ABC Cancels “Roseanne” After She Tweets a Little Racism

ABC has canceled “Roseanne” after the star’s Monday morning racist tweet about Valerie Jarrett, a former adviser to president Barack Obama.

ABC entertainment president Channing Dungey responded to Barr’s tweet on Tuesday, saying in a statement to TheWrap that “Roseanne’s Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values, and we have decided to cancel her show.”

What did Barr actually say?

Responding to a Twitter thread about Jarrett, Barr said “muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj.”

Barr realized soon after posting the tweet– maybe someone she knew called hear and advised she might be damaging her relationship to show producers– and apologized  before  ABC’s statement came out.  She said that her statement suggesting that Valerie Jarrett is a product of the Muslim Brotherhood and the “Planet of the Apes” was a “joke” and “in bad taste.”  She then formally apologized.

“I apologize to Valerie Jarrett and to all Americans. I am truly sorry for making a bad joke about her politics and her looks,” Barr said. “I should have known better. Forgive me– my joke was in bad taste.”

It was.  Roseanne’s tweet caused immediate backlash on Twitter.  Consulting producer Wanda Sykes said she nwas not going to return to the sitcom. Executive producer and co-star Sara Gilbert said that Barr’s comments are “abhorrent and do not reflect the beliefs of our cast and crew or anyone associated with our show.”  She lamented the cancelation of the show, saying:

“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,” she said.