Roseanne Cancelled by ABC

ABC has cancelled  the hit reboot Roseanne after the star Roseanne Barr made a comment on twitter this morning about Valerie Jarrett who was a former Obama aide saying that she looked like the offspring of the Muslim Brotherhood and Planet of the Apes. Roseanne deleted her tweet and followed up with an apology that said “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. I am now leaving Twitter.”

ABC’s Entertainment president Channing Dungey said the following statement “Roseanne’s Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values, and we have decided to cancel her show”.  It has also been reported that Wanda Sykes, who worked on the show’s first season as a consulting producer announced that she will not be returning for the show’s next season. Sara Gilbert, series co-star and executive producer also spoke out against Roseanne’s comments saying “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. 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.”

 

I have been a fan of the original series for many years and like many other fans I was very excited when I heard Roseanne was coming back with new episodes and I really enjoyed the first season and I was looking forward to the second season. I was not happy with Roseanne’s statements she went too far and should not have said that.  What we need right now is more love and acceptance not hate and insults.  I feel bad for the rest of the cast and crew who have worked so hard to put this show together. I really hope that Roseanne learns from this mistake and thinks before she posts. I’m not sure what ABC will put in Roseanne’s place given that the show is done and was a huge hit for the network. Please remember to be kind to each other especially when using social media.