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ABC cancels ‘Roseanne’ after Roseanne Barr’s racist tweet

The sitcom reboot won’t return for a second season

Published

8 years ago

on

Roseanne, gay news, Washington Blade

Cast of ‘Roseanne’ (Photo courtesy ABC)

ABC has canceled “Roseanne” in response to Roseanne Barr’s racist tweet on Tuesday, according to the Hollywood Reporter. 

“Roseanne’s Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values, and we have decided to cancel her show,” ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey said in a statement on Tuesday.

Barr, who has frequently tweeted pro-Trump conspiracy theories, responded to a fake news story that former President Barack Obama’s CIA spied on French presidential candidates. In a now-deleted tweet, Barr wrote “muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj” in reference to former White House aide Valerie Jarrett who is African American and was born in Iran to American parents. Jarrett was not mentioned in the story Barr shared.

Some people took to Twitter to call for the show’s termination because of Barr’s comment.

Following the tweet, Wanda Sykes, who served as the series’ consulting producer, resigned from the show.

Barr announced she would be leaving Twitter and apologized for the comment.

“I apologize. I am now leaving Twitter,” Barr wrote. “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.”

Sara Gilbert responded to Barr’s tweet saying that the star’s comment does not reflect the views of the rest of the show’s cast and crew.

“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,” Gilbert wrote. “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.”

“Roseanne” was a ratings hit for the network and had been renewed for a second season.

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Madonna announces release date for new album

‘Confessions II’ marks return to the dance floor

Published

5 hours ago

on

April 15, 2026

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Pop icon Madonna on Wednesday announced that her 15th studio album will be released on July 3.

Titled “Confessions II,” the new album is a sequel to 2005’s “Confessions on a Dance Floor,” an Abba and disco-infused hit. 

The new album reunites Madonna with producer Stuart Price, who also helmed the original “Confessions” album. It’s her first album of new material since 2019’s “Madame X.”

“We must dance, celebrate, and pray with our bodies,” Madonna said in a press release. “These are things that we’ve been doing for thousands of years — they really are spiritual practices. After all, the dance floor is a ritualistic space. It’s a place where you connect — with your wounds, with your fragility. To rave is an art. It’s about pushing your limits and connecting to a community of like-minded people,” continued the statement. “Sound, light, and vibration reshape our perceptions. Pulling us into a trance-like state. The repetition of the bass, we don’t just hear it but we feel it. Altering our consciousness and dissolving ego and time.”

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PHOTOS: Denali at Pitchers

‘Drag Race’ alum performs at Thirst Trap

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1 day ago

on

April 14, 2026

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Denali performs at the Thirst Trap Thursday drag show at Pitchers DC on April 9. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Denali (@denalifoxx) of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” performed at Pitchers DC on April 9 for the Thirst Trap Thursday drag show. Other performers included Cake Pop!, Brooke N Hymen, Stacy Monique-Max and Silver Ware Sidora.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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Arts & Entertainment

In an act of artistic defiance, Baltimore Center Stage stays focused on DEI

‘Maybe it’s a triple-down’

Published

2 days ago

on

April 13, 2026

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Last year, Baltimore Center Stage refused to give up its DEI focus in the face of losing federal funding. They've tripled down. (Photo by Ulysses Muñoz of the Baltimore Banner)

By LESLIE GRAY STREETER | I’m always tickled when people complain about artists “going political.” The inherent nature of art, of creation and free expression, is political. This becomes obvious when entire governments try to threaten it out of existence, like in 2025, when the brand-new presidential administration demanded organizations halt so-called diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming or risk federal funding.

Baltimore Center Stage’s response? A resounding and hearty “Nah.” A year later, they’re still doubling down on diversity.

“Maybe it’s a triple-down,” said Ken-Matt Martin, the theater’s producing director, chuckling.

The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.

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