The Conners Premiere: The Story Behind That George Clooney ‘Cameo’
![[VIDEO] The Conners Recap Season 3 Episode 1: George Clooney as Booker](https://tvline.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/michael_final_v2.jpg?w=300&h=300&crop=1)
For its Season 3 premiere, The Conners dug deep into into its storied archives and pulled out a George Clooney! [pmc_inline_gallery]
In Wednesday’s opener, Dan announces to the family that Wellman Plastics — the industrial Lanford behemoth that employed Roseanne and Jackie in the early days of the original Roseanne, and featured then-relatively unknown Clooney as their boss Booker— is embarking on a COVID-related hiring spree. The news immediately sends Jackie into reminisce-mode as she wistfully, meta-tastically recalls her former beau/supervisor “who looked just like George Clooney,” before cracking, “I should’ve hit that ’til I broke it.”
ABC‘s top-rated sitcom went all-in on the throwback gag, queuing up a circa-’80s Season 1 Roseanne clip of Clooney’s Booker and Laurie Metcalf’s Jackie on a bowling date (watch the moment below). It was a rare instance of The Conners playing up its connection to the Roseanne Barr-led mothership series.
#TheConners is sending us down memory lane tonight at 9|8c on ABC! We all want a George Clooney. pic.twitter.com/v8ixrtquYO
— The Conners (@TheConnersABC) October 21, 2020
Explaining the decision to draw on the franchise’s considerable history by using vintage Roseanne footage, showrunner Bruce Helford tells TVLine, “As soon as we decided that Darlene and Becky would work on the Wellman line like their mom and Jackie before them, we knew it’d be fun to pop in a memory of George. There’s such a rich history to this show and we have the unique gift to be able to flash back to earlier times with our characters, so we pick carefully.”
With Wellman Plastics once again a fixture in the lives of the Conners, Helford is not ruling out present-day Clooney making an appearance at some point. He’s also not holding his breath. “George knows there’s an open invitation to come visit the show, but we knew his schedule would be tough and even tougher in these times,” Helford says. “But who knows what the future may bring?”
In the meantime, Helford has no plans to introduce a new Wellman foreman, although the showrunner teases, “We are revealing some Wellman execs as we go… and some of [them] are very close to home.”
What did you think of Clooney’s “guest appearance” in the COVID-dominated premiere? And are you on board with the show’s decision to lean so heavily into the real-life pandemic in Season 3? Grade the episode and then elaborate in the comments.
Where was DJ? I wish he was in the show more.
I know the actor is supposed to be directing some episodes this season. Maybe this is one of them
Good question. I was wondering the same thing about him and his daughter Mary. Where do they sleep?
They explained that before dj was directing this episode
He directed episode 2, not this one.
I liked the Booker flashback, that was fun :).
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I think they handled the realities and stresses of the pandemic well, with the nod to the job and home struggles and whatnot. Of course, in TV land some of this stuff was resolved more quickly (or just resolved, period) compared to the real world, but still, I do like how they addressed the issues involved. Emilio’s bit about the rules always changing regarding his situation was also quite poignant.
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But I do like that they still managed to find the humor as well, with Mark being as diligent about the safety precautions as he was and Darlene and Becky’s little “Laverne and Shirley” moment and whatnot. And I like how Louise continues to be a strong source of support for Dan as well.
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It’s nice to have the family back. Look forward to seeing how things continue to fare for everyone as the season goes on.
I really really miss Roseanne. She was the heart and soul of the family and the show. It’s just not the same and actually is rather depressing
The show is so much better without her. Roseanne was trash.
You’re right Roseanne is Trash.. but no, the show is nowhere near as good as it was with her.
I think it’s much better now, too. Roseanne screamed all of her lines as if volume and screeching made it more believable. Much prefer this version of the show.
It’s not the same but I don’t think it’s depressing. As a teen I watched the original Roseanne show for the four teens (Becky, Darlene, Mark and David). The sisters dynamic between Roseanne and Jackie is now mirrored with adult Becky and Darlene. They have a different relationship than they had as teens.
I didn’t like the one season Roseanne revival very much. Roseanne herself seemed bored. Some of the supporting roles were not fleshed out enough to care for them (Harris and Geena).
