{"id":40362,"date":"2026-08-12T07:54:54","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T02:54:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=40362"},"modified":"2026-08-12T07:54:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T02:54:54","slug":"roseanne-star-defends-sitcom-axing-over-comedians-tweets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=40362","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Roseanne&#8217; star defends sitcom&#8217; axing over comedian&#8217;s tweets"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F2%2F2026%2F08%2F137130872.jpg?quality%3D90%26strip%3Dall\" \/><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Former child star Michael Fishman became emotional while laying out his thoughts on the \u201cRoseanne\u201d reboot\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2018\/05\/29\/abc-cancels-roseanne-after-racist-tweets\/\">cancellation back in 2018<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Fishman \u2014 who played the title character\u2019s son, DJ Conner, on the beloved sitcom \u2014 shared a social media comment regarding the years-old controversy, which saw Roseanne Barr <a href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2018\/08\/08\/abc-canceled-roseanne-after-multiple-instances-with-barr\/\">fired from her own revival series<\/a> after a string of controversial tweets.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe reboot got canceled because Roseanne made the usual jokes a comedian makes but America decided to backstab Roseanne,\u201d the comment read atop <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reels\/Db3VQAmBgUT\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">an Instagram reel<\/a> shared Monday.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAt the time the LGBTQ and woke crap took over and started destroying anything it could. Roseanne was one of the people that all of a sudden got flack for remaining to be a edgy comedian,\u201d it continued. \u201cFunny thing is even if she was racist, she had already said more egregious jokes and nobody batted an eye before.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Fishman responded directly to the comment on camera, saying, \u201cI get this every day. I get these kinds of ignorant and inaccurate comments daily,\u201d he began, appearing to be exhausted by the sentiment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMostly, I try to ignore them. For over eight years, I\u2019ve been dealing with it quietly,\u201d he continued. \u201cUsually, I don\u2019t respond.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>Former child star Michael Fishman addressed comments about the \u201cRoseanne\u201d reboot\u2019s 2018 cancellation in a heartfelt social media post on Monday (as seen above). <span class=\"credit\">Instagram\/Michael Fishman<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>The actor, who played DJ Conner on the series (seen here on \u201cRoseanne\u201d in 1994), said the cancellation was justified. <span class=\"credit\">\u00a9Carsey-Werner Co\/Courtesy Everett Collection<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-primary-tag\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>The actor, now 44, went on, noting, \u201cAfter eight years, turning the other cheek really isn\u2019t helping.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo, I guess the world failed to learn the lesson. So I\u2019m going to point out. We are perpetuating a lie, and people are using a political smokescreen to justify the indefensible,\u201d he said, referencing how Barr <a href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2018\/05\/30\/roseanne-barr-mocked-for-ambien-defense-in-racist-tweet-storm\/\">called her own actions \u201cindefensible\u201d<\/a> in an apology at the time.<\/p>\n<p>Back in 2018, Barr was brought to task in the court of public opinion for publicly sharing a polarizing tweet comparing former President\u00a0Barack Obama\u2019s advisor,\u00a0Valerie Jarrett,\u00a0to an \u201cape.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The comedian, now 73, defended herself at the time by claiming she\u2019d been on a sleep aid called Ambien and <a href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2018\/07\/20\/roseanne-on-valerie-jarrett-tweet-i-thought-the-b-h-was-white\/\">didn\u2019t know that she thought Jarrett was white<\/a>. She also later <a href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2025\/06\/09\/entertainment\/roseanne-barr-blames-god-for-racist-2018-tweet-that-ended-career\/\">blamed God<\/a>. Ultimately, the show\u2019s reboot was <a href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2018\/05\/29\/abc-cancels-roseanne-after-racist-tweets\/\">axed by ABC<\/a> before a second season could materialize.<\/p>\n<p>It was quickly retooled as \u201cThe Conners\u201d \u2014 without Barr \u2014 and that sitcom lasted seven seasons, ending in 2025.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>\u201cThe show was rightfully canceled,\u201d Fishman (seen here with the \u201cRoseanne\u201d cast in 2017) said of the actions taken after a controversial tweet by Roseanne Barr about former President\u00a0Barack Obama\u2019s advisor,\u00a0Valerie Jarrett. <br \/><span class=\"credit\">Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>Fishman pointed out how even Barr (seen above on the reboot) called her social media posts \u201cindefensible\u201d at the time.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cThose justifications, they\u2019re leading to real consequences. Real crimes,\u201d Fishman said, referencing current-day tragedies involving the deaths of black Americans like <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/08\/11\/us-news\/tasia-fortunes-mom-denies-her-daughter-hanged-herself-she-did-not-do-this\/\">T<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/08\/08\/us-news\/mississipi-woman-29-found-dead-hanging-from-tree-behind-home\/\">a<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/08\/11\/us-news\/tasia-fortunes-mom-denies-her-daughter-hanged-herself-she-did-not-do-this\/\">sia Fortune<\/a>, Trey Reed and <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/08\/06\/us-news\/nolan-wells-pals-to-return-to-horn-island-to-investigate-18-year-olds-death-lawyers\/\">Nolan Wells<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDehumanizing people is never a joke,\u201d he noted. \u201cSee, when we\u2019re onstage as comedians, or on camera, we have the freedom to say whatever we want. But that doesn\u2019t mean there\u2019s no responsibility and no consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe brilliant comedians help us laugh at the darkest, darkest topics,\u201d he went on. \u201cSadly, in this case, there was no joke. And the show was rightfully canceled. It\u2019s the last time I\u2019m really gonna go into this.