Roseanne: The Fifties Show

Roseanne: The Fifties Show
ABC
November 7, 1995
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Allan Stephan, who also wrote the Gilligan's Island tribute episode, did this odd entry.  Well, not odd compared to the previous episode, but still a little weird.  With an intro by a modern-day Roseanne (I think in a Masterpiece Theater satire, but who knows), we see what's supposed to be an episode from roughly 40 years ago, very roughly, considering Dan refers to Joseph McCarthy as if the Senator were a really new figure on the national scene (so '51 maybe?), and yet "the Deej" wants to sing rock & roll.  Some of the points, like about the sexism and racism of the period, are a little heavy-handed, and plot threads ranging from "Rebecca" hoping she'll be pinned by Mark to Jackie's proto-Women's-Lib conspiracy, cleverly disguised as wackiness, are brought up and then forgotten.  A tighter script would've had a clearer focus and kept all the elements juggled.  Still, the parody aspects are well done, from the look to the sound, and of course Goodman is priceless in his role, especially when he pontificates.

David Tyree, who plays Mose Powell (father of Colin), would be Poker Player #6 the next year, while Tony Rich, who is playing an unknown character here, would in '96 be a Party Guest.  Michael Fishman's then three-year-old brother Matthew plays his brother Stinky and does a fine job, catchphrase and all.