Roseanne, 1988-1997

Another reality based sitcom of the '90s was Roseanne. Roseanne revolved around the daily commotion of Roseanne's television family. Known for brash stand-up comedy, Roseanne brought the same manner to the sitcom.

Roseanne played the mother of the Conner family, a typical, working class family. Dan (John Goodman) was a loving father and husband, often befuddled by the bedlam of life. The kids, DJ (Michael Fishman), Darlene (Sara Gilbert) and Becky (Alicia Goranson), kept life lively and challenging.

Roseanne didn't paint a picture of the perfect family life; instead the Conner family faced hard issues head on. Roseanne was often brassy, but common sense and love always won out over moral platitudes.

Roseanne also continues to run in syndication.

Personally, I'd like to see a politician try to play the role of a father or mother in a middle class family, trying to make ends meet. Perhaps the plot would be an eye opening experience for a silver-spooned showman or woman.