Roseanne: Let's Call It Quits

Roseanne: Let's Call It Quits
ABC
May 2, 1989
Sitcom
DVD
B

McFadzean & Anderson wrote this season-closer and game-changer where a sadistic new supervisor drives Roseanne to quit, with her coworker friends joining her.  (Anne Faulkner and Charlaine Woodard return as Sylvia and Vonda, and, yes, we would see them again.)  Most of the episode is set at the factory, but Dan is wonderfully supportive in the scene at home.  Note that it's never explained whether Booker quit or was fired, but he does hang out with the gang at the Lobo.

Roseanne in Season One is fresh and funny, unlike anything else on TV from that time.  There are missteps, especially with the factory and Booker, but when the show focuses on the family, particularly Roseanne and Dan's wonderfully real relationship, it's golden.  I would like for the kids to have had more to do, but they, especially little Michael as DJ, had to grow into their roles.  Metcalf also hasn't yet shown us what she's capable of.  Still, for a first season to range from C+ to B+ and average out to a low B is impressive, and I had had relatively low expectations compared to later seasons.  I'm eager to see how Season Two looks....