"Finally, a real mother comes to television."
By the late 80’s and early 90’s, America was ready for a family they could relate to. With the rise of juggler families, both parents were now working just to pay the bills. The Conner family struggled with the issues of everyday people, giving them a voice and making them relatable.
An article entitled "White Trash in the Twentieth Century" states, "“…at the outset of the nineties, it appears that American is ready for a healthy dose of realism, and, as a result, television’s number one politically correct, wealthy, and attractive Cosby family gets displaced by the overweight, loud-mouthed, underclass Conner family of the hit show Roseanne” (9).
Upon first glance, the Conner’s do appear to be a rundown, somewhat dysfunctional family with a never-ending list of issues and two overweight parents. This was a moment in media where two main characters did not depend on appearance for likability - immediately setting the Conner's apart from the Cosby's and other golden families of the seventies and eighties.
An article entitled "White Trash in the Twentieth Century" states, "“…at the outset of the nineties, it appears that American is ready for a healthy dose of realism, and, as a result, television’s number one politically correct, wealthy, and attractive Cosby family gets displaced by the overweight, loud-mouthed, underclass Conner family of the hit show Roseanne” (9).
Upon first glance, the Conner’s do appear to be a rundown, somewhat dysfunctional family with a never-ending list of issues and two overweight parents. This was a moment in media where two main characters did not depend on appearance for likability - immediately setting the Conner's apart from the Cosby's and other golden families of the seventies and eighties.
While the Conner's hometown of Lanford, a fictional town set in Illinois, is not a part of backwoods Appalachia, the Conner's still cannot escape the hillbilly/white trash stereotype. On the contrary, they often times seem to embrace them. Perhaps no episode better exemplifies this than "A White Trash Christmas," in which the Conner's reflect on their financial ability to send Becky to college (1:25 to 2:10) and are mailed a letter from the neighborhood association asking them to only put up understated white Christmas lights for the holiday season in an effort to keep the neighborhood classy. (3:23 - 3:59)
"They singled us out honey," says Dan.
"We're the tackiest house in the neighborhood."
"Well," Roseanne replies,"This year I say let's go for the national title."
"They singled us out honey," says Dan.
"We're the tackiest house in the neighborhood."
"Well," Roseanne replies,"This year I say let's go for the national title."
The episode ends with Roseanne lovingly placing a wreath made out of beer cans on the front door, once again ensuring them the tackiest house award.
It is important to note that even though "A White Trash Christmas" reflects on the white trash stereotype of tacky Christmas lights, this is just a surface portrayal. The bulk of the episode revolves around something more important: Becky's college education. Roseanne and Dan were able to save enough money to send their daughter to college and emphasized its importance throughout the episode.