ABC cancels Roseanne after Roseanne Barr's racist tweet

Deadline

"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 following the furor over Barr comparing former Obama aide Valerie Jarrett to an ape in a tweet this morning. Barr apologized soon after and vowed to quit Twitter. This is the first time ABC has taken action in response to Barr's controversial tweets. ABC's cancelation came less than two hours after consulting producer Wanda Sykes quit the show. This isn't the first time Barr has compared a black Obama administration official to an ape. In 2013, she tweeted that Susan Rice "is a man with big swinging ape balls." A half hour before ABC announced its cancelation, Sara Gilbert reacted to her TV mom's racist tweet: "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. 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."

ALSO:

• Disney CEO Bob Iger praised the cancelation: "There was only one thing to do here, and that was the right thing"
• Emma Kenney was planning to quit the show after Roseanne's tweet: "I am hurt, embarrassed, and disappointed. The racist and distasteful comments from Roseanne are inexcusable... As I called my manager to quit working on Roseanne, I found out the show got cancelled. I feel so empowered by @iamwandasykes , Channing Dungey and those at ABC standing up against abuse of power and lack of values. Bullies do not win. Ever."
• Shonda Rhimes tweeted praise for ABC's decision: "Thank you, Channing...The terrible part is all of the talented innocent people who worked on that show now suffer because of this. #notjustice...But honestly she got what she deserved. As I tell my 4 year old, one makes a choice with one’s actions. Roseanne made a choice. A racist one. ABC made a choice. A human one."
• Showrunner Bruce Helford responds to cancelation: "On behalf of all the writers and producers, we worked incredibly hard to create an amazing show. I was personally horrified and saddened by the comments and in no way do they reflect the values of the people who worked so hard to make this the iconic show that it is."
• Roseanne Barr dropped by her agency: "We are all greatly distressed by the disgraceful and unacceptable tweet from Roseanne Barr this morning"
• Black-ish creator Kenya Barris says "Bye-bye!!!" on Instagram
• Rita Moreno calls Roseanne "a sorry excuse for a human being...Your meanness is staggering and will earn you a ticket to a sad, lonely and sorry life"
• Valerie Jarett was already scheduled to appear on MSNBC tonight as part of a "Everyday Racism in America" special