The Conners uses its platform to bring real life situations to light, as Sara Gilbert & Ames McNamara discuss in this interview.
Something that is truly special about The Conners is that this show takes real life situations, and sheds light on them in a way that most people can understand. It does such a great job of taking things that real families and people are going through — like addiction, sexual identity, and money issues — and using their platform to help everyone “get” it.
The same goes for the latest episode of The Conners where they tackle virtual learning and the fact that those with less money and resources just do not have the same opportunities as those that have more money. When sitting down with Sara Gilbert, who plays Darlene and is also an Executive Producer on the show, as well as Ames McNamara, who plays Darlene’s son Mark, we discussed these things, which are very important to the both of them.
No major spoilers here, but in this episode Darlene does a really good job of trying to blow up the myth of meritocracy during her school confrontation, and in general, The Conners’ addresses this idea often. Sara and Ames both told us how important that is to address on the show.
“I think it’s important to show because the only way we can change things is to first have some awareness around it and see the problem, be in touch with the problem, and then hopefully be able to take some action. It is really unfortunate. Something that I love about our show that we get to address the fact that this is obviously a fictional group that represents a lot of people who are very kind, smart, intelligent, funny, good people that cannot break the cycle of poverty, and cannot break through the levels of how unfair things can be in this country.” – Sara Gilbert
“It’s not like these inequalities did not exist before, but [the pandemic has]widened the gap, in a way, and also brought more attention to it, which I think is a good thing.” – Ames McNamara
SARA GILBERT, AMES MCNAMARA
Using The Platform For Good
I absolutely love that The Conners uses their platform to address many different inequalities that are unfortunately, real life situations and issues. To be so bold, is so important, and so I asked Sara about this.
“If you have such a large platform, it’s so important to use your voice and talk about what’s going on in the world. I don’t think we directly go after every topic. It’s more when you’re talking about what’s affecting the family, you naturally are going to be dealing with what’s happening in our society, especially if you’re dealing with a family that is lower-middle class, and struggling to get by. A lot of the day-to-day issues are going to affect them.” – Sara Gilbert
Virtual Learning Struggles
Every parent and child in the country, even the world, has been dealing with the struggles of virtual learning this past year. Sara and Ames are no different.
“There were definitely times [with my kids, when they are like]my computer’s not working right, or my charger’s not working right. Then missing school. Particularly for my youngest, he checked out a decent amount because being six years old, sitting on a screen all day, it’s exactly the opposite of what we try to do for our kids. We use it when we’re in a pinch, but we don’t like them sitting on screens all day. So it’s definitely been a struggle, but I’m happy to see things slowly returning back towards what we think of as normal, for that and obviously a multitude of even more serious reasons.” – Sara Gilbert
“I’ve definitely experienced a lot of virtual school. It’s inescapable the problems with virtual school. t’s really not the same as in person school, but it’s the best that we can do right now. I was able to relate to everything that Mark is going through because it’s stuff that’s happening to me and so many kids across the country right now – and across the world. This technology is amazing, and it’s so amazing that we’re all in this Zoom call from all different places right now. But it’s not perfect and there are some glitches. I feel personally lucky to have had amazing teachers who have helped me through my virtual school experience and really made it still engaging, which can be a problem sometimes. Zoom fatigue is a very real thing.” – Ames McNamara
Ames also let us know that French is the hardest subject to learn virtually for him. Just something about it makes it more difficult than his other subject. Sara did joke with us that Ames loves to learn, and what a difference it is from her days on the set of Rosanne. She would try to find almost anything else to do besides go to her teacher, and Ames is always excited to get to school. Fun fact, Ames has the same on set teacher that Sara had when she was a child actor!
AMES MCNAMARA, SARA GILBERT
About The Conners
“The Conners” follows America’s favorite family as they continue to face the daily struggles of life in Lanford. Dan, Jackie, Darlene, Becky and D.J. will continue to grapple with parenthood, dating, financial pressures and aging in working-class America. Through it all – the fights, the coupon cutting, the hand-me-downs, the breakdowns – with love, humor and perseverance, the family prevails.
In “Cheating, Revelations and A Box of Doll Heads” (airing Wednesday, April 21 at 9/8c on ABC), Mark is stressed and exhausted from studying for an important entrance exam so Darlene steps in to help, but her plan backfires. Both Sara and Ames have dealt with these issues firsthand in their personal lives as well, and can appreciate how the show is depicting life’s new reality
“THE CONNERS” airs WEDNESDAYS at 9|8c on ABC. Episodes can also be viewed
the next day on demand and on Hulu.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.