After seven seasons of laughter, tears, and heartfelt moments, the beloved sitcom The Conners is set to air its series finale on April 23, 2025, at 8 p.m. on ABC. The show, a spinoff of the iconic Roseanne, has captured the hearts of audiences since its inception, continuing the story of the Conner family following the untimely death of matriarch Roseanne.
As the series draws to a close, cast members reflect on what the show has meant to them and the impact it has had on viewers. Sara Gilbert, who has portrayed Darlene Conner since Roseanne premiered in 1988, expressed her sentiments in an interview with People. “I think we just have such a good time, and we laugh a lot. And the group, not just the cast, but the crew as well, the writers. It feels like family, and because we did it for so many years, it’s sort of deep in our soul. And so that is hard to imagine being without,” Gilbert said.
Gilbert also highlighted the show’s representation of the struggles faced by American families. “It’s showing an American family struggling to get by, and there’s not enough representations of that. And when there are, the sets look too fancy or the people look too fancy,” she noted. She emphasized the writers’ ability to tackle serious subjects with humor and love, allowing viewers to connect with the characters on a deeper level.
As the final season wraps up, other cast members share their hopes for future collaborations. Lecy Goranson, who plays Becky Conner, expressed optimism about reuniting with her colleagues. “I’m already thinking of the next thing for all of us, including the crew,” she told People. “I just refuse to believe that it’s done.” Laurie Metcalf, known for her role as Jackie Harris, echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the cast could break off into smaller projects while still supporting one another.
In a lighthearted moment, the executive producers of The Conners shared their regrets about certain missed opportunities during the show’s run. Bruce Helford lamented the passing of actor Martin Mull before they could bring back his character, Leon. “We would have liked Johnny [Galecki] to come back [as David after Season 2], but we respected that…” Helford remarked. “And we never got Clooney!” fellow executive producer Dave Caplan added, referring to George Clooney, who played Booker Brooks in the first season of Roseanne. Helford revealed that they had reached out to Clooney multiple times, but he declined, stating, “You know that I would, but if I do it for you guys, I gotta do it for everybody I’ve ever worked with who has a TV show because it would be wrong for me not to.”
Despite these regrets, the show has been a significant success, resonating with fans and critics alike. The Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score for The Conners stands at 47%, while its IMDb rating is 5.9/10.
As the series finale approaches, viewers can expect a heartfelt conclusion to the Conner family’s journey. The finale will not feature some familiar faces, as neither Michael Fishman (DJ) nor Estelle Parsons (Bev) will appear. However, Helford shared that they were fortunate to have Parsons back for 12 episodes since Roseanne’s 2018 return. “We do mention that she’s still out there in America, wandering around,” he said.
In addition to the emotional farewells on The Conners, April 23, 2025, will also be a significant day for sports fans. The first round of NBA Playoff games will feature Orlando at Boston (7 p.m.), Miami at Cleveland (7:30 p.m.), and Golden State at Houston (9:30 p.m.). Meanwhile, hockey enthusiasts can catch first-round Stanley Cup action with Montreal at Washington (7 p.m.), Dallas at Colorado (9:30 p.m.), and Edmonton at Los Angeles (10 p.m.).
Baseball fans won’t be left out either, as the MLB schedule includes Philadelphia at Mets (1 p.m.), San Diego at Detroit (1 p.m.), Dodgers at Cubs (7 p.m.), and Toronto at Houston (7:30 p.m.).
As the final curtain falls on The Conners, the show leaves behind a legacy of laughter and relatable storytelling that has touched the lives of many. The series finale is not just an end, but a celebration of the Conner family’s journey and the many memories created over the years.
In a final nod to the show’s rich history, the 100th anniversary of Harry Houdini’s visit to a Winchester house will be commemorated on the same night with a special episode of Ghost Adventures on Discovery at 10 p.m.
The Conners’ series finale airs on ABC and will be available for streaming on Hulu the following day. As fans prepare to bid farewell to the Conners, the show's impact will undoubtedly linger, reminding viewers of the importance of family, resilience, and laughter in the face of life’s challenges.
