ABC canceled Roseanne on Tuesday after star Roseanne Barr posted a racist tweet about Valerie Jarrett, a black former aide to President Barack Obama.
"Muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj," Barr tweeted Tuesday morning. Shortly after intense Twitter backlash, Barr issued an apology to Jarrett, saying her "joke was in bad taste."
"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 apologizes to Valerie Jarrett after a bizarre rant Tuesday morning, and then announces she's "now lea… https://t.co/tD4ikrmhA0— CNN (@CNN)1527608023.0
ABC announced its decision early Tuesday afternoon, with a statement ABC Entertainment President Channing Dungey.
"Roseanne's Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values, and we have decided to cancel her show."
ABC Entertainment cancels Roseanne Barr's show, calling her comment on Twitter "abhorrent, repugnant and inconsiste… https://t.co/bEfeLKvKxu— ABC News (@ABC News)1527616997.0
Robert Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, which owns ABC, said the network did "the right thing" in its decision to cancel Roseanne.
"There was only one thing to do here, and that was the right thing."
From Channing Dungey, President of ABC Entertainment: "Roseanne's Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant and inc… https://t.co/OByRwtuUT6— Robert Iger (@Robert Iger)1527616899.0
Social media has been ablaze in the wake of ABC's decision, which has sparked a new national dialogue about the consequences of making racist statements.
Barr's costar, Sara Gilbert, called Barr's comments "abhorrent," and said she was "disappointed in her actions to say the least."
"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."
Roseanne’s recent comments about Valerie Jarrett, and so much more, are abhorrent and do not reflect the beliefs of… https://t.co/YEN1D0PyRX— sara gilbert (@sara gilbert)1527614472.0
Tom Arnold, Barr's ex-husband, also weighed in.
Ton of respect for Bob Iger. Tough decision with financial consequences for his company but right for America....um… https://t.co/TiEp2eOOoq— Tom Arnold (@Tom Arnold)1527618654.0
Former Republican Congressman and MSNBC host Joe Scarborough slammed Barr on Twitter, saying, "there is no apology she can make that justifies ABC turning a blind eye to this bigotry by airing another second of her show."
Hey @ABC, Roseanne Barr compared Valerie Jarrett to an ape. There is no apology she can make that justifies @ABC tu… https://t.co/WBrrltO6A0— Joe Scarborough (@Joe Scarborough)1527606251.0
"Thank you Channing Dungey," tweeted How to Get Away with Murder star Viola Davis.
Thank you Channing Dungey! https://t.co/VIlKTF9y7Z— Viola Davis (@Viola Davis)1527618602.0
Grey's Anatomy's Shonda Rhimes expressed sympathy for the now unemployed cast and crew.
"She got what she deserved," Rhimes added.
But honestly she got what she deserved. As I tell my 4 year old, one makes a choice with one’s actions. Roseanne… https://t.co/os90iHKQn9— shonda rhimes (@shonda rhimes)1527618892.0
Other celebrities shared their thoughts too.
So proud of @ABCNetwork for having the ethical compunction to cancel #Rosanne despite the show’s huge numbers. We t… https://t.co/WLJD2AmM1I— Minnie Driver (@Minnie Driver)1527617556.0
I just heard #rosanne is cancelled. My reaction— tears. I am so relieved and grateful. The hate that has been spewi… https://t.co/B1hN5BcB0r— Debra Messing (@Debra Messing)1527618329.0
@therealroseanne, you break my heart -- You are a sorry excuse for a human being. How odd that you, as a comedienne… https://t.co/exf3XzjIHc— Rita Moreno (@Rita Moreno)1527615060.0
Not my cup of tea, but Roseanne had a great thing going with her show. All she had to do was not say something co… https://t.co/PjFrwFg8XP— andy lassner (@andy lassner)1527619150.0