Television May 29, 2018
ABC Cancels ‘Roseanne’ Over Comedian’s Offensive Tweet
Getty
ABC has pulled the plug on its #1 show after Roseanne Barr shared a tweet the network calls “abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values.”
The decision to cancel Season 2 of the “Roseanne” reboot came after the 65-year-old star posted a racially-charged message on Monday about President Obama's former advisor Valerie Jarrett.
Responding to another user's post about an Obama conspiracy theory, Barr wrote, “Muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj.”
After the tweet, the show's consulting producer Wanda Sykes announced she would not be returning for Season 2.
I will not be returning to @RoseanneOnABC.
@iamwandasykes
Roseanne later deleted the message. She posted an apology, writing, “I apologize to Valerie Jarrett and to all Americans. I am truly sorry for making a bad joke about her politics and her looks. I should have known better. Forgive me-my joke was in bad taste.”
I apologize to Valerie Jarrett and to all Americans. I am truly sorry for making a bad joke about her politics and her looks. I should have known better. Forgive me-my joke was in bad taste.
@therealroseanne
Sara Gilbert, who played Roseanne's daughter and was a producer on the show, told her Twitter followers, “Roseanne's recent comments about Valerie Jarrett, and so much more, are abhorrent and do not reflect the beliefs of our cast and crew or anyone associated with our show. I am disappointed in her actions to say the least.”
Roseanne's recent comments about Valerie Jarrett, and so much more, are abhorrent and do not reflect the beliefs of our cast and crew or anyone associated with our show. I am disappointed in her actions to say the least.
@THEsaragilbert
She added, “This is incredibly sad and difficult for all of us, as we've created a show that we believe in, are proud of, and that audiences love— one that is separate and apart from the opinions and words of one cast member.”
This is incredibly sad and difficult for all of us, as we've created a show that we believe in, are proud of, and that audiences love— one that is separate and apart from the opinions and words of one cast member.
@THEsaragilbert
Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger explained the cancellation in a tweet, writing, "There was only one thing to do here, and that was the right thing."
From Channing Dungey, President of ABC Entertainment: "Roseanne's Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values, and we have decided to cancel her show."
@RobertIger
There was only one thing to do here, and that was the right thing.
"Roseanne" was never afraid to tackle politics, which often had the characters at odds.
Laurie Metcalfe, known as Aunt Jackie, recently told "Extra's" AJ Calloway they didn't talk politics offscreen. "I've not been tempted to open that door," she said.
Meanwhile, Roseanne has been very political about her conservative leanings, and President Donald Trump is a vocal fan.
Barr spoke to AJ about Trump earlier this month at the ABC upfronts, saying, "We have a lot of things in common and he is pretty funny. A lot of his fans are my fans, too, and a lot of Hillary's fans are my fans, so it is a good time to bring it all together." When AJ asked if she would ever bring both on the show, she replied, "I'm going to try and get everybody next season. Everybody."
