ABC cancels 'Roseanne' following star's racist tweet
ABC Entertainment has announced the cancellation of the rebooted version of Roseanne, said to be America’s number one sitcom following comedian, tv producer and show star Roseanne Barr‘s joke on Twitter comparing a Barack Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett to an ape.
“Muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj,” Barr referring to Jarrett, tweeted on Tuesday morning.
Barr, in a series of tweets attacked Valerie Jarrett, Chelsea Clinton and George Soros.
ABC’s president Channing Dungey
said in a statement: “Roseanne’s Twitter statement is abhorrent,
repugnant and inconsistent with our values, and we have decided to
cancel her show.”
Dungey’s statement was quoted by Disney Chairman Robert Iger, who tweeted that “There was only one thing to do here, and that was the right thing.”
Barr’s management company ICM Partners also announced on Tuesday, in a statement to Variety,
that it would cut ties with Barr. “We are all greatly distressed by the
disgraceful and unacceptable tweet from Roseanne Barr this morning.
What she wrote is antithetical to our core values, both as individuals
and as an agency. Consequently, we have notified her that we will not
represent her. Effective immediately, Roseanne Barr is no longer a
client.”
Barr later apologised and said she was 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
She later posted a series of tweets, asking that her followers not defend her.
In an attempt to provide an explanation for her comments, Barr said she was under the influence of the sleeping drug Ambien.
hey guys, don't defend me, it's sweet of you 2 try, but...losing my show is 0 compared 2 being labelled a racist over one tweet-that I regret even more.— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) May 30, 2018
guys I did something unforgiveable so do not defend me. It was 2 in the morning and I was ambien tweeting-it was memorial day too-i went 2 far & do not want it defended-it was egregious Indefensible. I made a mistake I wish I hadn't but...don't defend it please. ty— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) May 30, 2018
I'm sorry 4 my tweet, AND I will also defend myself as well as talk to my followers. so, go away if u don't like it. I will handle my sadness the way I want to. I'm tired of being attacked & belittled more than other comedians who have said worse.— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) May 30, 2018
Barr also continued to share tweets from other Twitter users who
showed support for her. The users compared her comments with others made
by other comedians and media personalities like Keith Olbermann, Bill Maher and Joy Behar.
Jarrett
was due to speak on MSNBC’s “Everyday Racism” town hall before the
controversy. While there, she was asked to respond to the news which she
said: “I think we have to turn it into a teaching moment. I’m fine. I’m
worried about all the people out there who don’t have a circle of
friends and followers who come right to their defense.”
Watch below:
.@ValerieJarrett responds to Roseanne Barr's tweet, saying Disney’s chairman called her before announcing that ABC was canceling the show: "This should be a teaching moment.” #EverydayRacism pic.twitter.com/b0EvA8WAeY— MSNBC (@MSNBC) May 29, 2018
No comments
Your comments and Encouragement are welcome