“Roseanne”

Comedienne Roseanne, then known as Roseanne Barr, got her own show, aptly titled, “Roseanne,” in 1988. She portrayed Roseanne Conner, matriarch of the Conner family, a working-class family who lived in Illinois.

The character of Roseanne was married to Dan Conner, played by John Goodman. They lived on Delaware Street with their three children—Becky (Alicia ‘Lecy’ Goranson, and later played by Sarah Chalke), Darlene (Sara Gilbert, sister of “Little House on the Prairie” star Melissa Gilbert), and D.J., which was short for David Jacob, not Dan Jr. (played by Michael Fishman).

I was a regular watcher of the show until the last season, when the Connors became millionaires and lived the high life, until it was found to be a story Roseanne Connor had written, kind of like the “it’s all been a dream” season of “Dallas.”

Early episodes also starred George Clooney as Roseanne’s boss, Booker. Clooney, of course, would launch into stardom with the series “ER” and the “Batman & Robin” movie.

My favorite episodes of this series were the Halloween episodes. Great costumes and lots of gags. My other all-time favorite episode was when her co-worker Bonnie belted out “You Really Got a Hold On Me.” The actress who played Bonnie was credited as Bonnie Sheridan, but is better known as Bonnie Bramlett, a former Ikette with Ike and Tina Turner, and half of the singing duo, Delaney & Bonnie.

I also loved the parody the show did of “The Patty Duke Show,” when Goranson returned and replaced Chalke, who had originally replaced Goranson. (Got that scorecard handy?) Yup, Beckys, identical Beckys all the way…

For more information on “Roseanne” go to:
http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0020961/

Check out Sheridan/Bramlett belting out “You Really Got a Hold On Me” on YouTube.com. I still get chills when I listen to this (maybe the building’s air conditioning is on too high..). Here’s the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qlocP12JAU