
Similarly, when The Conners spinoff emerged after the controversial departure of Roseanne Barr and the end of the original series, the holiday episodes continued to be a highlight. They often brought the entire family together, creating opportunities for both comedy and deep emotional exploration. In fact, The Conners’ highest-rated episode on IMDb is season 2, episode 7, titled “Slappy Holidays,” which is a Thanksgiving-themed episode. With a rating of 8.0, it’s clear that these holiday-centric episodes resonate deeply with viewers.
The Constraints of Season 7
Unfortunately, The Conners season 7 is expected to have only seven episodes, which drastically limits the potential for covering all the major storylines and providing closure for its large cast of characters. The compressed format is a stark departure from the standard season length that allowed previous seasons to explore multiple storylines in depth. With such a tight episode count, the show will be forced to prioritize the main characters and the overarching narrative, potentially sidelining some fan-favorite moments.
Adding to the challenges, The Conners season 7 is not expected to air until late 2024 or early 2025, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This timing severely limits the chances of including a holiday special. Given the traditional scheduling for Thanksgiving and Christmas episodes—usually airing in November or December—it’s unlikely that the show will air in time to capture the holiday magic that has been so central to its success. With the holiday season such a staple of The Conners and Roseanne, this absence could be a disappointing reality for longtime fans.
Why Holiday Specials Matter
The holiday episodes of both Roseanne and The Conners have always struck a chord with viewers because of their relatable portrayal of family life. In these episodes, the Conners aren’t just characters on a screen—they are an embodiment of the average American family dealing with financial struggles, family dynamics, and the joy and stress of the holiday season. They argue, they make up, they share meals, and they support each other through thick and thin. These holiday gatherings often brought underlying tensions to the surface while also highlighting the love and bond that kept the family together.
In “Slappy Holidays,” for instance, the Conners’ Thanksgiving gathering becomes a microcosm of the show’s larger themes. Tensions run high as the family deals with personal issues, but ultimately, they come together over the dinner table, showcasing the importance of unity, even when life gets messy. This is the kind of emotional depth and relatability that has made these episodes so beloved.
Without a holiday special, The Conners season 7 might feel like it’s missing a key ingredient. The holiday episodes have historically allowed the show to slow down and focus on the interpersonal dynamics of the family, offering fans a break from the more fast-paced, episodic plotlines. With only seven episodes to wrap up the entire series, it’s doubtful that there will be enough time to include the same kind of reflective, emotionally charged holiday episode that fans have come to expect.
A Fitting End Despite the Limitations
Although the lack of a holiday special may be disappointing, The Conners season 7 still has the potential to wrap up the long-running story of the Conner family in a meaningful way. With the core cast—Dan (John Goodman), Darlene (Sara Gilbert), Becky (Lecy Goranson), and Jackie (Laurie Metcalf)—returning, the final season will likely focus on resolving their character arcs. However, the limited episode count could mean that supporting characters, like Emma Kenney’s Harris, may play a smaller role in the final season, leaving some storylines underdeveloped.
Even without a holiday special, The Conners can still deliver a satisfying conclusion by staying true to the show’s strengths: its honest portrayal of working-class struggles, its humor, and its heart. The series has always excelled at balancing lighthearted comedy with deeper, more serious themes, and fans can expect the same balance as the show reaches its finale.
The End of an Era
As The Conners season 7 approaches, fans are coming to terms with the fact that the story of the Conner family is coming to an end. While the lack of a holiday episode may feel like a missed opportunity, it doesn’t take away from the legacy of both Roseanne and The Conners. These shows have offered viewers a unique look into the life of an American family that is both ordinary and extraordinary in its resilience.
The final season of The Conners will be a chance to say goodbye to a beloved cast of characters who have become like family to many viewers. And even without a holiday special, the show’s heart—the love and loyalty of the Conner family—will undoubtedly shine through in its final episodes, offering fans a fitting end to a remarkable story.
