May 29, 2018

ABC cancels 'Roseanne' after star goes on racist Twitter rampage

Chelsea Clinton and Valerie Jarrett were among the targets of Barr's bizarre and hateful posts

By Emily Rolen
PhillyVoice Staff

Following a bizarre and pretty disgusting tweet storm from comedian and actress Roseanne Barr, ABC has canceled "Roseanne" after just one season.

"Roseanne's Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant, and inconsistent with our values, and we have decided to cancel her show," the company's president Channing Dungey said in a statement Tuesday afternoon.

Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company Robert Iger also tweeted a response to the news.

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 began her social media rant Tuesday morning with her usual commentary on conspiracy theories, which isn't exactly new content for her. In the past, she has been lauded by Trump supporters and right-wing conservatives.

But she quickly crossed the line, making Islamaphobic and racially-insensitive comments about Valerie Jarrett, a former adviser to President Obama and former first daughter Chelsea Clinton.

Barr tweeted possibly her most egregious statement yet about Jarrett, which she later called a joke. Using Jarrett's initials here, Barr tweeted: "muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj"

Barr later released apologies on Twitter.

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

I apologize. I am now leaving Twitter.
— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) May 29, 2018

She also tweeted about Clinton, saying "Chelsea Soros Clinton," in reference to George Soros, who Barr and other right-wing conspiracists claim was a Nazi collaborator during World War II. The theory has been debunked multiple times.

Chelsea Soros Clinton
— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) May 29, 2018

Clinton responded and corrected Barr.

Good morning Roseanne - my given middle name is Victoria. I imagine George Soros’s nephews are lovely people. I’m just not married to one. I am grateful for the important work @OpenSociety does in the world. Have a great day! https://t.co/mXokiTEwN7
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) May 29, 2018

Pre-production for Season 2 of "Roseanne" already had started, and was slated to air on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Wanda Sykes — who splits her time between L.A. and Delaware County — is a consulting producer on the show and announced pretty much immediately she would not be returning to the project.

I will not be returning to @RoseanneOnABC.
— Wanda Sykes (@iamwandasykes) May 29, 2018

Sara Gilbert, who plays Barr's daughter, said she is "disappointed" in Barr and that the cancelation is "incredibly sad and difficult."

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

Journalists are predicting President Trump will come to Barr's rescue at a rally tonight in Nashville, Tennessee.