Roseanne
It Was Twenty Years Ago Today
TV Flash files “It Was Twenty Years Ago Today” as hour 117 of 231 in the TV Flash guide — Roseanne (1988–1997) on ABC, season 5, episode 20, aired 1993-03-09, 30 min.
From the desk
How this hour is filed
This leaf is S05E20: listed hour 117 of 231 in the Roseanne guide, hour 20 of 25 in season 5. It aired 1993-03-09 (30 min). The listed hour before it is “It's a Boy!” (S05E19). Next is “Playing with Matches” (S05E21).
Catalog log
Broadcast listing — not a TV Flash recap.
For their anniversary, Roseanne poses in a sexy photo for Dan, while he moonlights at a big-and-tall men's store to pay for his present for her.
Viewer FAQ
Where does It Was Twenty Years Ago Today sit in the Roseanne guide?
S05E20 is listed hour 117 of 231 — hour 20 of 25 in season 5, season 5 episode 20.
When did Roseanne S05E20 air?
It Was Twenty Years Ago Today aired 1993-03-09 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…