American sitcoms are a dime a dozen, and few run for more than a few seasons. Those that do achieve this distinction often become instant classics, accumulating loyal cadres of fans. While more recent examples haven’t had a chance to see revivals, many of America’s older sitcoms have since seen a resurgence. One of the most famous of these iconic sitcoms is Roseanne. Today, many audiences will remember the show for its more recent spin-off, The Conners. Its short-lived revival under former star Roseanne Barr’s name came to an ignominious end after a vitriolic Twitter rant.
However, what modern viewers may not know is that the show was once hailed for its progressive content. Roseanne often took on stories no other show dared to touch. It tackled the real problems faced by struggling working-class mothers and included a diverse cast of lovable characters. Like its revival, it often strived to include marginalized and overlooked voices. Roseanne’s first run spanned nine years — from 1988 to 1997. At that time, its characters were young and vibrant. The Conner kids were teenagers, although they slowly blossomed into young adulthood as the series progressed. However, like many long-running family sitcoms, the show suffered from some casting shake-ups.
Roseanne’s Becky Conner Captured the Spirit of the Late 1980s
Both Roseanne Barr and showrunner Matt Williams claim Roseanne is based on their personal experiences.
Roseanne Barr was originally chosen for her “in-your-face” personality.
The show had 19 writers. A 1993 interview revealed that Barr referred to these writers by numbers rather than using their names.
One of the most infamous and obvious casting changes swapped out the show’s oldest child, Becky Conner. Now, in more recent years, Becky (Lecy Goranson) has established herself as one of the show’s most promising spin-off stars. Her evolving relationship with her younger sister, Darlene (Sara Gilbert) became the pivotal focus of The Conners’ comedic antics.
But, years before The Conners, Goranson debuted as a spry pre-teen. Like any young girl — regardless of era — her world revolved around boys, fashion, and makeup. Unlike her siblings, she performed well in school and often avoided unwanted attention from her parents. Of course, things changed as she matured.
By her teens, Becky was as rebellious as they come. Her sweet persona quickly morphed into a Malcolm in the Middle rebel. She began hanging with the “wrong crowd,” drinking, and partying. Her antics eventually lead her to elope with her bumbling boyfriend, Mark Healey (Glenn Quinn), and move to Minneapolis.
In the infamous tenth season of Roseanne, Becky was shown to be a struggling single mother. After Mark’s death, she moved back to Lanford and began working at a Mexican restaurant. Her financial desperation led her to egg donation and ill-advised surrogacy work. However, this dismal “ending” was discarded when Roseanne launched its reboot. Her situation in The Conners may not be sunshine and roses, but it’s still an infinitely kinder fate.
Why Did They Recast Becky?
According to Barr, Langford is based on Elgin, Illinois.
Establishing shots were filmed in Matt Williams’ hometown of Evansville, Indiana.
Off-network syndications of Roseanne began in 1992.
In Season 6, Roseanne fans quickly noticed a drastic change in Becky. Obviously, her childhood innocence was gone. She had fallen hard for Mark, and their blossoming relationship overrode her academic drive. But slipping grades and puberty weren’t the only difference. Becky had literally changed; her original actress, Lecy Goranson, had been wholly replaced by Sarah Chalke. Though it’s a close physical match, there were enough differences to make the switch readily apparent.
Now, this is far from strange. Shows often recast main characters. This is particularly true when shows revolve around younger stars. The child’s well-being, personal needs, and education often force shows to find creative casting solutions. Not surprisingly, Becky’s role is just another circumstantial necessity.
In real life, Lecy Goranson was attending college, and her acting career was the last thing she needed to worry about. Still, Becky Conner was an integral part of Roseanne. The show may have functioned without her, but its stories wouldn’t have thrived. The solution was simple: The producers picked a “second Becky.” Fans could still enjoy Becky’s patented snark, and the writers didn’t need to find convoluted excuses for a main character’s sudden absence.
Notably, this wasn’t exactly a surprise. Goranson appeared sporadically in Season 5, as her college schedule was more flexible. However, by the show’s sixth season, she understandably opted to focus on her studies. Thus, the showrunners brought on Sarah Chalke. The “second Becky” appeared whenever Goranson was unavailable. Chalke’s role spanned the entirety of the sixth and seventh seasons. Then, from the eighth to ninth seasons, her appearances became more sporadic.
