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ABC Cancels Actress Roseanne Barr's Show After Her Racist Tweet

Bhana

30 May 2018 06:27 IST

New Update

ABC network has cancelled Roseanne Barr’s revived sitcom "Roseanne". The move came after her racist tweet attacking former US President Barack Obama's adviser Valerie Jarrett, that sparked fury all over.

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What Barr said on Twitter

Barr falsely alleged that Jarrett, who was born in Iran to American parents, has connections to the Muslim Brotherhood. She also compared Jarrett to an ape. Barr wrote: “Muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj,” using Jarrett’s initials. The actress and comedian deleted the tweet later.

Barr was replying to a post from a user that accused Jarrett, a long-serving adviser, of covering up the Obama administration’s alleged misdeeds. Later, she deleted the tweet, issuing an apology to Jarrett and all Americans.

"I am truly sorry for making a bad joke about her politics and her looks," Barr tweeted. "I should have known better. Forgive me - my joke was in bad taste."

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

Barr, one of Donald Trump’s most high-profile supporters, apologised for the post as outrage grew, and announced she’d be quitting Twitter.

Soon after, a Twitter user told Barr her tweet was offensive and racist, saying Jarrett is African American. Barr responded: “Muslims r NOT a race”. Shortly after, Barr repeated her stance in another post writing, “ISLAM is not a RACE, lefties. Islam includes EVERY RACE of people”.

ABC officially cancels her show

The show had ended its successful comeback season last week. Its return was scheduled for September. Robert A. Iger, the chief executive of the Walt Disney Company, ABC’s corporate parent, shared Dungey’s statement on his own Twitter account. He added: “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

My statement on the cancellation of #RoseanneBarr’s show, Roseanne. pic.twitter.com/xFkHN6Qmlz
— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) May 29, 2018

Earlier today, Barr also apologised to Valerie Jarrett on Twitter.

@ValerieJarrett I want to apologize to you. I am very sorry to have hurt you. I hope you can accept this sincere apology!
— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) May 30, 2018

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Social media awash with criticism

Shonda Rhimes, who had several shows on ABC, criticised Barr's mindset.

But honestly she got what she deserved. As I tell my 4 year old, one makes a choice with one’s actions. Roseanne made a choice. A racist one. ABC made a choice. A human one.
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) May 29, 2018

Comedian Wanda Sykes, a consulting producer on the revived "Roseanne", tweeted that she won't be returning to the show.

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

Sara Gilbert, who plays Darlene on the show, also an executive producer, tweeted she was deeply disappointed in her co-star.

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

It did not take long for ABC to take action. “The Middle” rerun replaced the repeat episode of "Roseanne" scheduled for Tuesday night. The network also began the process of taking each episode of “Roseanne” off its website. 'Hulu', partly owned by Disney, is also removing episodes of Barr's show from its service.

Picture Credit: The Wrap