The Conners‘ New Main Title Sequence Revealed in Season 5 Opener — and DJ Isn’t the Only Family Member M.I.A.
The Conners‘ main title sequence just got a major overhaul.
Wednesday’s Season 5 opener unveiled the Roseanne spinoff’s first new title sequence since the offshoot launched in October 2018. It’s the first in the franchise’s history to exclude Michael Fishman’s DJ, who exited the offshoot ahead of Season 5. To fill the void, Jay R. Ferguson’s Ben has been added to the opener. (In an upcoming episode, viewers will learn that DJ left Lanford to reunite with Geena.)
The new opening features Dan (John Goodman), Jackie (Laurie Metcalf), Darlene (Sara Gilbert), Becky (Lecy Goranson), Harris (Emma Kenney), Mark (Ames McNamara), Mary (Jayden Rey) and Ben at the kitchen table as they feast on Chinese takeout — just like the Conner clan did in Roseanne‘s Season 7 credits. Not present are Dan’s wife Louise or Jackie’s new husband Neville, whose portrayers, Katey Sagal and Nat Faxon, remain recurring guest stars.
The fact that The Conners had yet to change its main title sequence seemed awfully odd, especially when you considered that A) Roseanne featured 11 different main title sequences during its 10-season run, and B) the scene shown in the Conners‘ opening credits during Seasons 1-4 represented the family’s first sit-down breakfast after Roseanne Conner died.
“We really haven’t changed or altered those in any way [since Season 1],” executive producer Bruce Helford acknowledged during an October 2021 interview with TVLine, shortly after Dan married Louise. “Honestly, I imagine if we did alter them, we would be including [Katey Sagal].” But alas, Sagal is still not a series regular.
Wednesday’s premiere saw newlyweds Darlene and Ben, and Jackie and Neville, embark on a joint honeymoon, where their cost-saving measures contributed to a tension-filled getaway. Elsewhere, Dan, Becky, Harris, Mark and Beverly Rose spent a night at a waterpark, where Harris and Mark bonded over tequila after Mark found out that his ex-boyfriend was dating someone new.
What did you think of The Conners‘ Season 5 opener — and new main title sequence? Grade the premiere via the following poll, then drop a comment with your full review.
It’s odd how Katey isn’t on the opening sequence OR the premiere episode. I understand Katey has her reasons for not signing on as a regular but is it a budgeting issue on ABC’s end or something? So strange… that’s Dan’s wife!
Love Sagal. We need more of her.
No, we don’t. Dan remarrying so soon and in a rush was completely out of character. And then to marry some sort of hippie – no way.
So soon??? He initially turned Louise down and waited three seasons to get married.
And Sue seems to have forgotten that Roseanne and Dan were hippies when they were young. Yes, Dan played football in high school. But they mentioned getting high a lot when they found that pot and thought it was David’s.
Problem is she is still considered a Special Guest Star. So they’re not going to include her based on that reason. Not sure why she hasn’t signed on as a main star as she’s been in more then half the episodes.
Yeah, the new main title sequence felt off without DJ. Even though he’s no longer on the show, they could have kept him in case he came back for an appearance. But what was really odd, Louise is *still* MIA. The premiere episode was pretty bad though. Just a stupid storyline all around. With some pretty cringe bad writing. Question, is Emma Kenney pregnant? She was wearing all those baggy clothes. Doubt they’ll write that in the show if she is and they are hiding it.
Thought tonight’s episode was hilarious and I’m happy they finally got a new intro after all these years. Would have been nice if Katey Segal was included but I understand she’s not under contract. Wonder why Katey hasn’t signed on as regular.
I recall Katey Sagal (Louise) stating in an interview that she does have a contract with the show. Has her status changed? I also agree that Michael Fishman (DJ) should shown in this opening title, even though he wasn’t asked to be a series regular anymore. DJ is a legacy character after all. So, even if Katey is still considered a “special guest star” she should be featured in the opening sequence. I understand why the actor who plays Neville wouldn’t shown in this opening montage. Actor Nat Faxon is still on recurring status and has other commitments. However, an example of this courtesy occurred with Heather Locklear (Amanda). HL was considered a “special guest star” on Melrose Place years ago. Yet she was featured in the show’s opening sequence and billed that way, as a special guest star. I sense something else is going on here. It’s not just budget cuts at ABC either. Behind the scenes politics are playing a major role into this decision.
