Racist tweets bring an end to comedy's biggest comeback.
May 29, 2018
Just two months after picking up Roseanne for an 11th season, ABC has reversed the move. The cancellation comes after show star Roseanne Barr took to Twitter with a series of racist and anti-semitic posts. The most offending being a now-deleted tweet calling adviser to former President Barack Obama, Valerie Jarrett, an offspring of the “Muslim Brotherhood & Planet of the Apes.”
The backlash that followed was immediate and intense, with numerous celebrities and pundits speaking out against her remarks. Barr subsequently apologized, calling the tweet a joke, but it was too late. The damage had been done.
Comedian Wanda Sykes was the first person involved with the show to make a move, announcing her departure from writing on Season 2 this morning. But that was just the beginning, as mere hours later, ABC Entertainment chief Channing Dungey announced that the network was cancelling the show due to her "abhorrent, repugnant" words that were "inconsistent with our values."
The decision was obviously not made lightly, as Roseanne's comeback was the biggest success story ever for a revived series. The show's Season 10 premiere in March surpassed all expectations by drawing a massive audience of 18 million viewers with an impressive 5.2 rating in the adults 18-49 demographic. Those numbers are almost unheard of nowadays, especially for broadcast comedies.
But now instead of going on another likely-lengthy run, Roseanne's revival ends after just nine episodes, with the now-series finale airing one week ago.
Luke
05/29/18 at 04:20pm
Cancel Kimmel next ABC. He said racist remarks about the FLOTUS but he still has a job.
rodentman
05/29/18 at 04:15pm
"Roseanne" was unmitigated garbage as is "The View." Too bad people choose to watch this nonsense thus giving them ratings.
Mark
05/29/18 at 04:12pm
What is said on The View that is upsetting some people? I've never watched it. Give specific quotes.
Mack
05/29/18 at 04:10pm
Agreed, liberals have a major double standard in this country and they can’t see it.
chaz
05/29/18 at 04:06pm
I think it was a smart move, yet the remaining cast should be retained and spun off. Killing off the main character in some cases is a suicide to most shows, but a Dan and Darlene spin off would be a great combo. Darlene's family with grandpa and sis. honestly in my opinion, roseanne, metcalf, and the rest, unbelievable characters, bad acting, over acting. i didnt find the rest too interesting. Have Jackie and Bev move to florida, kill off roseanne, and make a new show.
101
05/29/18 at 04:02pm
good riddance
Plop
05/29/18 at 03:47pm
The Plopster is a republican/conservative lean for the most part, but even I can say she messed up big time. What she did was unacceptable and she damn sure should have known better. Was happy to see her show come back and feel bad for everyone else screwed over this (other cast member, crew, etc.). But f her.
Wendy
05/29/18 at 03:46pm
Roseanne has no one to blame but herself for her show getting canceled. There are going to be plenty of disappointed fans. Not to mention her remarks were completely out of line (and, no, I'm not a liberal). I think ABC did the right thing....now if they'd just do something about that loud mouth, Joy, and her "friends" on The View!
JP
05/29/18 at 03:33pm
Liberal comedians make vile comments (jokes) against White males, Republicans, and Christians and they get honored at award ceremonies. Conservative comedians make vile comments (jokes) and they get fired. Hmmm. I smell a double standard. When is ABC going to cancel The View?
Aethn
05/29/18 at 03:33pm
There is crossing the line and pole vaulting over it. Rosanne clearly grabbed the longest pole in the equipment shed and went for the gold. Real shame too, This was actually a show that gave both sides a common platform to address social issues. ABC made the right and only possible decision here.
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