RoseanneandThe ConnersstarMichael Fishman discusses the ending ofThe Connerswithout his character D.J. Fishman played the role of the youngest Conners child for 10 seasons ofRoseanne, before reprising his role in the spinoffThe Connors, which he left after its fourth season. Despite being one of the most prominentcharacters inThe Conners, and the original show, D.J. did not return for the series finale, and was not even mentioned, save for flashbacks of the show through the years.
In a video posted on hisInstagramaccount, Fishman took the opportunity todiscuss the finale ofThe Conners, D.J.’s absence from the show’s finale, and the impact bothRoseanneand its spinoff have had on his lifeand on audiences. He also praised former co-star Roseanne Barr before talking about how the show is comforting for audiences everywhere, and how honored he is to have been a part of it. Check out his quote and the video below:
“Thankful for the Gift of Grief, that it happened, that I got to share the experience, forever changed by it. To everyone who build our shows and all those who empowered it.”
What This Means For The Legacy Of The Conners & Roseanne
They Are Iconic Shows That Will Forever Resonate With Viewers
BothThe ConnersandRoseanneare iconic shows that have left an indelible mark on network television and will continue to be enjoyed by audiences for years to come.Fishman’s comment shows how much being part of these shows has meant to him, and he seems to understand the deep connection many viewers have with the world, and its characters.The Connersseries finalebookends a story that first began in 1988, and still captures audience interest and attention; it’s a show that is bound to stand the test of time.
Though D.J. was a core part of the Conners family, it felt like the character reached an expiration point on the show, where the writers weren’t too sure what to do with him.
WhileRoseanne’s death beforeThe Connerseven airedwas a big shock, many were also disappointed that D.J. did not appear in the finale, and Fishman will likely have been put out, too, being that he was reluctant to leave the show in the first place. This makes his video even more impressive, ashe has shown humility, compassion, and gratitude for his time on both shows, despite not having the chance to fully close out D.J.’s story.
Our Take On D.J.’s Absence From The Conners Finale
Though Jarring For Some Fans, It Felt Natural For The Story
Though D.J. was a core part of the Conners family, it felt like the character reached an expiration point on the show, where the writers weren’t too sure what to do with him. D.J. only had limited arcs over the course of the series, and by the time season 5 came around, the show felt limited in what it could do with his story. While it would have been nice for the character to have appeared in the finale, the ending ofThe Conners, and, really, the overallRoseannestory, felt organic enough that there was no narrative need to shoehorn him in.