She has a recurring contract. I don’t think she wants to be a full time cast member. She likes working on other projects. But I agree she should still be included. I remember when Jackee left 227 and came back as guest star she was included in the intro.
I recall Katey Sagal (Louise) stating in a recent interview that she does have a contract with the show. Has her contract status changed? I also agree that Michael Fishman (DJ) should be shown in this opening title, even though he wasn’t asked to be a series regular anymore. DJ is a legacy character after all. So, even if Katey is still considered a “special guest star” she should be featured in the opening title sequence. I understand why the actor who plays Neville wouldn’t be shown in this opening montage. Actor Nat Faxon is still on recurring status and has other commitments. However, an example of this courtesy occurred with Heather Locklear (Amanda). HL was considered a “special guest star” on Melrose Place years ago. Yet she was featured in the show’s opening sequence and billed that way; as a special guest star. I sense something else is going on here. It’s not just budget cuts at ABC either. Behind the scenes politics are playing a major role into this decision.
What a waste of time. If you blinked you missed the rushed opening credits-scene, everyone had their name in the credits except Katey Sagal (33 episodes) who regardless of still not being a series regular still deserves to be in the opening credits and at the table. And if they bring in that new “surprise” character will he automatically get a seat at the table?? Storyline was weak and disappointing. I was expecting so much more.
I agree. I think Katey should have been added to the opening title sequence right after she and Dan married late last year. Are Dan and Louise are really married, right? Louise is an integral part of the Conner family now too ,right? Leaving Katey out the opening is a slight on the part of the producers and network. I mean Katey Sagal wasn’t even featured in the premiere episode at all. Just a passing reference to Louise and Dan having to put up with Darlene’s kids living in their house. I think Dan mumbled something about Louise being on the road again? Anyway, the network should really do something to correct this mistake. It’s just not right.
The show is weird without her. It took me a bit to accept the idea of Dan remarrying. Now that he has, I’m ok w it, she’s gone. I don’t get it.
The whole show was a train wreck! There’s absolutely no nuance to the storytelling. It’s just a mean show. Something should ring true to make it funny. The honeymoon together? The “shocking” teenage drinking? Tub overflowing? DJ is gone due to lack of character storyline? Could have gone in several directions! Actually, they could focus on all of the other characters. Darlene is the least interesting.
Why is DJ daughter still there & mom & dad are gone?
I thought the same thing. So strange that DJ’s daughter would be included in the intro when both of her parents are not even living in the same town as the rest of the family.
It is going to be revealed in a future episode that DJ left Lanford and Mary to be with his wife Geena. Wasn’t the character of Geena deployed to and staying in Afghanistan? Why would DJ just pick up and leave Mary to be with his wife overseas? Are DJ and Geena having Marital problems and he feels being there solo with her will somehow fix their issues? DJ isn’t a “deadbeat” parent and just leaving Mary with Dan and Louise gives off that impression. It seems like a bit too much. They need to come up with a better explanation for DJ’s absence. Better yet, get Michael Fishman (DJ) back on contract and back permanently on the show.
Better yet get Mary off the show. Let her ‘join’ the 2 parents.
This show just hasn’t been the same since it came back on air. I don’t understand why Jackie’s son Andrew is never mentioned and has never been seen on the new series. It’s just so weird. I was so excited in the beginning to have Roseanne back but the series is just not the same without her and now without DJ. So far this season is bad writing.
Wow – The actor who plays Mark had a major growth spurt.
Show gets worse every episode.. Roseanne was the show.. I just watch the reruns on COZI…. Funny and so down to earth… not sure who ruined this show but it’s just not worth watching anymore
Not a good opening for Connors …just not quality entertainment.
The new title sequence looked forced , Emma’s entrance,she looked so consentrated,Sara,Lacy and Ames looked more of a natural flow
I’m just glad I don’t have to see Dan sucking up that sausage anymore. I always closed my eyes or fast forwarded through that part.
The show is not funny and the actors seem like the don’t want to be there.
I wanted to see Katy in it but not in Roseanne’s chair.