A few years ago, I had some thoughts on the working class politics of the returned TV show Roseanne. The gist of it is that I thought the show played Roseanne’s title character in a plausible way. Yes, they turned her from a fairly left-leaning working class woman into a Trump supporter. But they did so in a way that rang true to her character and the character’s likely development.
Fast forward a few years. Now I’ve had a chance to watch most of seasons 2 and 3 of The Conners, the updated version of the show after Roseanne herself got booted.
What do I see here?
Other Characters
In short, I think the show still works. Indeed, by removing Roseanne, I think the show opens up new opportunities to better explore the other characters. It especially captures Becky, Darlene, and Dan in their everyday struggles.
Becky and Darlene come off as deeper, more interesting characters than they ever did in the original show. Becky struggles to raise her daughter and balance her complex relationship with the father, while Darlene explores a new relationship that moves both within and out of the workplace.
And we also see Dan struggle with his drywall company and mortgage, especially in the early Covid months. Plus, Katey Sagal is a very welcome addition to the cast.
A Mixed Bag on Politics
So, the show usually does politics well when it goes that route.
In particular, I think the Season 3 episodes involving Haley (Darlene’s daughter) and Occupy Wall Street esque protests go really well. The show presents plausible reactions to protest movements – both sympathetic and less sympathetic – from a working-class family already located at the front lines of income inequality.
But then the show fumbles, in my opinion, in its portrayal of the 2020 Democratic primaries and general election. In an effort to avoid expressing any real opinion on the candidates, the show degenerates into platitudes and stereotypes. And in a stark contrast to Roseanne’s express support for Trump, the other characters stay pretty mum.
Even when, to be frank, these characters very likely would’ve been Trump opponents.
Still One of the Best
The bottom line? I still think The Conners is one of the best examples of working class TV. It portrays real struggles in plausible ways. And it does so without patronizing anyone, talking down to anyone, or either insulting or romanticizing working class people or their lives.
Along with the Wonder Years reboot, it’s solid TV.
