Michael Fishman, known for his role as D.J. Conner in the iconic sitcom Roseanne and its subsequent spin-off The Conners, has stated that the 2018 reboot of the show was “rightfully canceled” following Roseanne Barr’s racist remarks. Fishman addressed the controversy in an Instagram video, responding to fan comments that attributed the show’s demise to “woke crap.”
Fishman’s Stance on the Cancellation
In his video, Fishman, 44, directly confronted the notion that the cancellation was unwarranted, asserting that Barr’s comments were “indefensible” and “dehumanizing.” He explained that he had largely remained silent on the issue for years but felt compelled to speak out against what he described as “ignorant and inaccurate comments” that perpetuate a “lie.”
“After eight years, turning the other cheek is really not helping,” Fishman stated. “So, I guess the world failed to learn the lesson, so I’m going to point out – we are perpetuating a lie and people are using a political smoke screen to justify the indefensible.”
He emphasized that Barr herself had acknowledged her remarks as “indefensible” shortly after the incident. Fishman cautioned that justifying such statements can lead to “real consequences,” drawing parallels to tragic situations where dehumanization has played a role. He stressed that while comedians have freedom of expression, this freedom does not negate responsibility or consequences.
The Original Incident
The controversy erupted in May 2018 when Roseanne Barr posted a tweet targeting Valerie Jarrett, an African-American former advisor to President Barack Obama. Barr’s tweet likened Jarrett to “the Muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby.” The remark drew widespread condemnation for its racist undertones.
Initially, Barr defended her statement, but she later issued an apology to Jarrett, stating, “I am truly sorry for making a bad joke about her politics and her looks. I should have known better. Forgive me – my joke was in bad taste.” She also temporarily deactivated her Twitter account.
Despite the apology, the backlash was significant. ABC, the network airing the Roseanne reboot, swiftly canceled the show. At the time, the reboot was one of the highest-rated programs on U.S. television, making its abrupt cancellation a major event in the industry.
Consequences and the Birth of ‘The Conners’
The cancellation of Roseanne had immediate repercussions for Barr’s career, including being dropped by her agent. For the rest of the cast and crew, ABC moved quickly to develop a spin-off series. This new show, titled The Conners, featured the original cast members, excluding Barr. Her character, Roseanne Conner, was written out of the narrative by being killed off due to an opioid overdose.
The Conners premiered in late 2018 and continued for seven seasons, concluding in 2025. The series explored the Conner family’s struggles and resilience in the era of the Trump administration, maintaining a focus on working-class life.
Fishman’s Message on Responsibility
Fishman, who played D.J. Conner from the original series through The Conners, used his platform to advocate for thoughtful communication. He acknowledged that while he “loves” Barr and believes “good people make mistakes,” the impact of her words was damaging.
“There was no joke. There’s only damage and dehumanizing and perpetuating racial tropes. Leads to real world consequences,” he explained. He added that those who felt “backstabbed” were the individuals targeted by the statements and those caught in the “collateral damage.”
Concluding his video, Fishman urged his followers to exercise caution and mindfulness in their communication. “Be smart enough to just shut the hell up. Don’t finish the statement. Don’t hit send and certainly don’t rage against anybody else. Because words have real world consequences,” he advised. “And some of us deal with them every day. That’s freedom of speech.”
Valerie Jarrett, in response to Barr’s comments at the time, viewed the situation as a “teaching moment” and expressed concern for those without a strong support system who might face similar attacks. The decision by ABC Entertainment President Channing Dungey to cancel the show was described as a necessary step, reflecting the network’s values.
