Did The Conners' Finale Just Write Johnny Galecki's David Off for Good? EPs Discuss Fate of Beloved Character

Warning: The following contains spoilers about the Season 5 finale of ABC’s The Conners.

False alarm, Conners fans. Though Wednesday’s season ender saw Darlene and David’s college-bound son Mark work through his feelings about his father, the episode did not culminate in an appearance by legacy cast member Johnny Galecki — though not for lack of trying.

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Instead, the Roseanne spinoff cemented David’s revival status as an absentee parent, revealing that he hasn’t bothered with Mark or Harris in four years. In the end, Mark decided that the only father he wanted at his high school graduation was his stepfather, Ben.

Below, executive producers Bruce Helford and Dave Caplan — who spoke to TVLine on Monday, ahead of the writers’ strike — defend their decision to cast Galecki’s alter ego in a negative light after an extended period without a David sighting.

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