As The Conners celebrated its milestone 100th episode, fans were once again transported to one of television’s most recognizable living rooms. The heart of the Conner household—a set that has graced screens since the original Roseanne—carries decades of history, personal touches, and even a few fascinating mistakes. Here’s a closer look at what makes this set a timeless piece of TV history.
1. The Perfect Imperfection: Picking the Right Wall Color
Paint might seem like a small detail, but for executive producers Dave Caplan and Bruce Helford, it was everything. “Do you remember the insanity of trying to get the paint color right?” Caplan asked. The walls needed to strike a delicate balance—“not too dingy but certainly not fresh.”
It took four painstaking attempts to land on the perfect shade of celadon green. “Just the little detail of having that paint color be right was everything,” Caplan reflects.
2. A Happy Little Mistake: The Handrail That Never Got Fixed
If you’ve ever noticed the staircase handrail seeming slightly off, you’re not imagining it. Production designer Jerry Dunn, who also worked on the original Roseanne pilot in 1988, confessed to a small drawing error when designing the set.
“The guy in the shop built it the way I drew it, and wouldn’t go back to fix it because it would’ve been a ‘change order,’” Dunn reveals. That “mistake” has now been immortalized on television for over 40 years.
3. Family Portraits: Real-Life Memories in Every Frame
The photos scattered around the living room aren’t just props; they tell a story of the Conner family—both fictional and real. Among the framed portraits are real-life snapshots of The Conners cast, including a personal photo of Lecy Goranson (Becky) and Sara Gilbert (Darlene) at Gilbert’s home.
Additionally, the set pays tribute to beloved actors who’ve passed, including Glenn Quinn (Mark, Becky’s late boyfriend) and Shelley Winters (the Conner kids’ great-grandmother).
4. The Couch That’s More Than Just a Couch
The floral couch is practically a character of its own, but did you know it’s not the original? The Roseanne couch was located in a museum, but using it came with a litany of restrictions: insurance requirements, guarded transport, and no eating or drinking allowed on set.
“We used to spill stuff and eat Cheetos on that couch,” Gilbert laughs. Instead, the team crafted a faithful replica that’s every bit as cozy and chaotic as the original.
5. The Afghan That Brings It All Together
Nothing says The Conners quite like the crocheted afghan draped over the couch. While it’s not one of the originals from Roseanne, the current version captures the same handmade charm.
Finding the afghan wasn’t easy—Dunn scoured swap meets with no luck. Eventually, a crew member stumbled upon a garbage bag full of afghans at a flea market, and the rest is history.
Who will take this iconic piece home when the series ends? “It’ll be a question of who looks away at what moment,” Caplan jokes, hinting at a tug-of-war over this nostalgic treasure.
A Set That Tells Stories
From the walls to the couch to the afghan, every element of The Conners’ living room holds a story of its own—stories that mirror the messy, heartwarming, and enduring essence of the Conner family.
As the series nears its conclusion, fans can’t help but wonder: What other secrets are hidden in the details of this legendary set? Keep watching to find out.
