In a stunning move, ABC has canceled the Roseanne revival after Roseanne Barr made another offensive comment on social media. In a now-deleted tweet, Barr called former Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett an ape and compared her to an Islamist organization before issuing an apology and announcing that she's leaving Twitter. However, the damage has been done and the show will not be returning for Season 11, after all. (It should be noted that Barr has a lengthy history of saying racist, homophobic and transphobic things.)
In the wake of the show's cancellation, many are taking to Twitter to speak out including director Ava DuVernay and actress Aisha Tyler.
For the record, this is Channing Dungey. Sitting on top of your world like a Queen in full judgement of your garbage and taking it out. #Roseanne pic.twitter.com/GxEP2B61uq
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) May 29, 2018So proud of @ABCNetwork for having the ethical compunction to cancel #Rosanne despite the show's huge numbers. We too make a show about a middle class family , come and watch us instead #speechless @Speechless_ABC
— Minnie Driver (@driverminnie) May 29, 2018Thank you, Channing. Thank you @ABCNetwork. ️️️ https://t.co/jvA7l71HJS
— Bellamy Young (@BellamyYoung) May 29, 2018Thank you, @ABCNetwork for doing the right thing and for showing people that bigotry and racism has consequences. Now, if you could only cancel our President for the same reason. #RoseanneBarred
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) May 29, 2018From 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.
See what happens when tweets and phone calls aren't suppressed like votes??? KEEP. THAT. SAME. ENERGY. #Roseanne https://t.co/l0BHEZVyck pic.twitter.com/pJjojXHD5k
— Brittany Packnett (@MsPackyetti) May 29, 2018I'm glad that @ABCNetwork took a stand. We as a country can and will be better. More welcoming, more inclusive. We reach so many people in the entertainment industry. We can be a voice for good.
We can, and will, become once again that beacon on a hill.
GOOD RIDDANCE. #Roseanne
— Alicia Lutes (@alicialutes) May 29, 2018pic.twitter.com/TGN9qvEUU2
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) May 29, 2018ABC does not deserve praise for their decision to cancel Roseanne.
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) May 29, 2018
Before ABC cut Roseanne loose, many were already denouncing Barr's comment including Wanda Sykes who announced she would not be returning next season. Sykes served as a writer and consulting producer before quitting the series. Others to speak out included her TV daughter, Sara Gilbert, and Will & Grace star Debra Messing.
THIS!!!!!!!! @DisneyStudios FIRED an African American sports commentator for a comment ( that wasn't even close to roseanne's). @therealroseanne should be fired if @DisneyStudios is going to have integrity. https://t.co/GF0x6GnAQu
— Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) May 29, 2018.@ABCNetwork your SILENCE on #Roseanne and her RACIST comments is DEAFENING.
— Wilson Cruz (@wcruz73) May 29, 2018@brianstelter that's funny. ABC execs figured out a way to control me. They blocked me from promoting anything on ABC because I called out Roseanne Barr & her dangerous tweets. @GMA https://t.co/Q0BbE4uhhg
— Tom Arnold (@TomArnold) May 29, 2018Hey @ABC, Roseanne Barr compared Valerie Jarrett to an ape. There is no apology she can make that justifies @ABC turning a blind eye to this bigotry by airing another second of her show.
Even in the Age of Trump, there are red lines that can never be crossed. This is one.
Other Links From TVGuide.com RoseanneRoseanne BarrSara Gilbert