I always thought Sarahs Becky was more like Dan who is my favorite character on the show

I don't think Sarah's Becky resembled any of the characters.

I always thought Becky was supposed to be a younger version of Jackie - the one that had all the potential in the world, but made stupid decisions that cost her a lot of what she could have had.

Darlene was definitely more of a younger Roseanne, but Darlene did accomplish a lot of what Roseanne wished she could have done (going to college and being a writer for example).

Edited September 23, 201213 yr by Y&RWorldTurner

I was so shocked when I found out (years late) that the actor who played Mark had died.

I was so shocked when I found out (years late) that the actor who played Mark had died.

I was more shocked he had a legitimate Irish accent. Thanks ANGEL!

Lecy.

Was not bothered by Chalke during the run, but in hindsight, realized how much better was with Goranson in the role.

Chalke was best on Scrubs. I enjoyed Chalke on HIMYM too.

Towards the end of her initial run, Lecy-as-Becky got on my nerves. She was bratty and annoying. However she was a great foil for Gilbert's Darlene, who may not have realized her potential beyond child-actor-who-can-pull-off-some-great-lines to good actress without Lecy-as-Becky. (check out first-season Darlene) Darlene softened the edges for the audience.

I, too, think Roseanne is one of the best portrayals of working-class life I've seen, and certainly one of the best sitcoms ever. If not for the final two seasons, I think it would be at the top.

(But I appreciated the finale more than many, as well)

The seasons I like best, particularly #5, is actually without Becky, but if I had to choose I'd pick Lecy. I liked Sarah Chalke but the tenor of the character changed dramatically when she took over the role. Becky had always been smart and prim, but with Chalke in the role Becky was just a dumb blonde living in a trailer park.

I hate the later seasons, Roseanne just became completely unlikeable.

I hate the later seasons, Roseanne just became completely unlikeable.

To me Roseanne was a show where even after it jumped the shark it never became TOTALLY unwatchable -- though there are some difficult episodes like the terrorists on a train episode or the Gilligan's Island episode. But yeah, Roseanne is such a better character in the earlier seasons. As she said in the finale, she walked a tight line between tradition and progress. In the early seasons Roseanne is snarky and a strong woman, but she definitely has a sweet side when necessary. In the later seasons she's more negative and just plain mean.

There were a lot of weaker episodes in the last few seasons, but one in particular that I do like cements my love for Lecy's version of Becky even more--Season 8's "Becky Howser, M.D.", when it looks like Becky might leave the trailer park life with Mark and try to go to the University of Illinois to study medicine. I understand why she might have decided not to, but I think it would've been great to see her go back to school, particularly since they were never going to let Sarah's Becky try to do that.

There were a lot of weaker episodes in the last few seasons, but one in particular that I do like cements my love for Lecy's version of Becky even more--Season 8's "Becky Howser, M.D.", when it looks like Becky might leave the trailer park life with Mark and try to go to the University of Illinois to study medicine. I understand why she might have decided not to, but I think it would've been great to see her go back to school, particularly since they were never going to let Sarah's Becky try to do that.

Yes, that episode was truly the last stand of Becky as a character.

"Roseanne" is the best sitcom to me, ever. It just goes beyond comedy and is the only show to ever adequately portray how the working/middle class lives... it also did drama at times without resorting to the "Very Special Episode." Like, Jackie gets beat up by her boyfriend and I *care*, because I care about the character. To me, season 1 is the best. Seasons 2-6 are great. Seasons 7-9 are flawed with moments of greatness. And I love the last episode and wouldn't change a thing about it.

ITA with this. 1-6 are all shades of amazing. 7-9 is when the quality declined. I would say seasons 3 & 4 are my favorite, but really anything from the first 6 seasons are perfection.

Oh, and definitely Lecy as Becky.

Edited October 10, 201213 yr by Gray Bunny