But when they came back as The Conners I recognized the heart of the original show. Stories about a family that struggles through life with relatable situations. Something most other TV series (no matter whether sitcoms or drama) miss completely.
Of all rebooted TV series I like The Conners the most. And Katey Sagal is a great addition to the cast.
I don’t miss her at all. I really hated her laugh.
I think the show is far better with John Goodman as the true head of the household.
I agree,I REALLY miss Roseanne too. Its just not the same show without her. The other actors are great (well most of them, minus the little boy and Sarah Chalke, she never could act and it blew my mind that they cast her as Becky’s replacement). But Roseanne was always the lead of the story and it’s just not very good without her. However, in the season 10 Reboot with her I HATED the constant political commentary. It wasn’t the time to be endorsing a President and it made her look back to do so. They should keep politics out of the show IMO.
NO Not missing Roseanne Barr, troop racist for my blood
I really miss Roseanne! Where can I find the last 3-4 episodes, & find the 1st 3-4 episodes of The Connors? Current re-runs of Roseanne only show the same shows over & over, about a dozen. I really miss her!!
does everyone in the family have to be a failure? and ALL evictions and foreclosures stopped during the epidemic so why say they were being foreclosed on? and Dan never took rent because they all are broke – so when they insist he ask for rent they all say they do not have it! and if Becky married the baby’s father – why could he still be deported? nothing made sense!! the George Clooney clip was the best part!
” and ALL evictions and foreclosures stopped during the epidemic so why say they were being foreclosed on? ”
This is not true. But the numbers were below-average. Just google for “usa evictions coronavirus”.
Don’t spread misinformation!
Also: it was explained why Emilio could still be deported.
Not true only government controlled stuff was..if u have home bought thru personal loans etc…ur not covered ..
All this feel good stuff we saved everyone u know there are always falling thru cracks..
There not suppose to be garnishing checks for medical but they still are…loop hole if it’s an older bill before pandemic…
There will always be loop holes..
And new contracts for people moving in have been changed to word u will be able to handle bills under all circumstances so for future pandemics more loop holes more big people keeping there moneys
Booker left the show after physically abusing Jackie if memory serves.
Who would’ve hit who until they broke?
It was Fisher that beat Jackie up not Booker
Booker had already left the show by this point
That was Fisher. Booker left because the show didn’t know what they had and let GC go then seriously regretted it.
True, granted by this point Dan should have paid off the house or at worst have a ton of equity in it so worst case a reverse mortgage, He has owned the same house for at least 30+years.
Granted the motorcycle Shop, his construction buisness, or the original Landford he could of put a 2nd or 3rd mortgage
They took a second one out for the bike shop. They didn’t for the Lunchbox. I don’t recall them ever mentioning one for Dan’s drywall business. My advice is to just ignore the logistics. The showrunners haven’t cared about continuity or logic since the original run.
Fisher abused Jackie not Booker
This show is a disgrace. Sara Gilbert is a hack. Shame on them all. Bring back Roseanne.
I totally agree!
So glad for the George Clooney appearance! See, the use of old clips does count as a cameo! I still would have liked clips of more of the Wellman workers (whom I won’t mention again, because I’m afraid I’ll get mocked again), but I hope there can be more acknowledgment of them if the Wellman Plastics storyline continues!
The reason this show has lasted so long is because it does live in reality…wages, homelessness,kids retaliation,hard to find food and jobs,…..covid is very relavent
I just find the show incredibly sad. If I want real life I would turn off the tv. Maybe I’m not following it closely, but shouldn’t, by this point, the mortgage be paid off or is it a back tax thing?
Also, do the transitions seem choppy as if they never seem to know how to end the scene or is it just me?
An incredibly depressing half hour of TV
I agree! Like it almost gave me anxiety. I get it though, it’s reality for many people. And I still enjoy the show and the characters. I just felt anxious.
Didn’t Booker beat Jacky and Dan went to jail over kicking Bookers butt? Why would this be a fond memory?
No, that’s Fisher.
Fisher was only around for a few episodes. Booker had a longer arc.
Booker was in 11 episodes and Fisher was in 6. One of those character’s arcs had a lasting impression on Jackie’s character up until the spinoff. I’ll let you try and figure out which one.
That was Fisher, not Booker
When are you going to make The Conners funny? The show is way too sad and OMG! Wellman Plastics? Roseanne would have died before she let her kids go to work there.
