Shortly afterWanda Sykesannounced she would no longer be a part of ABC’s hitRoseannerevival followingRoseanne Barr’s racist tweet, the network has canceled the show.
“Roseanne’s Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values, and we have decided to cancel her show,” president of ABC Entertainment Channing Dungey announced in a statement Tuesday.
Thebacklash has been fierceafter Barr, who has been outspoken in her support ofPresident Donald Trump, tweeted a since-deleted attack on formerBarack Obamaadvisor Valerie Jarrett, who is black, during a racist Twitter rant overnight Monday.
Barr also attacked Chelsea Clinton, tweeting a since-deleted lie that “she’s married to soros nephew,” referring to billionaire George Soros.
Sara Gilbertpublicly denounced her costar, and several other celebrities called on the ABC to cancel the show.
“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,” she added.
Debra Messingalso spoke out against Barr, applauding Sykes for her decision to leave the show.
“Thank you @iamwandasykes,” she tweeted. “[Barr] is a fascist. What she said about @ValerieJarrett is unconscionable.”
“It spell checked — I meant RACIST,” she clarified in a second tweet. “But fascist can stand.”
Rosie O’Donnell, who is close friends with Barr but disagrees vehemently with her politics, also condemned the actress' tweet.
“Her racist comment was childish and beneath her best self,” she tweeted.
“Roseanne Barrcompared Valerie Jarrett to an ape,” he wrote. “Even in the Age of Trump, there are red lines that can never be crossed. This is one.”
“@ABC and @Disney do the right thing,” he followed up after the cancellation. “There are still boundaries in the Age of Trump that cannot be crossed. Thank you for putting values above money. "
After news broke of the cancellation, Pfeiffer tweeted: “Good for @ABCNetwork for doing the right thing here.”
Several others condemned Barr, including Patricia Arquette and Rita Moreno.
On Tuesday, Barr apologized and announced she was “leaving Twitter.”
“I apologize to Valerie Jarrett and to all Americans,” she wrote. “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.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations applauded ABC’s decision.
source: people.com
