ABC Cancels ‘Roseanne’ Following Star’s Tweet
Published on May 29th, 2018 | Updated on May 30th, 2018 | By FanFest
ABC President Channing Dungey announced that the hit comedy Roseanne would be canceled after the series star Roseanne Barr posted inappropriate remarks on Twitter.
On Tuesday morning, Barr tweeted racially charged comments directed at former Obama aide Valerie Jarrett which sparked controversy throughout the social media platform and Hollywood. She later deleted the controversial and offered an apology for her inappropriate comments by tweeting, “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 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
Shortly after, however, the controversy continued when Wanda Sykes who was a consulting producer for the revival series suddenly (and without providing reasoning) announced she would not be returning.
I will not be returning to @RoseanneOnABC.
— Wanda Sykes (@iamwandasykes) May 29, 2018
Just hours later, Dungey released a statement saying, “Roseanne’s Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values, and we have decided to cancel her show.” The statement was shared on Twitter by Robert Iger, Chairman and CEO of the Walt Disney Company.
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
The Roseanne revival broke ratings records and even earned an early renewal for a second season (or eleventh season depending on how you look at it) following its successful premiere. The series was already included on the network’s 2018-2019 fall line up returning to its 8 PM time slot on Tuesdays. There is no word yet from ABC on what will be filling that spot in the upcoming fall season.
A karaoke obsessed, craft beer enthusiast and lover of all things pop culture, Denise enjoys all facets of entertainment from Broadway to box office blockbusters. In her spare time, she enjoys photography, concerts (lots and lots of concerts), volunteering, reading and playing with her rescue kitten, Samantha (who rescued who, right?).
