Barr Syndrome

Christon bemoans “Roseanne’s” lack of “powerful confrontation,” and of “clear problems and dilemmas,” as well as its failure to represent “America’s true working class.”

He then adds insult to stupidity by comparing the show in these regards to “The Honeymooners”!

Part of “Roseanne’s” appeal is its refreshing break from sitcom tradition of problem-commercial-tension-commercial-resolution. Few of us encounter confrontations, problems and dilemmas with the predictable regularity of the Cramdens, and if the trumped-up hokey dilemmas of Ralph and Alice are a “True slice of life,” then my working-class friends and I are surely missing out.

No, “Roseanne” isn’t “Masterpiece Theater.” What it is, is an entertaining show that is thankfully free of the de rigueur artificial plot of most sitcoms.

I suppose it does fall short of Christon’s requirements of “powerful confrontations,” “hard conjugal fights,” and depictions of “a plausible and affecting life.” I’m not sure what kind of sitcom Christon envisions--sort of a “The Joads Meet the Cleavers,” I guess.

Until then, I imagine a great many of us will continue to watch “Roseanne,” even if it is based on “a desperate hunger,” as Christon so cutely put it. And he can do us all a favor and watch something else.

KATHY LESLIE

Thousand Oaks