The Cast of “Roseanne” Reacts to the Show’s Axing
On Tuesday, ABC canceled the reboot of Roseanne, which had been picked up for a second season, after star Roseanne Barr tweeted a racist message about former White House adviser Valerie Jarrett.
"Roseanne's Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant, and inconsistent with our values, and we have decided to cancel her show," ABC said in its statement. Now, the cast and crew of the show, which broke ratings records, is speaking out about the network’s decision to end the show.
Michael Fishman, who played Roseanne's son D.J., tweeted he was "devastated" by the show getting canceled, but still condemned Barr's remarks. "Our cast, crew, writers, and production staff strived for inclusiveness, with numerous storylines designed to reflect inclusiveness," he wrote. "The words of one person do not exemplify the thinking of all involved."
- Michael Fishman (@ReelMFishman) May 29, 2018
Emma Kenney, who played Roseanne’s granddaughter Harris, said she was “hurt, embarrassed, and disappointed” by Barr’s tweet. She also said she was about to quit the show before she learned it was canceled, in a now-deleted tweet.
I am hurt, embarrassed, and disappointed. The racist and distasteful comments from Roseanne are inexcusable.
- Emma Kenney (@EmmaRoseKenney) May 29, 2018
Sara Gilbert, who played Roseanne’s daughter Darlene, tweeted before the show’s cancelation that Barr’s comments were “abhorrent.” She also distanced herself from Barr, saying the show is “separate and apart from the opinions and words of one cast member.”
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
Whitney Cummings, who was one of the top writers on the show’s first season, tweeted a message of support to Gilbert:
I love you Sara. https://t.co/77tHCzb29H
- Whitney Cummings (@WhitneyCummings) May 29, 2018
Wanda Sykes, who was a consulting producer on the show, had announced she would not be returning for Season 2 because of Barr's tweet.
I will not be returning to @RoseanneOnABC.
- Wanda Sykes (@iamwandasykes) May 29, 2018
The news comes after the show received incredibly high ratings for its return to television after 20 years off the air. The first episode had 18.2 million viewers, which made it the highest-rated comedy episode on any broadcast network in nearly four years.
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