Introduction
In May 2018, the unthinkable happened. ABC canceled Roseanne just a few hours after star Roseanne Barr posted a controversial tweet about former Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett. The tweet was deemed racist, and the backlash was swift. But was the cancellation inevitable? Was there more to the story than just one ill-advised tweet? In this article, we’ll dive into the explosive feud between Roseanne Barr and ABC, and explore the question: was the 2018 cancellation of Roseanne a direct result of Barr’s actions, or were there other factors at play?
The Hype Around the 2018 Revival
When ABC announced the revival of Roseanne in 2018, fans were ecstatic. The original show had been a massive success, and the idea of bringing the Conner family back to TV seemed like a dream come true. The premiere of the reboot shattered ratings records, with over 18 million viewers tuning in. For a moment, it seemed like Roseanne was back in full force, and the future looked bright.
However, the revival also came with its own set of challenges. Roseanne Barr was now a much more polarizing figure than she had been in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. Her controversial political views and outspoken nature had made her a target for criticism, and many wondered if the revival would bring about more drama than ABC was willing to handle.
The Tweet Heard Around the World
On May 29, 2018, Roseanne Barr sent out a tweet that would change everything. In the tweet, Barr referred to Valerie Jarrett, a former advisor to President Obama, as the product of the “muslim brotherhood” and “Planet of the Apes.” The tweet was widely condemned as racist, and the backlash was immediate.
Within hours, ABC executives had made the difficult decision to cancel Roseanne. The move was swift and decisive, and many saw it as a direct response to the tweet. However, there were those who believed that Barr’s cancellation was inevitable, given the increasingly volatile political climate and her polarizing public persona.
The Fallout: What Happened Next?
After the cancellation, ABC quickly announced that they would continue the Conner family story with The Conners, a spin-off show that would carry on without Barr. While the show still featured many of the original cast members, the absence of Barr’s character was a glaring hole. Fans were left to wonder what could have been had Barr’s actions not led to the show’s downfall.
For Barr, the cancellation marked the end of her comeback. Despite attempts to apologize and explain her tweet, many in the public and in Hollywood felt that her actions were unforgivable. The scandal left a lasting stain on her career, and she struggled to regain the respect she had once earned.
Conclusion
Was the 2018 cancellation of Roseanne inevitable? In many ways, yes. Barr’s controversial tweet was the tipping point in a long history of public gaffes and controversies. However, it’s also clear that the show’s revival was always a risk, given the political climate and Barr’s larger-than-life persona. In the end, the cancellation was a reflection of the harsh realities of fame in the modern world—one mistake can undo years of hard work.
