Conners Boss on Becky’s Relapse: ‘We May Have Done a Disservice Making It Look So Easy to Stop Cold Turkey’
Becky’s sobriety journey took an unfortunate detour during the March 31 episode of The Conners, when the single mother allowed herself a glass of wine at dinner with an old friend. That slip resulted in a full-blown relapse, which occurred midway through Wednesday’s dramatic two-parter. [pmc_inline_gallery]
Asked to explain why Becky fell off the wagon, showrunner Bruce Helford tells TVLine, “When she was going through her original drinking problem on the show, she stopped [because] she was pregnant. After the baby was born, she stopped nursing and could conceivably drink again [but she didn’t]. And we thought we may have done a little bit of a disservice making it look so easy that someone could stop cold turkey.
“It isn’t so easy to [quit drinking] for most people, and our show is always trying to be a touchstone of reality in a world of sitcoms that often is not,” Helford continues. “She would definitely come up against this problem again.”
This time around, Becky will seek professional help to overcome her addiction. “She’s going into rehab,” Helford confirms. “We’re dealing with it a bit more realistically… There are a few episodes [that cover] her journey. We definitely see the process that she goes through.”
Meanwhile, Helford hopes to explore the impact Becky’s relapse has on her baby daddy Emilio in a potential fourth season. Speaking of which, where exactly do things stand in terms of a renewal?
“It’s being discussed,” Helford shares, adding, “I think we do well [in the ratings]. When you get the DVR numbers, the audience is very loyal to us…. And we all love this so much, so the will on our side is certainly there.”
As for whether the Season 3 finale could serve as a makeshift series finale in the event the show does not come back, Helford admits, “It’s a very satisfying end of a season, I’ll put it that way. I don’t know if I would consider it an end of a series. But it’s definitely going to be a very satisfying end-of-season show for the audience.”
Maybe it will end on a most hopeful or optimistic note? Not as dreary?
I agree. I love the family and the characters besides Jackie, but damn make it a little more funny and less serious.
Scrap would happen to Roseanne and she fight back in a funny loving way. I really miss that this season.
The two parter was unexpected but so good! Not sure why they changed its time slot this year but it’s the best comedy on tv so it better come back!
Agree!!
Kudos to everyone involved with the show! Thank you for returning and keep the series a staple we can relate to and grow with. See you after hiatus…and my DVR will be recording your show as long as I’m alive. !! Don’t ever go away! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I really wanted to transplant Becky into the cast of Mom after the last episode.
It’s killing me! I loved MOM!
The show is definitely coming back btw. They could go on for several more if they go back and do more with people and plot lines they haven’t explored. I can see hints are more stuff now so it’s starting to head back in the right direction
I hope the Conners gets renewed its fantastic ! i have been watching since Rosanne first aired and its still one of best !
I think it’s great the writers are picking it back up. Very few people can just cold turkey any substance. Because of society, alcohol is one of the hardest to stay sober from too.
I love this show and want a 4th season. Indeed Becky needed to relapse cuz it isn’t easy. Great realism and helpful messages.
You can quit “cold turkey” many people have done it!
No matter what anyone says…relapse is a part of recovery. I have first hand knowledge.
I know they need it but I hope Darlene goes on that vacation. I sure would. I have never been to Hawaii and would jump on it. And I am am always struggling too maybe not as bad but just saying. It was sad her friend dying though. I think the actress had plastic surgery she looks different. Has she done acting since Roseanne?
I feel like the compromise could’ve/should’ve been ‘what if we still go but downgrade to coach’, that’s still gotta come with a decent return…
No she didn’t have plastic surgery. It’s called growing up from a teen into a 40 year old! DUH! Imagine that!?!
Stressed or not, she needs to listen to him, sell the tickets and do what’s right for her household. She needs to grow up. She made her daughter a selfish monster—loved when Roseanne dunked her.
Darlene can put her big girl panties on.
I hate the direction the show has gone. It is so dark and depressing. Watching season 10 of roseanne and this show and they have a stark difference. There’s just not enough quality laughs like the older show.
I agree, this isn’t the Roseanne show I remember. I don’t think we will ever have good comedy shows like we had years ago ever again.
I love the Conners, but I miss Roseanne. The show was so much better with her. I think it was an overreaction to kick her off the show over a stupid joke. I’m glad Becky is going to rehab. Addiction is difficult to overcome without help. I’m also glad they’re fostering a Pug! I’d love to see more of him!
Love x 100 the Connors. I loved Roseanne but this show is much more intellectually funny. Becky and Darlene are just great. I hope this is not cancelled. There is so little on tv now that is worth watching.
Dont cancel my favourite tv show please
I do think the writers should lighten up a bit but I also think they’re not trying to be Roseanne. For better or worse that show is gone forever. The Conners has more of a All In The Family vibe and when you view it in those terms, it’s not that bad. They should bring back Fred and Andy though. Poor Jackie needs a life.
having anything in moderation… had a eating issue for a bit last year… took me most of the year to get back to moderate eating like i normal did. dam covide and my gram death ….
Please bring it back, we have to see Becky beat this thing. We do need the Conners to get a break once in awhile, they deserve it. No family that has worked this hard should be that miserable, give them some good things to live for please!!
I always thought Lecy Goranson was the most underrated, under appreciated actress on TV. It’s great to see her really shine this season.
That two parter episodes were excellent and to me the conners is the most realistic show on the air. Comedy wise. Yes it can be depressing. But so was Roseanne. I.E Loosing Jobs, Electric being cut off, abuse and etc. The writers have done a great job. Lastly, Lecy Goranson has done an amazing job on this series and deserves an award for her work. I’m pretty sure they are going to be renewed for a 4th season.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DON’T END THE SHOW!!!! I have felt like I had my family back! Both of my parents are deceased and my family is elsewhere in the country and the first episode when it came back on as Roseanne literally brought me to tears. I felt like I was home! And it absolutely devastated me when they took Roseanne off the show. I felt like my mother had died again! Not to mention the fact that in the real world it probably devastated Roseanne beyond anything we could ever understand, that show was her baby. She got teased with a reboot for the show and a reboot for her life and it was just taken away from her. I understand that’s another issue, but please don’t take the show away too! It would devastate so many of us.
I was so impressed with your more authentic story line about Becky’s relapse. Being recovering myself for many years and having never been able to “cold turkey” it I appreciate this story line especially for such a deadly disease!
Looking for new storylines in S4? How about including DJ, a vet, and his interacial marriage, his child Mary and his perspective on family matters?
Baloney.
It’s all about trashing everyone else so the Roseanne…The Conners show can become…Darlene. You all try to make her better than the rest of the fam. Now Becky needs rehab so she’ll be gone a while…during that we can focus on ” poor Darlene.” That’s what this relapse is…to turn the focus on Darlene. I like Becky and her baby daddy. I like Dan and Louise. I even liked Dan and Jackie in the epi An Officer and A Gentleman. Darlene shouldn’t be a plant boss. Her personality is icky…but Harris is worse!
We love Becky…she is a great actress and makes the show for me! Also like the actress that plays Harris,Darlenes daughter …hint of Roseanne in her.