The Conners (TV Series) Keep on Truckin' (2018) User Reviews

Jackie's attempt at the kitchen re-org sums up how The Conners will move forward without their matriarch, Roseanne

[Ed-Shullivan · 7/10 · 17 October 2018]

Obviously this spin-off series from Roseanne needed to first achieve closure from the family matriarch Roseanne. Just like with any other death in our own family, we discuss the deceased with endearment and our fondest memories and so this new TV spin-off "The Conners" did exactly that. I saw this pilot episode still contained the Conners family as a whole and with time permitted, The Conners will persevere and find their own comedic way with that same old tinge of dramedy in their weekly storylines.

I see a lot of other IMDB viewers want to kill the series early. I say give The Conners a full first season and let's wait and see if the storylines remain current and possibly include the polarization of the U.S. politics with stories relating to the political positions of the Democratic and Republican parties on major issues such as taxes, the role of government, entitlements (Social Security, Medicare), gun control, immigration, healthcare, abortion, environmental policy and regulation.

The Conners still have a lot to say and I have a feeling a lot of the initial IMDB low reviews are "fake reviewers" representing the Democratic parties worse fear that the Conners message just may hit a wider TV audience as progressive in their views. Lets wait and see how Jackie and the rest of the Conner clan reorganize the Conner kitchen and the rest of their lives without Roseanne before passing judgement.

I give the series pilot a 7 out of 10 rating with a wait and see approach to see if The Conners show can remain current in its issues and with good dramedy.

Lost it's magic

[brodesreilly · 5/10 · 17 October 2018]

There's a reason it's called Roseanne. She made the 80s one and the 2017 one. Dan is still fine but there are so many jokes about death. This episode is supposed to be sad, but they make as just a normal thing. The worst part is that it lost all magic. There are some ok jokes but very few. Did the writers get kicked off too. Also Dan looks awful. John Goodmen should just retire. Could you imagine if they didn't bring Dan back. I really I hope this is a dream and ABC brings back Barr. But now I'm done with the Conners. Watch it and make your own opinion but I'm not a fan.

Keep on Truckin'

[bobcobb301 · 6/10 · 29 October 2018]

Roseanne was always a polarizing show, so given the events that happened over the summer, you could expect more polarization.

It was an okay premiere. Do I think these characters can stand on their own without the matriarch? I doubt it, but I will stick with the show.

I think they need to explore more of the Conners relationships with the outside world though. The scene with Dan and the woman who provided drugs to Roseanne was the highlight. More of that and the show will work.

I was impressed

[sfeigh-237-389323 · 8/10 · 17 October 2018]

I'm sure this was a tough show to put together. After all, the show was based on Rosanne Barr's own life and observations. Unlike the current continuation of Murphy Brown, Rosanne did it right when it returned. There were jokes and humor and believable interplay between the cast. The Connors have managed to take what Rosanne began with the continuation. It felt real and unforced. I don't know if the cast and the show runners can continue what was begun with this new show, but I do wish them luck. The Connors still have stories to tell.

Still got it!

[krichert28 · 9/10 · 17 October 2018]

Darlene and Jackie really hold the new show together! Dan being receptive to his grandson coming out gay to him was well done and funny. I think the conners will be successful as a spin off if people give it a chance.

Sad way to kill Roseanne, she deserved better.

[SplkeS · 1/10 · 1 December 2021]

This was such a horrible way to kill Roseanne. The real thing that made me so freaking angry was the way they did it, making her OD on the pain pills she was taking and then making that into a joke. That is so freaking sad. They act like it's funny to joke about people who suffer from serious pain and need pain medication. What really made me mad was how everyone was joking about finding her stash of pills and taking them, oh yea that's hilarious to joke about taking pain meds that aren't prescribed to you. I do t remember exactly how many jokes they had about finding her stash. But I do remember Jackie and Becky thinking it was funny to try and find her stash. People who need pain meds are already having a hard time getting pain pills and this trash doesn't help.

