ABC Cancels ‘Roseanne’ Reboot After Star’s Racist Tweet
“Roseanne’s Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values.”
ABC has abruptly cancelled its Roseanne reboot, after star Roseanne Barr sent a racist tweet on Tuesday.
“Roseanne’s Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values, and we have decided to cancel her show,” ABC said in an official statement.
Disney CEO Bob Iger also tweeted, “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."
There was only one thing to do here, and that was the right thing.— Robert Iger (@RobertIger) May 29, 2018
Barr wrote of African-American former Obama administration adviser Valerie Jarrett, “Muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj.”
Roseanne Barr, 2018: I apologize for comparing Valerie Jarrett, a black woman, to an ape. I should have known better. Forgive me—my joke was in bad taste
Roseanne Barr, 2013: I apologize for comparing Susan Rice, a black woman, to an ape. I should have known be pic.twitter.com/P10YtYH9Sc
— Jeff Yang 🫶 FOLLOW ME @ORIGINALSPIN ON THREADS/IG (@originalspin) May 29, 2018
She at first defended her comment, tweeting “It’s a joke” and “Muslims r NOT a race.” Then, she apologized, writing, “I apologize. I am now leaving Twitter.”
Barr followed that up with an official apology.
https://twitter.com/therealroseanne/status/1001470384556752898https://twitter.com/therealroseanne/status/1001471669641216005
“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.”
After Barr’s comments, comedian and consulting producer Wanda Sykes tweeted that she was leaving the show.
I will not be returning to @RoseanneOnABC.
— Wanda Sykes (@iamwandasykes) May 29, 2018
Actress Sara Gilbert, who plays Barr’s daughter, also expressed her disappointment.
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.
— sara gilbert (@THEsaragilbert) May 29, 2018
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.
— sara gilbert (@THEsaragilbert) May 29, 2018
The Roseanne reboot debuted to 18 million live viewers and critical acclaim upon its debut, but its star dragged it into controversy with incendiary tweets.
One tweet accused a Parkland school shooting survivor of giving a Nazi salute, and another promoted a conspiracy theory that accused major Democratic leaders of having a role in a child sex trafficking ring.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLWq6L7hs3w
ABC had previously renewed Roseanne for an 11th season.
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