Tag: The Conners

S2 E16: Sister Stories

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Hi folks! In our latest episode, “Sister Stories,” we discuss The Conners episode “Pilot Lights and Sister Fights,” which focuses on the romantic reunion of Dan and Louise and a flare-up of tension between Darlene and Becky, who has been bonding lately with Darlene’s BF Ben (Jay R. Ferguson). Darlene’s stress over trying to have a baby seems to trigger her old feelings of insecurity related to her sister, who has always been considered the more “popular” and personable of the two Conner girls. We analyze this new conflict in relationship to classic Roseanne season 7 episode “Rear Window,” in which Becky and David start to become close while he and Darlene are broken up. Oh, and this episode also features a hilarious A-plot of Roseanne and Dan peeping at their new, VERY elderly nudist neighbors who don’t seem to catch onto Roseanne’s witticisms about “crack” and “Uranus.” Join us as we dive into these episodes and other pertinent issues like the classic stoner film 9 to 5; Maura’s illustrious childhood turn in The Velveteen Rabbit; the mysterious, sartorially-challenged nature of keyboardists; Arby’s, and more!

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S2 E15: Bev!

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In this podcast episode, we focus in on the dowager Harris, Bev. The world’s nitpicking-est mom, the devotion-seeking grandmother, the ever-youthful-and-probably-a-vampire Bev, so perfectly portrayed by also likely-to-be immortal Estelle Parsons. We begin by talking about recent The Conners episode, “The Ice Woman Cometh,” which finds Bev returned to Lanford with money in hand for precious Mark’s summer camp for smartypants. Darlene pursues equal money for Harris, betraying the deserving Mark in cold fashion. We question Harris’s inexplicable new career aspiration – to go to tattoo school (Listen. That’s really not a thing.) And Dan’s heart breaks over Louise, but at least we get to see Katey Segal rock with a full band. Next, we discuss the similar original series episode from Season 5, entitled “Mommy Nearest,” wherein Bev gives Jackie and Roseanne $10,000 each from her divorce settlement, with the caveat that she’s moving to Lanford. You can imagine how Jackie and Dan react. There’s a LOT of horse talk in this episode, as well as a detailed description of a totally problematic Jackie sweater, and a rant connecting Breaking Bad and Tiger King. Please join us!

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S2 E12: Loving Throuples, Missing Crystal

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In our latest episode, we recap the Conners season 2, episode 14, “Bad Dads and Grads,” in which Darlene and Ben ponder having a baby (or he forces her to ponder, depending on your perspective), Jackie ponders joining guest stars Jennifer Grey and Clark Gregg in a throuple, and Dan works through his anger toward his late father and reconnects with Ed Jr. (“little Ed”), his father’s son with Crystal. We express skepticism about Darlene and Ben’s baby-making haste and complete enthusiasm for Jackie’s potential new lease on love, but focus mainly on Dan, looking back at the two-part classic episode from Roseanne season 3, “The Courtship of Eddie, Dan’s Father”/”The Wedding,” which tells the story of Ed Sr.’s marriage to Crystal and her pregnancy. We parse inconsistencies in the storyline from then to now, and wonder why Crystal (our beloved Natalie West) can’t come back and clear up this mess. As always, we also indulge in some tangential discussions — of our favorite Leap Day TV episodes, the creepy genius of Flowers in the Attic, and our love of sweaters (plus, you won’t want to miss Katherine’s rendition of John Denver’s “Rocky Mountain High”). Join us!

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S2 E11: If I Were Dwight

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Hey listeners! After a short delay, we present to you our most recent discussion of two recent episodes of The Conners, which we’re calling, “If I were Dwight.” In this, we take on “Live from Lanford,” the live episode written around the New Hampshire primaries – a fun and successful effort in live broadcasting, we think. We do feel sad about Dan and Louise’s breakup, but we also think it’s a little weird that everyone acts like her 3-month tour is such a lengthy time away. Like, why can’t she go on tour AND stick it out with Dan, you know? Harris is still an a-hole, but Mark is a cutie pie. The main thing, though, is that our friend Dwight is such a PAL to Louise and to Dan, and he’s really delivering the goods in terms of Lanford’s Steel Magnolias spinoff. We also discuss the episode following, “Brothers, Babies, and Breakdowns,” in which Ben gets really intense about wanting a baby all of the sudden. While we think he’s a Hot Dad™, we think he’s putting way too much pressure on Darlene to do something she doesn’t want to do. Dwight, again, is perfect as he shows up, breaks down, and pulls through (in that order) for the Lunch Box as Lanford’s next big stew chef. Thank goodness! Lastly, we freak out about the appearance of Little Ed, Dan’s brother and Crystal’s son, who calls on Dan to help him deal with the aftermath of Big Ed’s death. HOLY CRAP. But, wait, what? Where IS Crystal? We hope you listen and enjoy as you catch up with The Conners along with us!

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S2 E7: Slap That Turkey!

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Thanksgiving is upon us, with an OPEN HAND. In this episode, we cover the dramatic holiday episode of The Conners, “Slappy Holidays,” wherein voices are raised not in mirth and merriment, but in anger and probable tequila drunkenness. Jackie, Darlene, and Harris are all at their worst, while the rest of the family copes with the mayhem. In the episode, a delayed dinner and too much booze leads to a MAJOR blowout, culminating in a SLAP, that brings us back to the history of abuse in the Harris family. It’s painful, emotional, upsetting, and therefore utterly true to the holiday, and to the original series. We also revisit classic Roseanne Thanksgiving episodes and the history of delightful melee among the Conners and Harrises. Highlights include turtleneck philosophies, tales of Maura’s talent show exploits, and Conner memories in garage stories. Please enjoy!

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S2 E3: A Not-So-Bizarre Love Triangle and a Not-So-Ugly Baby

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Hey listeners! You may have noticed that we missed last week. We both had weddings to attend! But we haven’t abandoned ship – BY NO MEANS! Here, we catch up on The Conners second and third Season 2 episodes, “A Kiss is Just a Kiss” and “The Preemie Monologues.” We agree that these two episodes feel more natural and organic, and the pace feels right. Both episodes involve Becky’s struggles as a mom, both physical and financial, and deal with class and women’s issues in a way that is true to the original. Likewise, we see Darlene and David stand up for little Mark in a way that does justice to some of Roseanne Conner’s shining parental moments. Darlene’s LOVE TRIANGLE gets more cumbersome as, once again, she attempts to hide the presence of our dear David, and irresistible Ben begins to worry that Darlene needs some professional help. Dan is back to his sweet, not-so aggro self, and this time, we feel good about Katey Segal’s Louise stepping in. As usual, we get off track discussing hairstyles, Medicare for All, global warming, and whether or not Sinbad played a genie in a movie (he did not, you are thinking of the one with Shaq). And Dan Aykroyd is there for some reason! Join us!

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S1 E8: Tangled Up in…David!

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In this edition of our podcast, we talk about the second EVER episode of The Conners, in which we meet David’s new girlfriend Blue, played by Juliette Lewis. Harris lost her virginity and the scenario is weirdsville! Mostly, we get a little caught up in our nostalgia for the early days of Darlene and David, and we’re skeptical but open-minded about the new romantic ventures that seem to be in store for the two of them. We remember Glenn Quinn (Mark) and wonder what the future holds for all of the Conner family.

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