Michael Fishman speaks out against Roseanne Barr's racist tweet

In 2018, Roseanne Barr's racist tweet about political advisor Valerie Jarrett resulted in the cancellation of her sitcom, 'Roseanne.' The backlash was immediate, with Barr later calling her comments 'indefensible' and issuing an apology. Michael Fishman, a co-star on the show, condemned Barr's actions while expressing his love for her. Following the controversy, Barr's son, Jake Pentland, claimed that the cast conspired against her, indicating a more complex situation surrounding the show's cancellation.

Michael Fishman speaks out against Roseanne Barr's racist tweet
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Published Aug 13, 2026

Topic overview

Briefly

  • In 2018, Roseanne Barr's racist tweet about Valerie Jarrett led to the cancellation of her sitcom.
  • Michael Fishman condemned Barr's actions but expressed love and compassion for her.
  • Jake Pentland claimed the cast conspired against his mother, suggesting deeper issues at play.

What happened

In 2018, Roseanne Barr faced severe backlash after posting a racist tweet about political advisor Valerie Jarrett, which ultimately led to the cancellation of her popular sitcom, 'Roseanne.' The tweet was widely condemned as 'indefensible' and 'dehumanizing,' prompting ABC to make the decision to cancel the show. Following the incident, Barr acknowledged the inappropriateness of her comments, referring to them as a 'bad joke' and issued an apology to Jarrett. The fallout from the tweet not only affected the show but also had significant repercussions for Barr's career, including being dropped by her agent shortly after the cancellation. In the wake of the controversy, Michael Fishman, who starred alongside Barr, expressed his disapproval of her actions while also conveying his love and compassion for her as a person. He emphasized that good people can make mistakes but highlighted the importance of recognizing the real consequences of such actions. Barr's son, Jake Pentland, later defended his mother, claiming that the cast conspired against her, suggesting that the situation was more complex than it appeared. The incident sparked discussions about racism, accountability, and the impact of social media on public figures, illustrating the broader societal implications of Barr's comments and the subsequent cancellation of the show.

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Updated Aug 13, 2026

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