TELEVISION ROSEANNE ON REBOOT

return of Roseanne is about a lot more than just nostalgia for the ’ 90s. The hit family sitcom, which originally ran for nine season from 1988 to 1997, has been cleverly revived for the Trump era.

As a member of Gen X who grew up in the States, that harmonica brings back instant memories of my childhood.

The Conners were the working class family you could relate to, rather than aspire to. They had an ugly couch, the kids wore hand- me- downs and they sometimes struggled to put food on the table. Twenty years on, there’s plenty for new viewers and those old enough to have watched the original series to laugh about.

After losing her job, Darlene has moved back into home with her two kids. Her parents, Roseanne ( Roseanne Barr) and Dan ( John Goodman), are now counting, and swapping, pills and grappling with their grandson Mark’s gender fluid outfits.

Struggling to make ends meet as a waitress, Becky ( Lecy Goranson) lies about her age to become a surrogate.

Roseanne is a Trump supporter while her sister Jackie is a pink beanie wearing leftie. All of the one- liners are there, but there’s a deeper story of three generations trying to navigate rapidly changing times.

When the new series premiered earlier this year in the US, it was the highestrating comedy in almost four years. Like most American shows, Roseanne probably won’t rate as well here in Australia, but it’s certainly worth your time.