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Entertainment • TV series

Roseanne

"Roseanne" is an American television sitcom created by Matt Williams and starring Roseanne Barr as Roseanne Conner.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

"Roseanne" is an American television sitcom created by Matt Williams and starring Roseanne Barr as Roseanne Conner. It originally aired on ABC from 1988 to 1997 and was briefly revived in 2018. The series follows the Conner family, a working-class household in the fictional town of Lanford, Illinois.

Premise

The series follows the daily life of the Conner family as they deal with work, money, parenting, marriage, and other domestic concerns in Lanford, Illinois.

Broadcast history

"Roseanne" premiered on ABC in 1988 and ran until 1997. A revival returned in 2018, but it was quickly ended and the story continued in the spin-off "The Conners".

Reception

The show received generally positive reviews for its grounded depiction of a blue-collar family. It was also a major audience hit during its original run.

Legacy

"Roseanne" is widely associated with the rise of socially grounded, working-class sitcom storytelling on American television. Its characters and setting remained culturally recognizable long after the original series ended.

Key facts

  • "Roseanne" centers on the Conner family, a working-class household headed by Roseanne and Dan Conner.
  • The series was praised for its realistic portrayal of working-class American life.
  • It became a major ratings success, reaching No. 1 in the Nielsen ratings in its second season.
  • The original run lasted nine seasons on ABC, followed by a 2018 revival.
  • The revival later led to the continuation series "The Conners" after Roseanne Barr was removed from the project.
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Canadian context

The series aired in Canada on television and later became available through streaming and home video platforms used by Canadian audiences, but it is primarily an American cultural reference.

Frequently asked questions

What is "Roseanne"?
"Roseanne" is an American television sitcom about the Conner family, a working-class household in the fictional town of Lanford, Illinois.
Who created "Roseanne"?
The series was created by Matt Williams.
Who starred in "Roseanne"?
The show starred Roseanne Barr, John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert, and Michael Fishman.
When did "Roseanne" first air?
It premiered on ABC on October 18, 1988.
How many seasons does "Roseanne" have?
The series has 10 seasons, including the 2018 revival.
What happened after the 2018 revival?
After the revival ended, the story continued in the spin-off series "The Conners" without Roseanne Barr.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roseanne
    Supports: Creation by Matt Williams; original ABC run; 2018 revival; premise; main cast; setting
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Roseanne
    Supports: ABC broadcast dates; nine-season original run; 2018 revival; working-class premise; ratings success
  3. HISTORY — https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/october-18/roseanne-debuts
    Supports: 1988 premiere; working-class depiction; original run; 2018 revival; cancellation and continuation in The Conners
  4. TV Guide — https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/roseanne/1000230932/
    Supports: Series premise; core family members; genre; ABC network
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094540/
    Supports: Release date; country of origin; alternate title information