Roseanne
Darlene Fades to Black
TV Flash files “Darlene Fades to Black” as hour 76 of 231 in the TV Flash guide — Roseanne (1988–1997) on ABC, season 4, episode 4, aired 1991-10-08, 30 min.
From the desk
How this hour is filed
This leaf is S04E04: listed hour 76 of 231 in the Roseanne guide, hour 4 of 25 in season 4. It aired 1991-10-08 (30 min). The listed hour before it is “Why Jackie Becomes a Trucker” (S04E03). Next is “Tolerate Thy Neighbor” (S04E05).
Catalog log
Broadcast listing — not a TV Flash recap.
Darlene slips into a depressive state, wanting to wear only black, watch TV and be left alone; Becky wants a motorcycle.
Viewer FAQ
Where does Darlene Fades to Black sit in the Roseanne guide?
S04E04 is listed hour 76 of 231 — hour 4 of 25 in season 4, season 4 episode 4.
When did Roseanne S04E04 air?
Darlene Fades to Black aired 1991-10-08 and is listed at 30 minutes.
Original Roseanne or later revival?
Start with the ABC original (1988–1997). That is the working-class sitcom that re-centered the genre. The late-2010s revival/reboot era is a different, controversial afterlife.
In the series
Why this series still plays
The gold standard of working-class sitcom honesty in the network era — Goodman and Metcalf alone are worth the tuition. Loud, broke Lanford, Illinois, with Barr at the head of a household that refused sitcom polish. Funny because it's specific, not soft. Later reboot politics complicated the brand; the original run still re-centers who got to be the American family.
So about last night in Lanford: the group chat is still arguing whether this is comfort TV or a bruise with a laugh track. (I said spoiler-free. I lied a little about the coupons.) ABC's Roseanne (1988–1997) put Roseanne Barr and John Goodman at the head of a loud, funny, financially stressed household that refused sitcom polish. Sara Gilbert, Lecy Goranson (and later Sarah Chalke), Laurie Metcalf's Jackie. Working-class chaos without the Cosby sweater. Lana can keep the gown. This living room is bills.
Filed against
- Roseanne Barr as Roseanne Conner
Roseanne Barr's Roseanne Conner made Roseanne the gold standard of working-class sitcom honesty — loud, broke Lanford, Illinois, a household that refused sitcom polish, Goodman and Metcalf worth the tuition. Funny because it's specific,…
- John Goodman as Dan Conner
John Goodman’s Dan Conner made Roseanne working-class sitcom honesty — loud, broke Lanford, Illinois, Barr at the head of a household that refused sitcom polish. Goodman and Metcalf alone are worth the tuition. Funny because it’s…
- Laurie Metcalf as Jackie Harris
Laurie Metcalf's Jackie Harris made Roseanne worth the tuition on her own — working-class sitcom honesty, loud broke Lanford, a sister who refused sitcom polish. Funny because it's specific, not soft. Later reboot politics complicate the…
- Sara Gilbert as Darlene Conner
Sara Gilbert's Darlene Conner gave Roseanne its deadpan second generation — loud, broke Lanford, Illinois, a household that refused sitcom polish, Goodman and Metcalf worth the tuition, Barr at the head. Funny because it's specific, not…
- Lecy Goranson as Becky Conner
Lecy Goranson's Becky Conner kept Roseanne's Lanford household teenage and specific — working-class sitcom honesty, loud broke Illinois, a daughter who refused polish. Funny because it's particular, not soft. Later reboot politics…