Roseanne goes after TV family for denouncing her racist remarks, blames pro-Trump view on firing
Roseanne Barr returned to Twitter on Tuesday just a few hours after announcing she was quitting the social media platform, and quickly took aim at two of her costars.
Michael Fishman, who started working with Barr when he was just six, was the first to feel the wrath of the show's creator after he released a statement criticizing her racist tweet about Valerie Jarrett.
'I condemn these statements vehemently,' wrote Fishman, who is the father of a black daughter in the reboot.
'They are reprehensible and intolerable, contradicting my beliefs and outlook on life and society. I have always lived and taught my children to be inclusive. I believe our show strived to embrace different backgrounds and opinions, through open dialogue.'
Barr was none too happy with that statement however and fired back on Twitter, writing: 'I created the platform for that inclusivity and you know it. ME. You throw me under the bus. nice!'
Reps for ABC did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Family Drama: Roseanne Barr returned to Twitter Tuesday evening hours after she announced that she was quitting the social media platform
Mother and son: She first went after Michael Fishman, who has a black daughter on the show and said Barr's racist tweet about Valerie Jarrett was 'reprehensible and intolerable'
'I am disappointed in her actions to say the least,' wrote Gilbert, prompting Barr to say: 'Wow! unreal'
Fishman was not the only original cast member to take a stand, with Sara Gilbert also releasing a statement that very much echoed the one released shortly after by ABC.
'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,' wrote Gilbert, who was a producer on the reboot and largely responsible for reuniting the cast.
'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.'
'Wow! unreal,' wrote Barr, who had confessed in earlier interviews to the difficult job Gilbert had of trying to rein in her impulse to tweet offensive comments.
Gilbert was then forgiven soon after by Roseanne, who tweeted: 'no, I understand her position and why she said what she said. i forgive her. It just shocked me a bit, but I indeed f***ed up.'
She reiterated this soon after when a follower criticized Gilbert, saying: 'She's distancing herself from me and my tweet-she has to.'
There was no response to any of the other cast members who tweeted, including Emma Kenney, who said she was preparing to quit the show when she learned of the cancellation.
'I am hurt, embarrassed, and disappointed. The racist and distasteful comments from Roseanne are inexcusable,' said Kenney.
'As I called my manager to quit working on Roseanne, I was told it was cancelled. I feel so empowered by @IAmWandaSykes, Channing Dungey and anyone at ABC standing up for morals and abuse of power. Bullies will NEVER win.'
Barr did not go after Kenney, who is just 18 and back at work on the set of Shameless, or Wanda Sykes.
It was Sykes whose tweet may have been the final nail in Barr's coffin over ta ABC, when the consulting producer wrote Tuesday morning: 'I will not be returning to @RoseanneOnABC
During this all, Barr also retweeted a number of offensive posts in hopes of showing that it was her politics that ultimately led to her termination.
Barr has made no secret of her affinity for President Trump, and he even called her the day after the show premiered to record ratings back in March.