The show came back this year | Photo: IMDB/ABC
ABC’s revival of their family sitcom Roseanne is no more. After the show’s star Roseanne Barr made a racist tweet, and claimed it was a joke, the network canceled the show.
They first announced the revival of the series last year and made the decision to play fast and loose with the original show’s controversial finale.
This morning, Barr tweeted about Valerie Jarrett, a former senior advisor to President Barack Obama.
In the now-deleted-and-screencapped tweet, Barr wrote: ‘muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj’ in reference to Jarrett.
Barr’s deleted tweet | Photo: Twitter
Initially, she tried to defend her comment, calling it a ‘joke’.
Roseanne tweet | Photo: Twitter
She then said that Muslims can be any race, as Islam is a religion and not a race.
However, she did not address the ‘Planet of the Apes’ portion of her comment.
Roseanne tweet | Photo: Twitter
Backlash began long before ABC’s cancellation.
Gay comedian Wanda Sykes, who was a consulting producer on the series, announced she would not be returning to the show following Barr’s comments.
I will not be returning to @RoseanneOnABC.
— Wanda Sykes (@iamwandasykes) May 29, 2018
Before that, showrunner Whitney Cummings left the show.
Sara Gilbert also responded to Barr’s comments.
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
Damage done
Barr then apologized for her comments and announced she would be leaving Twitter.
I apologize. I am now leaving Twitter.
— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) May 29, 2018
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.
— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) May 29, 2018
It’s not the first time she’s come under fire for her controversial comments.
She has also long been vocal about her support for Donald Trump and dislike of Hillary Clinton. On Twitter, she often re-tweets various right-wing conspiracy theories.
For ABC, though, the damage was finally done with today’s tweets.
In a statement, network president Channing Dungey said: ‘Roseanne’s Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values, and we have decided to cancel her show.’
ABC has canceled #Roseanne. pic.twitter.com/UaEITxZ1Rw
— Kate Aurthur (@KateAurthur) May 29, 2018