The best they could do

[gregnika · 9/10 · 18 October 2018]

Let's face it folks, this was an unenviable task - landing what is both a pilot and the first episode of the eleventh season of a sitcom that has a permanent place in the zeitgeist of our culture at all levels, and which bears the (unfair) burden of speaking to events that happened in real life.

Given all this, I thought the episode was commendable. The Conners (because let's remember, whatever we call the specific episode we're watching doesn't matter - to these characters it's just life) managed to address the range of emotions a family would naturally be going through having suffered the loss they did. And they managed another hallmark of this family - they showed us yet again that they're willing to own who they are as individuals while still placing family above self. Dan did this beautifully with his grandson. If only all people with similar situations approached these issues the way Dan did...

Just not the same.

[jsalzman-99905 · 1/10 · 17 October 2018]

Not funny at all and I will not be watching again.

Cutting out the dead wood

[zwolf · 10/10 · 17 October 2018]

I see a lot of butthurt about politics... but the truth is, a lot of those people complaining weren't watching anyway. The last episode of last season was only pulling 2.7 million viewers; some loyalty. Last night had 10.5 million. If they'd watched, they wouldn't be surprised by the opiod angle, because that had started in the last season. Also, they're raging at the rest of the cast for being "traitors," but last season only came back because of the efforts of Sarah Gilbert. She got John Goodman on board, and got everything rolling. Without her, you wouldn't have had last season's Roseanne, either, so the fury against the rest of the cast is misplaced and misinformed.

Truth is, controversy aside, Roseanne Barr just doesn't have her comic timing anymore, and she wasn't even doing a good job delivering lines anymore. it was painful to watch. This isn't a recent thing; she'd lost it around season 7 or 8 of the original run.

Without her overbearing character using up all the oxygen and overshadowing the rest of the cast, they're getting a chance to shine. Laurie Metcalf, Sarah Gilbert, and John Goodman are more than enough to compensate for anyone. The show managed to get great laughs AND strong drama. And losing a TV friend like Roseanne Connor might wake some people up to the opioid crisis.

If politics was all that was motivating you to watch, you weren't really a viewer, anyway... just an "activist" trying to use TV ratings to stick it to your enemies. Watch the show for what it is and you might enjoy your life more.

I'm ready to hang myself!

[hubbardamanda · 1/10 · 23 January 2019]

I have been honestly trying to give the Conners a fair shake, because even though it's an offshoot of Rosanne. it is a different show. However every episode gets darker and darker, and more depressing, and quite frankly at the end of this show, "keep on trucking", Jackie's boyfriend cheated on her, Darlene is going to probably cheat on her boyfriend with her ex-husband, and Jackie's having a mental breakdown! Becky's illegal boyfriend has been deported ( thanks for the social justice portion, NOT!) I've cried three times with this "comedy". Quite frankly this sucks, if I want to cry I am just going to step outside and continue living my life! If you want my opinion don't watch it's not worth the time l, effort, or energy!

Delighted to see the family dealing with this crisis

[kathyballen · 10/10 · 18 October 2018]

The removal of Rosanne from the family for The Conners spinoff was handled with the usual politically relevant American family experiences that were the hallmark of the Rosanne series. This new series displays all of the talent and fine writing of the original, without shying away from the difficulty for the show and the family of losing Rosanne Barr/Conner from their ranks. The missing cast member was acknowledged and discussed in a very believable script. In an odd way, it seems the show is better, and the rest of the cast is now free to step out of Rosanne's shadow, providing a breath of fresh air and coming into their own without the put downs and sarcasm that were Rosanne's trademark. I, for one, do not miss Rosanne's upstaging and sarcasm. This talented and funny cast will carry this show far into the future.

Amazing

[michael-r-mesicek · 10/10 · 17 October 2018]

I can't really put my finger on why this Series is so much better than Roseanne but it just is. There's something that really sets this show apart and makes it so so much better

Sad TV

[chaz8180-702-293487 · 1/10 · 23 February 2019]

Watched this episode and it was a sad attempt of TV. Just truly unwatchable.

Love it!

