ABC executives are regretting firing Roseanne Barr so quickly after she made a controversial, racially charged comment on Twitter, and fear the upcoming spinoff “The Connors,” which features many of the same characters minus Roseanne, won’t generate good ratings, according to a new report.
The Daily Mail, quoting two senior executives at the network, who chose to remain anonymous, reported the regret and fear.
“We didn’t think it through properly. What Roseanne did was wrong but we shouldn’t have rushed to fire her. It was almost a knee-jerk reaction by Ben [Sherwood] and Channing [Dungey] who should have launched an investigation,” said one executive.
“This would have given them more time to listen to the public, advertisers and cast members to determine the best decision.”
The “Roseanne” reboot, which started airing earlier this year but stopped after Barr’s firing, was the top scripted series across all networks, averaging 19.3 million total viewers per episode, including a 5.5 rating among the coveted 18-49 demographic.
The show generated much controversy after the main character supported President Donald Trump, a stance not typically seen on mainstream television, which skews to the left.
But the ratings magnet would have continued if not for the Roseanne tweet, and possibly should have continued despite the missive, the executives said, noting other punishment options existed.
(L-R, Back Row) Executive producers Whitney Cummings and Tom Werner, actors Ames McNamera, Emma Kenney, Jayden Rey, executive producer Bruce Helford, (l-r, front row) actor Michael Fishman, executive producer/actress Sara Gilbert, actress Laurie Metcalf, executive producer/actress Roseanne Barr, actors John Goodman, Lecy Goranson and Sarah Chalke of the television show 'Roseanne' speak onstage during the ABC Television/Disney portion of the 2018 Winter Television Critics Association Press Tour at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena in Pasadena, California on Jan. 8, 2018. Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
‘They Could’ve Suspended Her
One executive told the Mail that Roseanne could have been suspended for a few episodes without pay but ultimately allowed to return.
Zachary Stieber
Senior Reporter
Zachary Stieber is a senior reporter for The Epoch Times based in Maryland. He covers U.S. and world news. Contact Zachary at [email protected]
