Roseanne Reviews Q

This is a set of reviews of Roseanne episodes. My general thoughts about that show are here. I will focus only on the political aspects and will mention what percent of lines spoken by non-family members are spoken by people of color.

“Pretty in Black” Episode 5 Season 5. Wikipedia summary is: “The Conners enjoy torturing Darlene by pretending to give her a dreaded Sweet-Sixteen birthday party. While playing "Truth or Dare" with Jackie, Anne Maire, and Crystal, Roseanne suffers an embarrassing incident when she unexpectedly meets the Conners new neighbor. “

There were about 40-45 lines by non-family members and about 10% were by a person of color.

“Looking for Loans in All the Wrong Places” Episode 6, Season 5. Wikipedia summary is: “Roseanne and Jackie decide to open a diner with Nancy, using the money that Bev gave them. When the three are unable to get a bank loan for the additional needed capital, Bev agrees to put up another $10,000, but only as a 4th partner. Molly complains to Darlene about D.J.'s voyeurism, and Darlene confronts Molly about her flirtatious behavior with David.”

This episode expresses support for affirmative action (especially for women) when it comes to small business loans. But the Small Business Administration won’t help Roseanne, Jackie, and Nancy and Roseanne says: “the SBA supposed to be set up to help people like us, but y’all don’t know nothing about people like us. The trouble with people who work for the government is you all have jobs.”

There were about 50 lines by non-family members and none were by people of color.

“Halloween IV” episode 7, Season 5. Wikipedia summary is: “Becky's absence has drained Roseanne's Halloween spirit, so she is visited by the ghosts of Halloween Past, Present, and a truly terrifying Future.”

There were about 30-40 lines by non-family members and about 10% were by people of color.

“Ladies’ Choice” Episode 8, Season 5. Wikipedia summary is: “Roseanne and Jackie are shocked to discover that Nancy is a lesbian. Roseanne thinks she is getting old when Bev moves into a retirement community.”

A huge part of this episode is recurring character Nancy coming out as gay or bi. Roseanne and Jackie respond in a way that’s mostly positive but realistically a little homophobic.

Jackie at one point says she’s going to Walmart. This is decades before Walmart started paying its workers better (about 5 years ago). Jackie might be poor enough that  I would have no problem with her shopping there- even though I boycotted Walmart until recently (I’ve probably spent a total of about $100 there and that’s probably about 3-5% of what I’ve spent on groceries in the last year) I’ve always understood that there’s nothing wrong with poor people shopping there.

Out of about 20-25 lines by non-family members, none are by people of color.

“Stand on Your Man” Episode 9, Season 5. Wikipedia summary is: “Roseanne, working a late shift at the diner alone, is threatened by an aggressive customer, prompting the girls to take a self-defense class. When Arnie wants to return to Nancy, he learns she is a lesbian.”

Out of about 45-55 lines by non-family members, about 5% are by a person of color.