Well she did… 🤣
Lol.
Remember when they won the lottery? She bought in or bought from (james brolin) the factory.He played wellman Jr. Rosanne did it so people wouldn’t lose their jobs
PLEASE convince George Clooney to make room in his schedule to male a guest appearance on the Conners. That would be awesome! This episode was excellent!! And for the record, I still miss Roseanne!!!
The way I understand it, the show did indeed kill off Roseanne’s character. Therefore, unless you were trying to be sardonic, the kids working there was actually over their mother’s dead body.
I watched this episode and found it boring even though I’ve been enjoying The Conners sitcom all along and like all of the actors. Personally, I don’t expect the show to be perfect, and I realize Jackie is rough around the edges, but that comment in reference to George Clooney about how she should have hit that until it broke, actually left me mulling over my mounting lost respect.
I’m female, and if a man had said that, I think people would have been all over the place mad. Plus, Jackie’s character seems to be getting louder and goofier. I just watched some old Roseanne shows where Jackie had more common sense than her character does now.
The characters are becoming too broken, too dysfunctional, and I’m losing interest in this show. On a side note, Darlene’s boyfriend seems, to me, to be adding great substance to this show, and I’d thought it would be Dan’s girlfriend, (Katie Segal). Her character doesn’t seem to have the same comical sparkle as she’s had in her other sitcoms. Though I loved her in all of those shows, perhaps her role in The Conners is intended to be more dramatic, which isn’t working so well for me. I’m sorry to admit I must be stereotyping her character to be as funny as her numerous other character roles. I’ll try harder to see past that.
Considering how difficult it must be to do these TV shows during this pandemic, I’m going to hang in there and give things more time. I do like The Conners!
Oh, and while it makes sense why Beverly (Estelle Getty) isn’t around much anymore, I do miss seeing her wonderful acting!
Estelle Harris is Beverly. Estelle Gerry was Sophia on The Golden Girls.
I love the show, but where are do they all sleep?
Dan and Louise in master br;
Becky and Beverly Rose in the basement;
Darlene and Ben in the sisters’ br;
Do D.J. and his daughter Mary share D.J.s room or did they move away?
Where do Harris and Mark sleep?
DJ doesn’t live there. Mark and Harris sleep in what used to be the sisters bedroom.
But last night, Ben said something to Darlene about “sleeping in her childhood bed.” So if Mark and Harris on in the sisters’s room, where are Becky and Ben?
Where do D.J. and Mary live now? I guess is they moved away, Mark and Harris would be sharing his old room?
I’ve enjoyed the Dinners for two seasons, but the last thing I need on my life right now is to watch depressed people talk about how terrible life is, which is all this episode gave us. Sorry. Big fat fail
We are all soo tired of this pandemic, we turn to tv and comedy to forget about it. Dwelling on all that is wrong doesn’t work
We want ROSEANNE!!!!
Yes we do!! Bring her back!!
Would like to see something positive to happen to them so that the house gets paid off and someone is in a better position
John Goodman looked rather drawn in this episode. I hope that he’s feeling okay (he’s a genuinely wonderful person).
For me the episode was too depressing. I understand that it was realistic and reflective of what many families are going through, but real life is depressing enough now so watching that on tv is not that enjoyable. I know they tried to insert comedy, but for me it felt light on comedy and heavy on depressing stuff. I would have preferred if the bad things were dished out a bit at a time instead of one right after the other in the first episode. It felt like too much to enjoy. They have a lot of heavy stuff with every character right now so I think there is an element of levity that is missing. Again, I know that reflects the times but this is tv so they could spread out the heavy stuff throughout the season and not throw it all in one episode. That said, it is the only thing on at that time I watch so I will still watch. I just might not enjoy this season as much as I would like to.
YES BRING CLOONEY BACK FOR AS A SPECIAL GUEST!!! That would be AWSOME!!!
That was depressing. A real downer. I don’t watch The Conners so I can be sad. Nothing good or funny about it. Well, maybe one good thing. Becky and Darlene got jobs. But why are they at their ages living in their Dad’s house (with their children yet) and not paying him anything as he faces eviction? And what’s with Darlene? Is she just so randy or just plain selfish that she has to bring yet another unemployed, non paying person to live at her Dad’s house too?