The Heartfelt Goodbye: John Goodman’s Iconic Couch Moment in The Conners Finale

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After more than three decades, the Conner family bid their final farewell. Fans seemed to permanently wave goodbye to their cherished clan with the series finale of the Roseanne spinoff The Conners, which aired as part of the 2025 TV lineup. This sitcom is among many shows that ended in 2025, but few titles on that list undoubtedly carry as much history as this one does. The conclusion felt both sweet and sad as a chapter came to an end, and John Goodman now reenacts the iconic couch scene that concluded the series.

In the tradition of some final episodes, “The Conners” said goodbye with an episode titled “The Truck Stops Here.” This closing instalment featured a series of nostalgic scenes from the show and its earlier version, as the family members gradually exited the living room. Dan Conner, played by Goodman, was the last to depart, addressing the camera affectionately before he went. This heartfelt moment made this viewer feel like an integral member of the on-screen family. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Goodman shared that he came up with this idea and revealed its significance:

Initially, I proposed the action, and they granted me permission. They not only allowed it but also ensured it continued. In essence, we ended by exchanging our goodbyes, ‘Goodnight, everyone. Thank you.’

For the final moment of The Conners, I couldn’t imagine a more fitting scene. Given that fans have been loyal to this television series for so long, it seems fitting that one of the cast members would speak directly to them at the end. To me, Goodman’s brief farewell comes across as an acknowledgment of all the viewers who have followed the adventures of the Lanford family for years.

Furthermore, it could be contended that the farewell aligns well with the character of Roseanne as a series. Known for incorporating meta and self-aware aspects occasionally, Dan’s departure seems like a subtler continuation of this trend.

More on The Conners

In an attempt to bring back the character played by George Clooney from “Roseanne,” the Conners’ superiors considered it for their final season. However, it’s completely understandable why he declined the offer.

One fascinating aspect of the ending is discovering that John Goodman’s emotional “Goodnight” wasn’t originally scripted. As Bruce Helford, the showrunner, shared, this moment was unexpected and so heartfelt that they chose to keep it. Now, it’s challenging to envision the episode wrapping up any other way.

In May 2024, ABC officially announced that “The Conners” would conclude after its seventh season, which comprised just six episodes. This decision followed numerous rumors about the sitcom’s prolonged existence. Despite initial concerns, the series managed to last for several years and ended on a high note, despite the absence of Roseanne Barr, who played the lead in the parent show. Looking back, it’s remarkable how the writers and producers were able to wrap up all the storylines effectively with so few episodes.

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It’s hard to believe that Dan and the rest of the Conner family have reached their final chapter, but who knows, a new spinoff might still pop up in the future. Just as the revival of Roseanne, which was followed by The Conners after its cancellation in 2018, came as a surprise, another show could potentially emerge down the line. Regardless, I’m grateful that The Conners concluded with Dan addressing viewers directly.

All seven seasons of The Conners are now available to stream with a Hulu subscription.

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2025-07-15 13:38