ABC has canceled the popular “Roseanne” reboot just hours after the star of the hit sitcom posted a racist tweet. On Tuesday, the network announced the cancellation of the revival following comments actress Roseanne Barr had made about former Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett.
“Roseanne’s Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values, and we have decided to cancel her show,” Channing Dungey, president of ABC Entertainment, said in a statement, per Variety. Barr’s tweet about Jarrett, which was sent Tuesday morning, read, “muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj.” She later deleted the tweet and apologized for her comments, adding that 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
Cast members weighed in on Barr’s tweet and reacted to the cancellation Tuesday afternoon. “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 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.” Additonally, Emma Kenney called Barr’s comments “inexcusable.”
Wanda Sykes, who served as a consulting producer for the reboot, announced that she was quitting shortly after the controversial tweet was sent. “I will not be returning to @RoseanneOnABC,” she announced. In March, ABC renewed the revival for a second season, which would have aired this fall. The sitcom revival starred Barr, John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, Gilbert, Michael Fishman, Alicia Goranson and Johnny Galecki.
I will not be returning to @RoseanneOnABC.
— Wanda Sykes (@iamwandasykes) May 29, 2018
See how social media reacted to ABC canceling the show below:
Social Media Reacts to “Roseanne” Reboot Being Canceled by ABC Following Roseanne Barr’s Racist Tweet
good riddance. bye roseanne. https://t.co/Zy8JTf6Iun
— deray (@deray) May 29, 2018
Roseanne Barr's comments were not a "bad joke" — her words and views about @ValerieJarrett are bigoted, racist, and unacceptable. Thank you to ABC for standing up for our nation's values: respect for all.
— Mike Capuano (@mikecapuano) May 29, 2018
Not sad for Roseanne. Sad for all the other talented people working on the show who had big career moments ripped away from them by her selfish actions.
— Ben White (@morningmoneyben) May 29, 2018
This is one of the MANY reasons that @ABCNetwork should not have given @therealroseanne a platform in the first place. pic.twitter.com/wCeUHHZwbZ
— Charisma O'Keefe (@CharismaOKeefe) May 29, 2018
I'm glad Roseanne is canceled.
The backlash to its cancellation is going to be a deafening nightmare.
Nothing good has come of this entire thing.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) May 29, 2018
Thanks @ABCNetwork Ya gave her a platform… and promptly let her bust it up all on her own. @therealroseanne No one made you spew that mess….No one to blame but yourself. #knowthegame #dontbeabigot #reapwhatyasow
— Christopher Jackson (@ChrisisSingin) May 29, 2018
KABOOM!!!
ABC Entertainment president has just announced that the company will CANCEL the Roseanne reboot!
Rationality wins again. Thanks for speaking out Twitter!
There is no place for Racism in America!
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) May 29, 2018
Wow.
I did Nazi that coming.
‘Roseanne’ Canceled at ABChttps://t.co/9c5zSxQyZ2
— Holly Figueroa O'Reilly BWCS (@AynRandPaulRyan) May 29, 2018
You don’t get a gold star for cancelling Roseanne. There never should have been a reboot to cancel.
— Molly (@isteintraum) May 29, 2018
Bye Bye Roseanne. Racism doesn’t pay. https://t.co/JoxhSve6PM
— RynheartTheReluctant (@TheRynheart) May 29, 2018
I strongly condemn Roseanne's racist and Islamophobic tweets attacking @ValerieJarrett. Roseanne has shown her true colors time and time again, and I commend ABC for doing the right thing. Racism is never funny. https://t.co/sVlIGhi0Pu
— Yvette D. Clarke (@RepYvetteClarke) May 29, 2018
Me learning that ABC cancelled @therealroseanne's show. pic.twitter.com/ZI3GbZEmlx
— Awesomely Luvvie (@Luvvie) May 29, 2018
What are your thoughts on ABC’s decision to cancel the “Roseanne” reboot? How did you react to Barr’s tweet? Sound off in the comments section below!
Photo credit: monterey media, Wikimedia Commons