15 Things You Never Knew About ‘Roseanne’

Controversy, rumors, and expletives were commonplace behind-the-scenes and surrounding American sitcom Roseanne, a hugely popular show that aired from 1988 to 1997. For nine seasons fans laughed along with the blue-collar Conner family’s financial misfortunes, and the hilarious antics surrounding them and the supporting cast. The series, which was rated as one of the greatest shows of all time by TV Guide, starred comedienne Roseanne Barr, known for her hot temper, strong opinions and quick, yet sharp tongue. Fans went along for the ride with the cast without looking back for six seasons, and arguably for many it lost its punch by season eight. Here are some shockers, scandals and shenanigans from the Roseanne set you might not know about.

1. Oops, Wrong Scalpel…

Remember that time when Roseanne Barr was orange? Well not exactly, but in the first few episodes of season six she wore so much makeup that she didn’t quite look her right…color. According to the star, after the intense plastic surgery she’d undergone in the hiatus following season five, her surgeon sewed a scalpel inside her face and more surgery was necessary to remove it. Yikes! She wasn’t completely healed by the start of the new season and makeup was caked on to hide the bruises. As for what she’d had done—Barr went under the knife for a nose job, cheek implants, chin, face lift, eyes, and more.

2. Writers’ Strike

Beyond the real writers strike that impacted the launch of the show, the Roseanne writers must have wanted to walk out frequently while working with the tyrannical namesake of the show. Apparently, it wasn’t all fun and laughs working in the writers’ room. Many disclosed to Entertainment Weekly in 2008 that Barr referred to them by numbers, making them wear t-shirts of their numerical namesake. “I wanted to strip them of their huge, colossal self-entitlement,” she allegedly ranted, “Hey, you’re just a cog in the wheel here! It’s not about you.” One would think it’d be a dream to be on the set of a hit show like Roseanne and in theory it was, but as the saying goes—the grass is always greener…

3. Roseanne Once Boycotted Her Own Show

Roseanne had lots of conflict with producers and writers. During one head-butting session in season two, Roseanne objected to one line of dialogue and walked off the set over it. They rejigged the episode and made it about Roseanne’s sister Jackie taking care of the Connors for a weekend. Roseanne only appeared at the beginning and ending credits, and wore an armband in protest.