Laurie Metcalf loves her 'weirdo B storyline' on 'The Conners'
Laurie Metcalf smiles and laughs when she thinks of her character Jackie and her assorted misadventures on the Roseanne spinoff, The Conners. Dating back to her introduction in Roseanne Barrs 1988s sitcom, Jackie has reinvented herself many times over. Shes been a cop, a truck driver, a factory worker, co-owner of The Lanford Lunch Box (which was reopened on The Conners), and was for a time, as the character describes it, Lanfords leading life coach.
The role earned Metcalf three Emmy Awards while Roseanne was on the air, but shes content with Jackie being a supporting role. A little bit of Jackie goes a long way, so Im always the weirdo B storyline. Too much of Jackie would be just overdose. While the characters overall persona has remained unchanged through both series, its provided a chance to grow as an actor.
Im assuming that one of my strengths was to be this victimized loser who didnt have a clue thats what she was to begin with, she said laughing. But (Jackie) just went out every day with her head up and determined to to do something great or make something. And then it would all come collapsing down around her. But, she had definite, firm opinions about things. And she still to this day meddles in the rest of the familys business, even though her own life is collapsing around her.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment-and-culture/2021/3/29/22357145/laurie-metcalf-loves-weirdo-b-storyline-the-conners-television