The story behind Roseanne's grandson who dresses like a girl (barf alert)

Entertainment Weekly ^ | 1/5/2018 | Lynette Rice

[simpson96]

In one of the more enlightened updates to Roseanne, Darlene’s son Mark (Ames McNamara) likes to dress up in girl’s clothing. But it would be wrong to assume the 9-year-old character is transitioning or is gay. We asked executive producer Sara Gilbert (Darlene) to explain why she created the role of Mark and what fans can expect of his story arc when the reunion begins its nine-episode run March 27 on ABC.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Does Mark see himself as a girl?

SARA GILBERT: He doesn’t. That’s something that got out in the press that’s not true. He’s not a transgender character. He’s a little boy. He’s based on a few kids in my life that are boys who dress in more traditionally feminine clothing. He’s too young to be gay and he doesn’t identify as transgender, but he just likes wearing that kind of clothing and that’s where he is at this point in his life.

How much do you address his desire to wear girl’s clothing?

There is an episode that addresses it. He dresses that way throughout the show, but there’s one episode that focuses on it more heavily. We did a lot of research because we wanted to make sure and do it properly. This character is not transgender.

What made you want to create this character?

It represents the world. This is a show that’s always been able to represent the world and talk about it without being so issue-heavy. We can do it through the dynamics of the family. I know kids like that and it seemed like a great character. One kid in particular that I know is so sweet, funny, charming, and great. In a way the character— that’s one element of the character that he dresses that way, but he’s also based

[who_would_fardels_bear]

There was a narrative building up that Roseanne was separating herself somewhat from the rest of the celebutards.

She was not trashing Trump and standing up for the "little guy".

So maybe Hollywood is hoping that the Deplorables might tune in and get teached a lesson about metrosexual accessorizing.

Big fail.

[Trillian]

In one of the more enlightened updates to Roseanne, Darlene’s son Mark (Ames McNamara) likes to dress up in girl’s clothing.

It's because she is a homosexual. This is what homosexuals do to groom children. It's an abusive cycle that needs to be broken.

[Trillian]

Psychiatrists have described Stokes as an angry psychopath who claimed to have been molested as a child.

Very typical of these types.

[windcliff]

Wow. Just finished reading the story. Thanks for the link.

[pinkandgreenmom]

I just read that story. How scary and sad.

[Calvin Locke]

The lesbians in the movies never look like that.

Hollywood is promoting a fantasy view of lesbians to appeal to the voyeuristic instinct of males.

What do you think goes over better? The performers they use, or would Ms. Gilbert and her significant other draw more eyeballs?

[Fightin Whitey]

The lesbians in the movies never look like that

Thank goodness these two at least have clothes on lol.

[shelterguy]

My next door neighbor was a lesbian, about 55 years old. Every year she would have a big party in her backyard. WOOF WOOF WOOF.

[rockrr]

People often complain about how dangerous society is these days. I don’t disagree with them, partly because there seem to be so many hazards and pitfalls these days, but I do silently recount some of the many challenges that befell me in my youth and wonder at times how I survived.

There were so many of my contemporaries who didn’t...

[Mariner]

I wonder if John Goodman or Roseanne Barr knew this story line before they signed up?

Especially Goodman.

[minnesota_bound]

Sara Gilbert is the next Harvey Weinstein.

[Mariner]

Bisexual and lesbian women come in all types/categories.

I can testify on this matter. I have been personally acquainted with several very, very attractive women who were either gay or bi.

And, of course, there are the dykes on bikes type as well.

I would guess these women reflect the attractiveness spectrum of women generally. But I have no data other than personal experience.

[dfwgator]

Chef: [gloomy] Hello there, children.

Cartman: Hey, Chef.

Kyle Broflovski: How did your date with miss Ellen go?

Chef: Not too good.

Stan Marsh: What happened? Didn’t you make sweet lovin’ to her?

Chef: No, no, no, she’s not like that. You see, uh, how do I put this. Children, Miss Ellen doesn’t exactly play for right team.

[children look puzzled]

Chef: I-I-I-In other words, children, she not a member of the *heterosexual persuasion*.

[the children still don’t have a clue]

Chef: Don’t you understand? She’s a lesbian!

Stan Marsh: A whatbian?

Kyle Broflovski: A prebian?

Chef: You boys don’t know what a lesbian is?

Stan Marsh: [to Kenny] Kenny?

[Kenny shrugs]

Stan Marsh: No, explain it to us, Chef.

Chef: That-That’s okey, eh b... look, all you need to know is, Miss Ellen is a lesbian, and that means she only likes other lesbians.

Stan Marsh: Oh.

Chef: Now move along, children, you’re holding up the line.

[they walk on]

Kyle Broflovski: Weak, dude! She only likes other lesbians?

Stan Marsh: Hey man, if she only likes other lesbians, then all we gotta do is become lesbians too!

Kyle Broflovski: Hey, yeah!

Cartman: You guys, you know what? My grandma was Dutch-Irish, and my grandpa was lesbian, that makes me quarter lesbian!

Stan Marsh: What the hell are you doing, Cartman?

Cartman: My Mom said if you want to become a lesbian, you have to lick carpet.

Kyle Broflovski: Really?

Stan Marsh: Well, I got a Indigo Girls CD, the guy at the record store said it was perfect

[puts the CD in the player]

Stan Marsh: .

Kyle Broflovski: I got these killer Birkenstocks.

[the boys all start licking the carpet while the Indigo Girls are playing]

Stan Marsh: This is a bunch a’ crap! I’ve been licking this carpet for three hours and I still don’t feel like a lesbian!

[Secret Agent Man]

Because they are usually vegetarians or vegans.

[Yaelle]

I’m glad I’m not a lesbian

[patriot08]

[Conserv]

Gilbert has this amazing knack of finding girlfriends who are even uglier than she is.

[Yaelle]

OMG
I read that whole thing. I hope this monster is locked up or dead. Were you a victim? No need to respond. This article made me not like our justice system. We have serious loopholes that endanger us all.

[rockrr]

I wasn’t, and do not personally know anyone who was. To me he was just a kid in the neighborhood (albeit a creepy one that turned out to be a monster).

I wasn’t aware of what he was up to but my instincts gave me pause to give him a wide berth (thanks Mom and Dad!).

[Yaelle]

Glad you weren’t. I wonder what happened to him and how early to make him immune to love. Since he was adopted, he must have had RAD. A very bad case.

There is even evidence that newborns can experience it. The inability to trust or love. It seems to be permanent in some of these cases. This dad tried to love his son. It just didn’t connect.