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TV Media Research Analyst Johannesburg

ABC cancels Roseanne sitcom after racist tweet

30 May 2018

Newswatch: The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) has cancelled Roseanne Barr's sitcom Roseanne in consequence to her racist and Islamophobic "bad joke" whereby she said former Obama White House adviser Valerie Jarrett, who was born in Iran to American parents, was the child of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Planet of the Apes:

Muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj

The TV network said in a statement: "Roseanne's Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values, and we have decided to cancel her show."

In response to much negative criticism, Barr apologised and said she would leave Twitter:

“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. I am now leaving Twitter,” she said.

Just hours later, she returned:

“Don’t feel sorry for me, guys! I just want to apologize to the hundreds of people, and wonderful writers (all liberal) and talented actors who lost their jobs on my show due to my stupid tweet.”

Here's what others are saying:

The sad truth is #Roseanne is being held to a tougher standard than this “president.” Trump could tweet the exact same thing she did and his approval numbers among his supporters would likely climb and the GOP wouldn’t do a damn thing about it.
— Allen Clifton (@Allen_Clifton) May 30, 2018

Second rule of comedy: Never be a racist a**hole. You'll lose your show.#Roseanne pic.twitter.com/6oTU1766Sv
— Colleen Boykin (@ColleenBoykin1) May 29, 2018

Pitch: it's a #Roseanne reboot but the 'Roseanne' character is played by RuPaul, also all the other characters are played by RuPaul, also it's just called 'RuPaul'
— Emily Andras (@emtothea) May 29, 2018

It sure is sad, however, for the other cast members. I think they should sue #Roseanne for loss of income.
— Michele E. Gwynn (@MicheleEGwynn) May 29, 2018

So it’s “racist” to make this comparison if a conservative does it, but when the left does it they get a complete pass? I can’t be the only one who sees past this selective outrage and hypocrisy.... #RosanneBarr #Roseanne @therealroseanne pic.twitter.com/xMyJydoAz0
— Mindy Robinson (@iheartmindy) May 29, 2018