ABC cancels 'Roseanne' after Barr's racist tweet



Barr was also dumped by her talent agency, ICM Partners.


And it was all killed in a 53-character tweet.






"I'm fine," she said. "I'm worried about the people out there who don't have a circle of friends and followers who come right to their defense."

Barr was quickly condemned. Comic Wanda Sykes, a "Roseanne" writer, tweeted that she wouldn't be returning to the show. Sara Gilbert, a co-star, also tweeted that the remark was abhorrent.

It was a quick decision at ABC for Dungey, who is the first African-American to serve as programming chief for one of the major broadcast networks, and her boss, network president Ben Sherwood. Disney chief executive Robert Iger tweeted his approval: "There was only one thing to do here, and that was the right thing."

Three weeks earlier, "Roseanne" was the toast of ABC's annual presentation of its programming plans to advertisers. Sherwood even joked then: "If anyone came to play a drinking game based on how many times we mention 'Roseanne,' you're welcome."


Hulu and the Laff comedy channel said Tuesday they were pulling re-runs of "Roseanne" from their schedules.


"Roseanne Barr's comments were appalling and reminiscent of horrific time in our history when racism was not only acceptable but promoted by Hollywood," said Derrick Johnson, NAACP president and CEO. "We applaud ABC for taking a stand against racism by canceling 'Roseanne.' We commend the network and ... Dungey for placing the values of diversity, inclusion and respect for humanity above ratings."

Barr got what she deserved, said Shonda Rhimes, creator of hit ABC shows like "Grey's Anatomy" and "Scandal."

"As I tell my 4-year-old, one makes a choice with one's actions," Rhimes tweeted. "Roseanne made a choice. A racist one. ABC made a choice. A human one."

ICM dropped Barr within hours of the cancellation, saying in a statement that the agency was "greatly distressed by the disgraceful and unacceptable" tweet. Bruce Helford, executive producer of "Roseanne," said he 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."