The return of Roseanne has been controversial from the beginning, with the creator and star Roseanne Barr styling the Conner family as Trump supporters, like herself and many working-class families in America. However, the show has been abruptly cancelled and any reruns halted by the ABC network due to a racist tweet posted by Roseanne Barr about Valerie Jarrett, a former senior advisor in the Obama administration.
Channing Dungey, President of ABC Entertainment, said: “Roseanne’s Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values and we have decided to cancel her show.” Disney CEO Bob Iger added, “There was only one thing to do here, and that was the right thing.”
Commenting on the tweet Jarrett said: “I’m fine” and stated the situation was a “teaching moment.” She continued: “I’m worried about all the people out there who don’t have a circle of friends and followers who come right to their defence. The person who’s walking down the street minding their own business and they see someone cling to their purse, or walk across the street. Or every black parent I know who has a boy, who has to sit down and have a conversation, ‘the talk,’ as we call it. Those ordinary examples of racism that happen every day.”
Wanda Sykes tweeted that she would not be returning to the show, in turn, Emma Kenney who plays Roseanne’s grandaughter tweeted: As I called my manager to quit working on Roseanne, I was told it was cancelled. I feel so empowered by @iamwandasykes , Channing Dungey and anyone at ABC standing up for morals and abuse of power. Bullies will NEVER win.
Sara Gilbert, who plays/played Darlene on the show tweeted: “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.” Trouble is, of course, that one cast member is Roseanne…
Barr left Twitter, then joined again to tweet: “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.”
