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Roseanne Barr once again found herself embroiled in self-inflicted controversy this morning when she took to Twitter to compare Valerie Jarrett, the black senior adviser to former President Barack Obama, to an ape.
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Following swift backlash, Sara Gilbert, who plays the role of “Darlene” on the show, took to Twitter to express her dismay with the show’s lead actor and the overt racism that she has displayed.
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
While Gilbert’s remarks may be well-intended, Roseanne is not simply “one cast member,” but the eponymous star around which the entire show revolves. When Roseanne speaks, it is reflective of all those involved in the production– for better or for worse.
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Gilbert is not the only one involved to weigh in on the controversy. This morning, comedian Wanda Sykes, a writer with the official title “consulting producer,” announced on Twitter that she would be leaving the show.
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I will not be returning to @RoseanneOnABC.
— Wanda Sykes (@iamwandasykes) May 29, 2018
The surprise exit comes from someone who has had to defend the show’s controversial content in the past.
Per The Hill:
Veteran comedian Sykes was asked in February if “as the world has become more PC” whether the “line for what’s funny on [‘Roseanne’] moved” as well.
“The thing about the Conners is they were a Midwestern family who have limited means, and you don’t see that a lot on TV — except for black people. Black people are allowed to be poor on TV,” Sykes told The Hollywood Reporter with a laugh. “But when the Conners came on, it was like, “Here are real people talking about real problems.”
Roseanne’s slur came in response to an article in SGT Report, which tenuously claimed that “Obama’s CIA also spied on French presidential candidates.” While Jarrett is not specifically identified in the article, a Twitter user mentioned, “Jarrett helped hide a lot,” inciting Barr’s abhorrent comment.
Amid fierce criticism over the since-deleted tweet, Roseanne issued an apology that was met with lukewarm reception.
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 (@therealroseanne) May 29, 2018
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I apologize. I am now leaving Twitter.
— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) May 29, 2018
Disney, which owns ABC, the network that airs Roseanne, has yet to comment on her racist slur. Ironically, Disney quickly suspended SportsCenter host Jemele Hill for suggesting a boycott of the Dallas Cowboys after Cowboys owner Jerry Jones announced that players who failed to stand during the national anthem would be benched. Disney was also quick to cancel an episode of Black-ish featuring a debate about NFL players kneeling. And yet, the network is dragging its feet with Roseanne despite an ongoing barrage of controversial statements.
With numerous people involved beginning to speak out against the liability that is Roseanne Barr, the onus now lies with ABC to prove that it still has a shred of moral authority– or if the network is willing to throw away its entire reputation to pander to a dwindling base of Trump fans.
Follow Brian Tyler Cohen on Facebook and Twitter.
