MovieChat Forums > Roseanne (1988) Discussion > Was it realistic that Dan and Roseanne w...

Was it realistic that Dan and Roseanne would want another baby?

posted 8 years ago by AdrianLePier
8 replies | jump to latest

Never liked the addition of Jerry. He added nothing to the show. However, if they were hellbent on incorporating Roseanne's real life pregnancy, then IMO it would have been better for them to make it a surprise. That they spent like two seasons trying to get pregnant always seemed unbelievable to me. Why would these two people, who had spent the first 15-20 years of their marriage in debt, with three kids, working odd jobs, living paycheck to paycheck etc., etc. be trying to get pregnant in their 40s...after finally becoming more financially stable. I'd think most couples in their position would have balked at the idea of another kid after all that.

What makes it all the more awkward is that when Roseanne had the pregnancy scare in season three, she and Dan were less than thrilled about the prospect of it happening.

[–] Brainlock2 8 years ago

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094540/board/nest/263223138
there's already an active thread on Jerry. it even has his name as the header.

=-=
#HowardWasRight

[–] chiluvr1228 8 years ago

I agree. In my opinion when they add babies into the sitcoms that's the end of the show.

[–] banjo-peppers 8 years ago

I liked Jerry. I mean, I agree, he added nothing plot-wise to the show (I just liked him going "Uh-oh!" and how he kept saying "Hi." in that one episode; that baby was CUTE), and it doesn't make sense that Dan and Roseanne would specifically be trying to get pregnant given their financial status, but it's not like that's not realistic for people who are almost living hand to mouth to have another kid. And they were a bit better off when they started trying for Jerry.

Maybe it would've made more sense to explore why specifically Roseanne wanted another baby. I don't remember there actually being a reason. Like was she just jealous of Jackie having a baby, was she trying to fill her nearly-empty nest back up? All I remember is her saying she wanted another baby, and so they started trying for one.

It really would've made more sense for it to be an accident/surprise/disaster.

I can't believe they didn't take the opportunity to then put Roseanne into funny Lamaze class situations, and maybe be encouraged to take Jerry to mommy and me classes, and there'd be really crazy characters in both situations. They just had the baby and then the baby was just there.

[–] chiluvr1228 8 years ago

Roseanne and Dan were trying for another baby when Rosie apparently got her period. She was talking to Jackie about it and how disappointed she was when Jackie spilled the beans that she was pregnant.

In real life Roseanne was pregnant and so they incorporated it into the show which was definitely stupid. They were finally at a point in their lives when two out of the three kids were out of the house and their financial situation had improved. Roseanne mentioned empty nest syndrome but still they would have been able to enjoy being just the two of them as soon as DJ left.

Not one of the better storylines although I loved this show.

"Vulgarity is no substitute for wit".

[–] GabbyLane67 8 years ago

No, I have never liked the idea of Jerry & as you say it isn't realistic at all.

Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop & look around once in awhile you could miss it - Ferris

[–] ilovejnames 8 years ago

I can see it being realistic, actually. People want to have more babies all the time for selfish reasons even when they can't afford it. (Maybe not at the age of 42, but it is common.) I don't understand it and I can't relate to it at all, but I see it happen all the time.

But I agree, Jerry added nothing to the show. He was just kind of there...(when he was there.) In my view, there are only three Conner kids.

[–] Minus_The_Beer 8 years ago

What makes it all the more awkward is that when Roseanne had the pregnancy scare in season three, she and Dan were less than thrilled about the prospect of it happening.

While I agree that it is unrealistic that given their situation they would want another kid, it must be noted that people are allowed to change their minds about things. Hence why in season three they didn't want a baby, but apparently changed their minds a few seasons down the line.

Anyone here mentions Hotel California dies before the first line clears his lips.

[–] hnt_dnl 8 years ago

Several shows of the time added a 4th child: Roseanne, Growing Pains, Family Ties. It seemed to be the thing to do, 3 big kids then add a baby to the mix.