MovieChat Forums > Roseanne (1988) Discussion > Painful to Watch the Tom Arnold Episodes

Painful to Watch the Tom Arnold Episodes

posted 8 years ago by dopeyguy89
13 replies | jump to latest

They are so cringe worthy. First few episodes he's in you can tell he's coked out of 'er, he cannot stand still to save his life. He bounces back and fourth non stop that you just want to punch him in the jaw to stop him from moving so goddamned much.

And after that he's just not funny and you can tell he was just shoehorned into the series because of his relationship with Roseanne. It's painful to watch, incredibly awkward and just stops whatever episode he's in dead in its tracks.

The only time Arnold was remotely good was in True Lies. Other than that... m'eh...

[–] OldFriendOfTheChristys 8 years ago

Not only do I dislike Tom Arnold, but I dislike the inconsistent writing of his character. Arnie is introduced as someone whom Roseanne and Jackie barely know but eventually becomes someone they'd gone to high school with. Now, in Arnie's defense, 'Why Jackie Becomes a Trucker' is a top-5 episode for me. Mind you, Arnie is still terrible, but Jackie's reaction to having slept with him is comedy gold.

[–] dopeyguy89 8 years ago

In that episode, yes, the performances by the main cast was good. In the earlier episodes something was off with the way they played their parts opposite Arnold, especially Goodman. They were trying to make it work and I think even they knew it wasn't clicking.

Part of the problem was Arnold obviously wasn't an actor. The reason you hire talent around the lead 'comedian' role is so that they make you look good. Jerry Seinfeld admitted to that, he knew he couldn't act and so he hired great talents to round out the cast. Roseanne couldn't act but you don't care because you have rock solid support from everyone else.

Now we have basically a bit player coming who also can't act and it's just distracting as hell. At least Roseanne could deliver a line, joke or punch line. You liked her, what she lacked in talent in being an actress she made up for in charm and wit. Arnold couldn't fall back on that.

[–] jname967 8 years ago

Roseanne eventually became a pretty good actress around Season three and especially Season five, for which she won an emmy for, fittingly. But other than that, she was average yes.

[–] dopeyguy89 8 years ago

I would say she certainly became more confident in being in front of the camera playing this character. I don't think the role would have been as effective with a more accomplished actress, there's a roughness around the edges that worked.

She did deserve her Emmy win, just a damn shame Goodman himself never won. And that it was never nominated for outstanding series was also a huge slight. I'd say the best seasons are the first four when the family truly was struggling pay cheque to pay cheque before they opened the restaurant is what people could relate to the most.

[–] daletterjay180 8 years ago

I thoroughly enjoyed Seasons 4-6 best.

[–] dopeyguy89 8 years ago

Season four had some good things in it, with Becky taking off and the episodes with the bike shop closing. Dan breaking down and blaming himself for everything was emotional. Season six things just started to go downhill a little, some good stuff but with each season it just became more and more strained for comedy, nothing really new. I'll watch them all, except season nine, I gave it a chance a few times and it just doesn't work.

[–] Minus_The_Beer 8 years ago

The thing about the Tom Arnold era is that he was attached to some of the finest seasons. While it's a relief when his name disappears from the credits later down the line, it also coincides with the decline of the show.

'Remember when' is the lowest form of conversation. - Tony Soprano

[–] dopeyguy89 8 years ago

True, he was in the best section of the shows run. And he was only in a dozen episodes all together so he didn't ruin the series. But I was watching some of the earlier shows with him in it and his scenes are just embarrassing to sit through. Roseanne was trying to fit him in where he just didn't belong, and his first few episodes where he's obviously cracked out of 'er was enduring to get through. He kept fidgeting and rocking back and fourth that you just want to slam a brick into his head to stop him.

And then, I think it was season five, the occasional attempt at promoting his show that he had on during that season (I forget the name of the sitcom, Jackie Thomas Show or something), was pitiful at best. When the Conner's take the road trip to California with their neighbors and the end where they go to a taping of the sitcom with Tom Arnold there was pathetic. (I think that was the last time Arnold appeared on Roseanne).

I was happy when he left, but agree that by the time it happened the show started to go downhill.

[–] Honeybefine 8 years ago

We have to sort give him some praise. He stopped Roseanne from putting the lottery win in sooner. He told her it was a bad idea. He was right.

I didn't mind him. I always hated Nancy, though who he was paired with. I also hated how when he kisses Roseanne she acts like he's dreamy. When Jackie did the dance with no pants with Arnie, he was vile. Really just Roseanne being Roseanne.

[–] LaraCroftLegacy 8 years ago

I never like Nancy

Lara Croft Himiko! The First Sun Queen! This is Yamatai.

[–] dopeyguy89 8 years ago

Nancy had her moments, there were some good scenes but in the end I felt they forced Crystal out of the picture so there was room to have a 'gay friend' role in there.

[–] banjo-peppers 8 years ago

I actually don't dislike Arnie, but the earlier episodes when, as you say, it's obvious he's coked out of his mind, are annoying to watch just because he's obviously coked out of his mind, and not in a really funny way like Robin Williams as Mork.

I don't hate Arnie but I don't hate that he was written off the show.

[–] AdrianLePier 8 years ago

I didn't mind Arnie with Nancy. I think that was the only time both of their characters were tolerable. I don't know if I want to say that they had 'chemistry,' but in an odd kind of way, Arnold and Sandra Bernhard (sp?) played off of each other decently...or at the very least, they sort of tempered or cancelled each other others weaknesses out.