Comedian Points Finger At God Over Career-Ending Tweet
Comedian Roseanne Barr recently spoke out about the controversial tweet that led to the cancellation of her revived sitcom in 2018. In an interview with Variety, Barr claimed she believed the tweet—comparing former Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett to a character from Planet of the Apes—was divinely inspired. She said the backlash was intentional, asserting that her goal was to draw public attention to Jarrett’s involvement in the Iran nuclear deal. According to Barr, over two million people searched Jarrett’s name and the deal after her post.
Barr explained that she had been frustrated with how ABC was handling her show’s reboot and posted the tweet after waking up under the influence of sleep aids and alcohol. She said a meme she saw comparing Jarrett to a fictional ape character prompted her to share it, linking it to her anger over the treatment of women in Iran—an issue she had been discussing with journalists at the time. The tweet, widely condemned as racist, led ABC to cancel Roseanne and relaunch the show as The Conners, killing off her character.
She has repeatedly denied that the tweet was racially motivated, saying she was unaware of Jarrett’s race and intended the comment as political criticism rather than a racial slur. Barr also criticized Disney and its leadership, including Bob Iger, accusing them of misunderstanding the meaning of her reference to Planet of the Apes and of acting on political bias due to her conservative views.
Barr expressed regret for apologizing, saying that doing so only intensified the backlash. She warned others against apologizing to what she called “the Left,” arguing that it invites further attacks. Additionally, she shared frustrations with how the show’s creative direction conflicted with her personal values, specifically referencing discomfort with proposed storylines involving gender identity.
Throughout her career, Barr has been candid about her spiritual beliefs. She has described a lifelong dialogue with God, dating back to early childhood, and said her faith has shaped her sense of moral responsibility. Her statements reveal a blend of religious conviction, political commentary, and personal reflection on the controversy that dramatically altered her career.