The Conners: Why Lecy Goranson Didn’t Appear in Live Season 4 Premiere
One of The Conners was conspicuously missing from Wednesday’s live Season 4 premiere — and now we know why.
While Becky was in attendance at a “sober retreat,” portrayer Lecy Goranson was in attendance at a charity gala. In a new interview, the actress shares that she was allowed to miss the live show to return home to her native Chicago to participate in the Canal Shores Invitational, an annual gala for first responders hosted by fellow sitcom vet Joel Murray (Dharma & Greg).
“Unfortunately, the event didn’t happen last year because of COVID, and it just so happened that this year, it fell during the live show,” Goranson tells TVLine. “I was very, very torn, because I love the show, and it’s my job — and I did miss my Conners family very much. But I was very, very happy to be present at the charity event. This was my third year going, and it’s just a wonderful thing to be a part of. It’s important for me to connect with those who are putting their lives on the line for people every single day, and to show my support is something that’s a priority for me.”
Goranson will resurface in the Wednesday, Sept. 29 episode, when Seinfeld vet Jason Alexander makes his debut as the unconventional Pastor Phil, a speaker at Becky’s Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.
“Becky sees him as a truth talker, not someone who’s dancing around things,” Goranson previews. “He’s really gritty, to the point where [there’s no] filigree to what he says.” Becky is so impressed, in fact, that she introduces the pastor to Darlene, who is currently in need of some spiritual guidance following her break-up with Ben. “She says to Darlene, ‘Look, this guy is the real deal. He’s not pretending to be someone he’s not… You wouldn’t believe that he’s actually a pastor.’ And it turns out that Darlene gets what Becky is saying,” Goranson reveals. “She gets a kick out of him, and they have their own special bond.”
Becky, meanwhile, is fully enrolled in school this year as she attempts to get her life back on track. And as she reengages in academia, the single mom rediscovers a part of herself that has long been dormant. “It brings back her old self that’s kind of nerdy, and used to be a straight-A student,” Goranson teases. The “dichotomy” between who Becky was, and who Becky had become, she says, “is really interesting.”
Thanks, TVLine. This is great news. She’s my favorite part of the show and the upcoming storylines sound fantastic. I’m looking forward to Goranson’s return and Jason Alexander’s appearances.
I enjoy The Connors and I like the evolution that Becky is going through and I love the actress!
I missed seeing Becky/Lecy in the live show but I love the reason why we didn’t see her! Love that she attended the charity gala and kudos to the show for allowing her to attend something that means so much to her.
On an unrelated note, the actor who plays Mark sure shot up over the summer break!
I love The Conners and the season opener did not disappoint! I feel bad Laty Segal’s othef show was cancelled last year but I’m happy she’s back on Roseanne and love that she wants a big wedding. I like how they broke the 4th wall. The show doesn’t take itself too seriously and it works.
Also glad Becky/Lecy will be back – I wondered if she left the show when she wasnt on!
That’s very admirable. And I like that Becky is back in school. That always bothered me that she didn’t fulfill her dreams.
Glad to hear there’s no troubling reason behind her absence and she’s not easing out of the show again. No offense to Sarah Chalke, who has grown tremendously as an actress since her Roseanne days, but Lecy IS Becky. She was always terribly underrated on the original series, and she’s the best part about the revival.
LOL they couldn’t have booked Sarah Chalke to play her in the live episode and literally do jokes about substituting live because of it?
That would have absolutely killed. But fantastic on them for being that accommodating for a great cause.
Honestly, there were so many things happening in that episode, she probably would’ve only had a couple of punchlines in a couple of scenes and that was it. It’s pretty admirable that she was able to spend some time celebrating such a great cause.
There were rumors that Sarah Chalke would appear as “Becky” on the live premiere show……😝
Thank Goodness! Lacy is the best Becky ever!! And frankly, totally cracks me up!
sorry Lecy, I spelled you name wrong. You are the coolest!
I hope they keep the seasons coming .
That’s awesome that she does stuff like this. I’m really excited for this season after hearing all that. I really hope they have Ben start to work on himself also. If him and Darlene both grow up some and learn how to communicate as a couple then it could really make for good tv. I can’t wait to see a nerdier Becky. It’s been 30 years! And more DJ please.
Actually, everything all great and everyone getting along perfectly, doesn’t make for good TV, it makes boring TV.