'Roseanne' Canceled by ABC After Series Star's Racially Charged Tweets

The “Roseanne” reboot is done.

Despite airing the last of its nine episodes ordered from its rebooted 10th season last week, and ordering an 11th season earlier this month to air in the fall, ABC has decided to cancel “Roseanne” after series star Roseanne Barr created a stir early this morning over tweets she posted in reference to former adviser to President Obama, Valerie Jarrett.

In her since-deleted tweet, Barr posted, “muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby = vj.” The tweet was in response to an article by @SGTreport, where the site reported on the latest Wikileaks drop revealing that the Obama administration’s CIA is said to have also spied on French presidential candidates. Barr later apologized for her comments after vowing to leave Twitter for good. “I apologize to Valerie Jarrett and to all Americans,” she said. “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.”

Barr’s comments immediately prompted head writer Wanda Sykes to announce she would not be returning to the show when it began production on what would have been its 11th season. “I will not be returning to @RoseanneOnABC,” said Sykes.

“Roseanne’s Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values, and we have decided to cancel her show,” said Channing Dungey, President, ABC Entertainment, in a statement following hours of backlash that erupted on social media in response to Barr’s comments. Dungey is the first African American, and the first African American woman to hold the seat as president of a broadcast network.

“There was only one thing to do here, and that was the right thing,” reiterated Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company, following Dungey’s statement.

“Roseanne’s recent comments about Valerie Jarrett, and so much more, are abhorrent and do not reflect the beliefs of our cast and crew or anyone associated with our show. I am disappointed in her actions to say the least,” said Sara Gilbert who plays Darlene on the show and is an executive producer. “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.” Gilbert’s comments came before the network announced its cancellation.

ABC has since deleted all “Roseanne” promotional material from both ABC.com and its press site, DisneyABCPress.com. The 10th season episodes remain available for viewing via Hulu and the Hulu app.

https://twitter.com/therealroseanne/status/1001470384556752898

https://twitter.com/therealroseanne/status/1001471669641216005

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

Roseanne’s recent comments about Valerie Jarrett, and so much more, are abhorrent and do not reflect the beliefs of our cast and crew or anyone associated with our show. I am disappointed in her actions to say the least.

— sara gilbert (@THEsaragilbert) May 29, 2018

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.

— sara gilbert (@THEsaragilbert) May 29, 2018