Roseanne Barr was fired from The Conners in May 2018 after she posted a racially charged and factually false tweet about former Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett. The show's production company suspended her, and within days ABC canceled the revived series, effectively ending her role. This verified explainer outlines the incident, the immediate professional consequences, and the resulting production and casting changes that reshaped the series.
Background and the Controversial Tweet
In May 2018, Roseanne Barr, star and co-creator of the revived sitcom The Conners, posted a tweet that drew widespread condemnation. The tweet falsely suggested that Valerie Jarrett, a former senior advisor in the Obama administration, was a product of the Muslim Brotherhood and the "child of the sexual revolution." The comparison invoked longstanding racist and Islamophobic tropes, and companies began pulling advertising from the show shortly afterward.
Immediate Suspension
Within hours of the tweet, The Conners' production company, Blackie and Blondie Productions, suspended Barr. The statement cited her tweet as incompatible with the show's values and that further production on the series was on hold. ABC also paused work on the planned second season, leaving the show's immediate future in limbo.
Cancellation and Production Aftermath
On May 29, 2018, ABC officially canceled The Conners, citing the tweet and ongoing controversy as decisive factors. The network noted that Barr's conduct made it impossible to continue under the existing production arrangements. Following the cancellation, producers explored whether the show could continue without Barr, which led to the series returning in 2019 with a revised premise that did not include her character.
Contract and Financial Terms
Specific financial details of Barr's termination were not disclosed publicly in full, but reports indicated she was released from her contract without pursuing a buyout or settlement that would keep her character on the show. The focus shifted to recasting and rewriting the narrative around the Conner family in subsequent seasons.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Incident Date | May 2018 | Official announcements and news reports |
| Trigger | Roseanne Barr's racially charged tweet about Valerie Jarrett | Public social media post and network response |
| Immediate Action | Suspension by production company; show paused | Company statement and press coverage |
| Final Outcome | ABC canceled The Conners; series returned without Barr | Network press release and renewal announcements |
Industry and Public Response
Advertisers, including AT&T and Kellogg's, publicly announced they were pulling ads from the show amid the controversy. Advocacy groups and industry figures condemned the tweet and expressed concern about the show's platform. The situation sparked broader discussions about accountability for creators in television and the balance between artistic control and brand safety.
Comparisons to Other Talent Controversies
Barr's firing was widely compared to other high-profile talent removals in entertainment, though the specifics of her case were shaped by the direct, public nature of her social media activity and the swift corporate response. The Conners' production team faced the challenge of continuing a series explicitly built around the Conner family without its central, original star.
Production and Cast Changes
After the cancellation, ABC and producers reconceived the show as a family-centered drama-comedy focused on the Conner children and their own lives. The new series introduced a revised premise that explained Roseanne's absence and allowed the remaining cast to continue. The changes underscored how tightly the revival had been tied to Barr's participation and how difficult it was to replicate that formula post-controversy.
Long-Term Series Trajectory
The Conners continued beyond 2018 with a revised cast and structure, but the initial controversy remained a defining moment in the show's history. For Roseanne Barr, the firing ended her regular television presence and marked a sharp decline in her public profile, while also prompting broader industry conversations about the repercussions of on-air conduct in the social media age.
Key Takeaways
- Roseanne Barr was fired from The Conners in May 2018 following a racially charged tweet.
- The tweet led to immediate suspension of production and eventual cancellation of the series by ABC.
- The show returned without Barr, with a revised premise that explained her absence.
- Financial and contractual specifics were not fully disclosed, but the arrangement did not include a buyout for her character.
- The incident is widely cited as a case study in social media accountability and brand risk in television.
FAQ
Reader questions
Why was Roseanne fired from The Conners?
She was fired after posting a false, racially charged tweet about Valerie Jarrett that prompted mass advertiser pullouts and led ABC and the production company to cancel the series.
When was The Conners cancelled after her firing?
ABC canceled The Conners in late May 2018, shortly after Barr's suspension and the widespread backlash to her tweet.
Did Roseanne ever return to The Conners in any capacity?
No. The series continued without her, with later seasons focusing on the Conner children and reframing the family dynamic in her absence.
Was Roseanne paid after she was fired?
Reports indicate she was released from her contract without a buyout or settlement that would keep her character on the show, though exact financial terms were not publicly detailed.