Roseanne
The Truth Be Told
TV Flash files “The Truth Be Told” as hour 219 of 231 in the TV Flash guide — Roseanne (1988–1997) on ABC, season 9, episode 21, aired 1997-03-18, 30 min.
From the desk
How this hour is filed
This leaf is S09E21: listed hour 219 of 231 in the Roseanne guide, hour 21 of 24 in season 9. It aired 1997-03-18 (30 min). The listed hour before it is “Roseanne-Feld” (S09E20). Next is “Arsenic and Old Mom” (S09E22).
Catalog log
Broadcast listing — not a TV Flash recap.
Roseanne learns some truths about the price of fame when two high-powered television programmers bombard her with all sorts of bizarre ideas about how network and cable TV would tell her life story. Roseanne is appalled to learn that one wants to sanitize her life and the other wants to spice it up. At the same time, Bev is happily telling stories about Roseanne to a friendly florist, unaware that he is actually a tabloid reporter.
Viewer FAQ
Where does The Truth Be Told sit in the Roseanne guide?
S09E21 is listed hour 219 of 231 — hour 21 of 24 in season 9, season 9 episode 21.
When did Roseanne S09E21 air?
The Truth Be Told aired 1997-03-18 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…