MovieChat Forums > Roseanne (1988) Discussion > Should've Made Darlene a Lesbian

Should've Made Darlene a Lesbian

posted 8 years ago by NightSprings
9 replies | jump to latest

I love the character of Darlene. And Sara Gilbert is amazing. But Sara's more masculine traits were distracting when she was trying to play Darlene as a straight female. All of Darlene's relationships feel extremely forced and awkward. There was no chemistry between her and David and there was zero chemistry between her and Jimmy. In fact, when she's hanging out with Becky's ex Dean, I kinda half expect them to start playing football. I loved that they made Darlene such a tomboy. It was very refreshing. I even love when she's a teen and she's still a tomboy. But they should have softened her character in certain scenes with David. It was just very off. I don't know how to say it without sounding like I'm bashing anyone. I'm not. I'M gay. I'm just saying that Sara's sexuality and mannerisms should've been distanced a little bit more from Darlene's or they should've made Darlene a lesbian. I personally would've liked it if she fell in love with a girl who was like Becky. That would've been hilarious. But honestly... whenever I rewatch the series, I hate when they introduce David because he really ruins her character.

[–] hillbrian2005 8 years ago

Having a gay family member especially a child would have been alot more risky back then.

[–] Honeybefine 8 years ago

I agree. Part of this is just a terrible actress in general. When I see her on The Talk or TBBT, I just zone out. She has this way of talking that has no emotion. NONE. Like when she was showing her girlfriend, she has that same chemistry as she does when she acts with men. If someone showed me her with her girlfriend (or wife now?), I'd just assume she was acting. She was always a terrible actress. Why they didn't do this arch is two fold. One, let's say SG came out as a teen. What are they going to do with David? Have him be even more useless? Two, SG probably wasn't out of the closet yet. I bet everyone could tell, because I remember when I was a kid watching this and my mom and grandmother saying she acts like a lesbian.

[–] NightSprings 8 years ago

I was about to say I think Sara is a fantastic actress, but if that was true, I wouldn't see so much of her in Darlene. I think she was excellent at times, especially her comedic skills and timing. I love Darlene's dry sense of humor, and I think out of every family sitcom ever, she's probably the most talented and hilarious "kid" ever.

[–] Honeybefine 8 years ago

She was so hilarious. That's why much of her tenure on the show was playing some form of depression. I can imagine it now. Writer 1: That Sara Gilbert sure is hilarious.
Write 2: You know, because she's so funny and has such a great range, let's have her play a depressed character always moping around.
Writer 1: Lacey and Michael really stink. Let's give them the varied material and funny lines. You know, because they're less talented.
:/

[–] alanjobe 8 years ago

Lecy was only bad in season one and season eight. But she was great in seasons two thru five.

Sara was pretty one-note. She could throw out zingers but she couldn't do the emotional stuff that Lecy did so well.

[–] Honeybefine 8 years ago

I know SG is pretty terrible with her voice that never shows any sort of emotion.

[–] rndgurl-971-654277 8 years ago

The only Darlene I liked myself was tomboy Darlene.. once she faded to black and they turned it into the Darlene/David show, I increasingly disliked Darlene and her attitude a great deal...

[–] jname967 8 years ago

I agree that Sara Gilbert isn't much of an actress. She's limited. She's good at playing latter years Darlene, because it WAS based on her own personality then: serious, reserved, standoffish—with sarcastic zingers thrown in.

The younger Darlene was much more naturalistic and expressive, and was the only time Sara truly was called on to display deeper acting skills. And yes, she was actually pretty good then—when she was younger.

[–] Brainlock2 8 years ago

Funny story: Sara and Johnny actually dated during the show.

I'm not sure when she came out, but it was after the show and she did admit that she ended it because she was starting to realize she was lesbian. Kissing Drew Barrymore in Poison Ivy only fanned that flame.

There are still rumors about Johnny's preference, too, btw. I think they mostly come from that "Little Dog Laughed"(?) play, where his character is gay and does a full nude scene on stage. Most search results for "Johnny Galecki wife" come back as ...Sara (D&D/L&L)...Kaley...Kelli Green? so....?

as for her acting, I thought she really grew and worked well with the adult cast after Lecy left. Sarah had no chemistry with anyone as Becky2. and DJ...well, BOB (John McConnell) had better lines/storyarcs than him!

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