They’re back: Roseanne and the gang return to ABC

It’s the most hyped TV show revival since, well, last year’s resurrection of “Will & Grace.”

Don’t adjust your sets. “Roseanne” returns to ABC primetime at 7 p.m. Tuesday, and the gang’s all back.

That includes Conner patriarch, Dan, played by longtime New Orleans transplant John Goodman.

But what about the episode when Dan dies of a heart attack close to the end of Season 8? In the original show’s finale, wife Roseanne (Roseanne Barr) explains that the entire series was written as a book based on her life. Roseanne changed some parts of the book she didn’t like, including Dan’s death. How convenient.

“Roseanne” aired for nine seasons on ABC, from Oct. 18, 1988, to May 20, 1997. The Conners were a working-class American family living in Illinois, raising three children — Becky, Darlene and DJ. The couple’s fourth child, Jerry Garcia Conner, was born in Season 7.

 

The sitcom was critically-acclaimed for its accurate portrayal of a blue-collar family where both parents worked outside the home, for its two lead characters being overweight without that being fodder for jokes, and for its introduction of gay characters and situations.

“Roseanne” was the most-watched TV show in the U.S. from 1989 to 1990 (available on Amazon Prime). In 2013, TV Guide ranked “Roseanne” No. 32 on its 60 Best Series of All Time list.

Unlike “Will & Grace,” whose characters last fall took up pretty much where they left off in 2006, the Conners will be older and just maybe little wiser when viewers meet them again Tuesday night. In the nine-episode reboot, Dan and Roseanne adjust to sharing their house with kids again, who have returned with their own offspring.

 

Early reviews indicate “Roseanne” could be a hit — again.

After more than 20 years, just how well do you remember “Roseanne”?

1. How many Emmy awards did John Goodman receive for his role as Dan?

a. 1

b. 2

c. 0

2. What Louisiana actor guest-starred on 11 episodes airing between 1994-1996?

a. Louis Herthum

b. John McConnell

c. Wes Brown

3. In what fictional Illinois town did the Conners live?

a. Lanford

b. Danfield

c. Hansville

4. What vegetable is spoken of or seen in almost every episode?

a. potatoes

b. tomatoes

c. corn

5. What was the show’s original title?

a. The Roseanne and Dan Show

b. Life and Stuff

c. The Conners

6. Who did not appear as a guest-star?

a. Bill Maher

b. George Clooney

c. Tom Hanks

7. On which talk show did Roseanne Barr make her first TV appearance?

a. “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson”

b. “Oprah”

c. “Live with Regis and Kathie Lee”

8. Who auditioned for but did not get the role of DJ?

a. Corey Feldman

b. Macaulay Culkin

c. Frankie Muniz

9. How many of Roseanne Barr’s real-life husbands appeared on the show?

a. 3

b. 2

c. 1

10. During the show’s fifth season, the cast shared a T-shirt that is seen in several episodes. What’s on the front of the shirt?

a. giant cat

b. giant dog

c. giant chicken

5/5 - (1 vote)