[caseymedlyn · 10/10 · 17 October 2018]

Even better than before. Darlene will be the one to hold it together. And of course Jackie.

Never watched it, never will

[Marc654321 · 1/10 · 5 May 2020]

Not much else to say besides I would rather watch paint dry than watch this show.

Love it

[mmnegro · 10/10 · 17 October 2018]

The writing is better than ever, and the actors are great

Not the same anymore

[nessndale-55508 · 1/10 · 18 October 2018]

ABC made a huge mistake I watched it to see what they would do with the main character being gone they failed miserably . It is not the same without Roseanne . I really don't see this show continuing such a huge loss !!!

Didn't need her

[moyetbear-224-584960 · 10/10 · 17 October 2018]

Good bye Roseanne, joining the millions of Americans who have overdosed because pain management is not given properly but the pills are handed out like tic tac.

The family goes on, as many do, laughing in appropriately in the face of death.

The daughter's step up, the kids aren't told the truth and the extended family gives bad excuses for laugh effect.

Overall, you don't miss Roseanne but you see her effect and her brand of sarcasm lives on.

The family will be alright, but the show won't last once they can't figure out how to be funny without their rung leader around.

Perfect.

[slg-56011 · 10/10 · 20 October 2018]

Better than before! I never liked Roseanne (the character or her herself) even when I was a child, so to me, her absence just made the show better. The episode was written well and the actors are top notch!

Barred And Boycotted

[uncatema · 1/10 · 17 October 2018]

ABC has shot themselves in the bank book. Killing off the character that made this program a huge hit will cost the network.

There's no longer any reason to continue watching.

Like a trip through time

[maureen-c-devolder · 10/10 · 9 March 2019]

I belly laughed like a dozen times! The emotional scenes were intense and I cried hard. Jackie and Darlene are still complete fire with their acting and comedic timing. This show is a beautiful gift for those of us who adored the original - yes, I miss Roseanne, but this show does well to honour her and the empire she built.

Based on the first episode - A show in search of a lead...

[Vampinaro · 4/10 · 19 October 2018]

It was definitely better than I expected, but it feels like a show full of co-stars looking for a lead. Dan could have carried it a few years ago, but the amazing John Goodman is a shell of himself on this show. Darlene is the attempted replacement, but her character can't hold it and as fun as she is Sara Gilbert can't hold a scene on her own. The best part of this sequel is DJ's wife. Her addition is welcome, and interesting, though there could have been more of her.

Jackie is the bright spot in the first episode, with her breakdown. She doesn't really break through to fill the lead role, but puts in one her best performances on this or Roseanne.

Darlene's daughter sucks the life from every scene. She's like the annoying friend who craps on everything happening in a show, but not in a funny MST3K way, just in a "turn-it-off-and-watch-it-later" way. Only she's there in the scene, making you want to turn off the show.

Pure Garbage.

[statmanneb · 1/10 · 18 October 2018]

Could barely keep away through the show, poor acting, poor comedic timing. Cannot exactly put my finger on it, but this show is missing something.

Sad

[pennyhuttonjohnson · 1/10 · 17 October 2018]

A terrible subject. What a horrible way to write someone out of a show.

What happened to Roseanne's show?

[alleykirstie · 1/10 · 24 October 2018]

While 'Roseanne' has always been a voice for the blue-collar worker, Season 10 was an honest explanation for why voters choose a moron for President of the United States. Instead of remaining a voice for the people 'The Connors' assimilated to the current wave of ire and petulance beset by the media. A far-left distilled ideology which allows censorship of opposition & free speech through television, social media, and social gatherings. I grew up loving the 'Roseanne' series because it warred against the idea of censorship. If you told Roseanne that she couldn't say or do something, you could count on her to make it happen. This show as carried on by Sara Gilbert, is anything but that. It's a broken narrative of story-telling wrapped in the pretty bow of politcal correctness. The magical thinking of liberals made real using my favorite show. I feel sad and sick. This was unbelievable gloomy and dark. Joking about their dead mother? Who does that? It was like they were mocking her.