During a recent episode of the “Can’t Be Censored” podcast, veteran actress Roseanne Barr, 73, launched a scathing tirade at former “Roseanne” co‑star Michael Fishman. Barr accused Fishman of being a “brainwashed bigot” after he publicly stated that the 2018 reboot of the iconic sitcom was “rightfully canceled.”
Background on the reboot controversy
The original “Roseanne” series, a cultural touchstone of the 1990s, was revived in March 2018 to strong ratings and enthusiastic viewer response. However, the revival was abruptly pulled from ABC’s schedule in May 2018 following Barr’s tweet that included a racist slur directed at former President Barack Obama’s former adviser, Valerie Jarrett. The network terminated Barr’s contract and cancelled the show.
ABC later introduced a spin‑off titled The Connors, which retained most of the original cast but excluded Barr’s character, explaining her absence as an off‑screen death.
Barr’s recent remarks
On the podcast, Barr said Fishman “doesn’t even know what I said, even though I’ve explained it 10,000 times for nine years on the Internet.” She added that Fishman “hasn’t even taken the time to listen to what I say because he’s a bigot.” Barr’s language was profane, and she repeated the insult, urging Fishman to “go and f— yourself and stay f—ed till the day you die.”
She also claimed Fishman’s perspective aligns with the Democratic Party platform, which she described as being “shoved down his throat.” Barr said, “You have no geopolitical context whatsoever to discuss what I said.”
Reactions from former cast members
Laurie Metcalf, who portrayed Barr’s sister Jackie Harris on the show, told The New Yorker that she and Barr have not spoken since the series ended. In a June 2025 interview with Fox News Digital, Barr confirmed she has no ongoing relationships with any former co‑stars, stating, “I’m not friends with none of them. They’re all in the past.” She added that she holds “no bitterness” toward them but criticized what she called their “greed and ridiculous stupidity.”
Industry context
The dispute highlights the lingering tension between Barr and the network after the 2018 controversy. While the reboot’s cancellation was a direct response to Barr’s offensive tweet, the subsequent spin‑off proceeded without her involvement, underscoring the network’s effort to distance the franchise from the controversy.
Fans of the original series remain divided, with some defending Barr’s right to free expression and others condemning the hateful language that led to the show’s removal. The ongoing public exchange between Barr and Fishman reflects broader cultural debates about accountability, free speech, and the role of personal conduct in entertainment.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
