In 2018, Roseanne Barr faced swift and severe backlash after posting a racially insensitive tweet about Valerie Jarrett, leading to the cancellation of her successful sitcom, Roseanne. Despite her subsequent apology and claims of being unfairly targeted, Barr’s career suffered a significant setback. In contrast, recent events have highlighted a perceived double standard in the entertainment industry. Jimmy Kimmel, known for his late-night political commentary, faced suspension from ABC following criticism from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr over remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The network’s decision to suspend Kimmel came amid pressure from the Trump administration, raising concerns about potential government overreach and censorship in media (Washington Post, Los Angeles Times).

Roseanne Barr has publicly criticized the disparate treatment, expressing frustration over the media’s response to her firing compared to the support Kimmel received. She contends that her termination was politically motivated and that she was unjustly slandered, while Kimmel is afforded opportunities to rehabilitate his image. Barr’s comments underscore ongoing debates about cancel culture and the inconsistencies in how public figures are held accountable for their statements (Hindustan Times, The Daily Beast).

This situation prompts a critical examination of the standards applied to public figures and the influence of political pressures on media decisions. The contrasting outcomes for Barr and Kimmel highlight the complexities of accountability and the role of political affiliations in shaping public and corporate responses to controversial statements.

References

  1. Washington Post
  2. Los Angeles Times
  3. Hindustan Times
  4. The Daily Beast

 

***  Correction –  Having checked the archive it appears the picture featured in this post is fabricated.  Here is what transpired on May 29, 2018 –

 

 

Good catch tildeb, thank you for pointing out the inaccuracy of the quoted material.