\u201d <\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_23-0\">Fishman allowed in his commentary that \u201cgood people make mistakes,\u201d and confessed that he \u201clove[s] the one who made this mistake\u201d and \u201calways will.\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_23-0\">\u201cI\u2019ll always have compassion and love [for Barr], and I\u2019ve shown it continuously and she helped the world understand that good people can make mistakes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_25-0\">\u201cBut there was no joke. There was only damage and dehumanizing \u2014 and perpetuating racial tropes leads to real-world consequences,\u201d he added in part.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>Fishman (seen here with the \u201cRoseanne\u201d cast in 1988) said comedians \u201chave the freedom to say whatever we want\u201d on a stage or in front of a camera, but \u201cthat doesn\u2019t mean there\u2019s no responsibility and no consequences.\u201d <span class=\"credit\">\u00a9ABC\/Courtesy Everett Collection<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>\u201cThe brilliant comedians help us laugh at the darkest, darkest topics,\u201d Fishman (pictured here alongside John Goodman on \u201cRoseanne\u201d in 1993) said. <span class=\"credit\">\u00a9Carsey-Werner Co\/Courtesy Everett Collection<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"single__inline-module inline-module inline-module--newsletter aligncenter inline-module--nypostbusinessunit aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-newsletter\" data-source-unit=\"Inline Newsletter Module Page Six Daily\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__inner\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__title-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__unsubmitted-title-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"inline-module__title headline headline--combo-sm-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWant more celebrity and pop culture news?\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"inline-module__cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStart your day with Page Six Daily.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><h3 class=\"inline-module__title headline headline--combo-sm-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_25-0\">\u201cAnd the only people who are backstabbed were the people who were targeted by the statements. And those who became collateral damage from it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_29-0\">Fishman then addressed those who had defended racist comments online or shared their own. <\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_29-0\">\u201cBe smart enough to just shut the hell up,\u201d the actor concluded the upload. \u201cDon\u2019t finish the statement, don\u2019t hit send and certainly don\u2019t rage against anybody else. Because words have real-world consequences, and some of us deal with them every day. That\u2019s freedom of speech.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Fishman captioned the reel, \u201cHumanity crumbles when justify dehumanization and stay silent to suffering, inequality, exclusion, and oppression. We can do better. I was shaped by the show I grew up on. Now I am building bigger. Words have consequences.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>A rep for Barr did not immediately respond to Page Six\u2019s request for comment on Tuesday evening. <\/p>\n<p>Back in 2018, Barr addressed the controversial tweets multiple times, apologizing and insisting that it was politically, and not racially, motivated. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>Fishman (seen here on \u201cRoseanne\u201d in 1995) said he gets \u201cignorant and inaccurate\u201d comments about the show\u2019s cancellation \u201cevery day,\u201d and finally decided to address them head-on. <span class=\"credit\">\u00a9Carsey-Werner Co\/Courtesy Everett Collection<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>Despite his strong feelings about Barr\u2019s social media activities in 2018, Fishman (seen with Barr above on \u201cRoseanne\u201d in 1994) said he will \u201calways have compassion and love\u201d for her. <span class=\"credit\">\u00a9Carsey-Werner Co\/Courtesy Everett Collection<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The social media rant was \u201cabout asking for accountability from the previous administration about the Iran deal, which Valerie Jarrett is the author of, and that was what was in my head,\u201d Barr said in a 2018 interview with Fox News\u2019 Sean Hannity.<\/p>\n<p>She added that her initial reaction to the public outcry \u201cwas shock that they were saying it was racial, when it\u2019s political.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In a separate 2018 podcast interview with Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, Barr said, \u201cI have to face that it hurt people.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen you hurt people even unwillingly there\u2019s no excuse. I don\u2019t want to run off and blather on with excuses,\u201d she added. \u201cBut I <a href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2018\/06\/24\/roseanne-i-made-myself-a-hate-magnet\/\">apologize to anyone who thought<\/a>, or felt offended and who thought that I meant something that I, in fact, did not mean. It was my own ignorance, and there\u2019s no excuse for that ignorance.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Former child star Michael Fishman became emotional while laying out his thoughts on the \u201cRoseanne\u201d reboot\u2019s cancellation back in 2018. Fishman \u2014 who played the title character\u2019s son, DJ Conner, on the beloved sitcom \u2014 shared a social media comment regarding the years-old controversy, which saw Roseanne Barr fired from her own revival series after&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":40363,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/08\/137130872.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-40362","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pics-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40362","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=40362"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40362\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/40363"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=40362"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=40362"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=40362"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}