Success on the television show Roseanne brought actor John Goodman fame, but also immense pressure. The show's high ratings meant expectations remained high. The increased recognition made going out difficult.
The work environment itself posed challenges. The sitcom's set often saw conflict, with its lead star frequently arguing with producers and dismissing writers. Brandon Stoddard, president of ABC Entertainment, noted the tension began early in the show's run.
The set environment included the presence of Tom Arnold. The stress contributed to John Goodman's struggles with alcohol. He drank heavily for decades, he told The Guardian, before entering rehab in 2007.
He had not yet sought treatment when the pressures of the show grew. Goodman told Today he felt complacent and ungrateful. He wanted to leave the program, handling the desire by drinking, which worsened the situation. He stated at his lowest point he did not want to be an actor anymore.
Roseanne Barr observed John Goodman's distress on set. She said he would become upset every Friday, describing instances where he would pound walls and scream out of frustration.
Six seasons into the show, Goodman decided he had had enough. He walked off the set during production and told producers he was quitting. He told The New Republic the show was ready to end after the sixth season, and he attempted to leave in the seventh.
Financial concerns kept him on the program in the 1990s. Goodman remembered being told his house could be taken if he left. He stayed.
Sobriety played a role in his return for the show's revival in the 2010s and later, The Conners. He maintained belief in the original concept of depicting a family's struggle. He told he told Entertainment Weekly in 2023 that many connected with the challenge of living paycheck to paycheck, addressed with humor.
Asked about working with Roseanne Barr again after her departure led to The Conners, Goodman expressed uncertainty. "I just don’t know. I miss her. I wish her well."
