On Tuesday, Roseanne Barr tweeted a racist "joke" about Valerie Jarrett, a former Obama administration advisor. Valerie is an African-American woman who was born in Iran, and Roseanne wrote, "muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj." (Yikes.) Roseanne deleted her tweet and apologized, but the backlash was severe - so severe that ABC cancelled the Roseanne revival, one of their most successful sitcoms last season.
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Roseanne fans were bummed, because they loved seeing the characters tackle today's partisan politics and culture wars. Meanwhile, Roseanne critics celebrated, because they hated the choice to make Roseanne and Dan Conner Trump supporters (like the real Roseanne). But no matter where you stand, the revival was an hit, so the cancellation is surprising. ABC's decision shows that everyone United States has the right to free speech, but that doesn't mean freedom from the consequences of that speech.
Roseanne's racist tweet dominated the news cycle, getting reactions from celebrities, cast members, political pundits, and even Valerie Jarrett herself. Here are the responses:
Head writer Wanda Sykes quit the show before it was cancelled When it comes to racist comments, Frozen's Josh Gad says we shouldn't "Let It Go" Co-star Sara Gilbert condemned the tweet... ...and is sad about the situation. Maybe they could reboot the show without Roseanne, and call it Darlene? Shonda Rhimes created several hit shows for ABC, including Grey's Anatomy and Scandal. She points out one person's tweet put a lot of people out of work. Debra Messing, who stars in the Will & Grace revival, weighs in Kumail Nanjiani is already 'The Big Sick' of the cancellation backlash. (See what I did there? Hire me, Silicon Valley head writer!) Co-star Emma Kenney was calling to quit, when she noticed the show was cancelled A word from MSNBC anchor Joe Scarsborough... ...and a word from ex-FOX anchor Bill O'Reilly. And they agree?! An original Roseanne writer calls her tweet 'nauseating' Roseanne's ex-Tom Arnold, agrees with ABC's 'tough decision' On the other side, right-wing rocker Ted Nugent thinks Roseanne was just referencing a movie title Alt-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones thinks Roseanne is a victim of the 'THOUGHT POLICE' This Roseanne supporter tries to draw a comparison between her racist "joke" and the NFL players kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality And finally, Valerie Jarrett, the victim of Roseanne's racist tweet, reacts on video:"I think we have to turn it into a teaching moment. I'm fine. I'm worried about all the people out there who don't have a circle of friends and followers who come right to their defense. The person walking down the street minding their own business and they see somebody clinging to their purse or want to cross the street or every black parent I know who has to sit down and have a conversation — the talk, as we call it — those ordinary examples of racism that happen every day."
The great thing about Twitter is that you can express every thought that pops in your head, but that doesn't always mean you should. (At least, if you want to keep your TV show.)