Rosanne Barr Pulls No Punches: 'Jimmy Kimmel Lied'
Roseanne Barr Utah Pride Festival, 2011. Photo by Jonathan Mauer under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Roseanne Barr is making it clear she sees no comparison between her 2018 cancellation and Jimmy Kimmel's recent suspension. After ABC pulled Kimmel's long-running late-night show following controversial remarks about the murder of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, Barr fired back on social media, insisting the two situations "aren't the same" and emphasizing that she "wasn't fired for lying" but for "telling the truth about the Iran deal," as reported by The Daily Beast.
Kimmel's Suspension and FCC Pressure
Jimmy Kimmel's show was placed on indefinite hiatus after his monologue about Charlie Kirk's death sparked backlash. Kirk, a conservative political commentator, was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University. During his broadcast, Kimmel accused the "MAGA Gang" of trying to distance themselves from the shooter and criticized political responses to the tragedy, as reported by PEOPLE. The comments drew swift condemnation from Nexstar Media, the largest local broadcast company in the U.S., which announced it would replace Kimmel's show in its ABC-affiliated markets.
The Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr praised Nexstar's move, stating it was important for broadcasters to uphold "community values," as reported by PEOPLE. This regulatory and corporate pressure led ABC to suspend Kimmel's show, a decision that ignited a wave of reactions from celebrities and politicians.
Barr's 2018 Cancellation: Political Speech and Controversy
Roseanne Barr's 2018 cancellation came after she posted a tweet calling Valerie Jett, a former aide to President Barack Obama, a combination of the "Muslim Brotherhood & Planet of the Apes," as reported by The Daily Beast. Barr later deleted the tweet and apologized, attributing the post to a haze of Ambien and alcohol and expressing anger over the Obama administration's 2015 Iran nuclear deal, in which Jarrett played a key role.
Barr has repeatedly stated that her firing was not about lies or hate speech but about her political speech on the Iran deal. She wrote on X that she "wasn't fired for lying" but for "telling the truth about the Iran deal," as reported by The Daily Beast. Barr also criticized what she described as a media "cabal" that branded her tweet racist and worked to enforce that narrative.
Barr's Reaction to Kimmel's Suspension
Following the announcement of Kimmel's suspension, Barr expressed satisfaction, writing that "today is better than my birthday" in response to California Governor Gavin Newsom's criticism of conservative censorship, according to The Daily Beast. She also mocked comparisons between her cancellation and Kimmel's suspension, stating that Kimmel would receive a "PR tour to clear his name with the backing of all media," while she was "slandered into oblivion."
Barr's comments reflect her belief that her cancellation was politically motivated and that she faced harsher treatment than Kimmel, whose suspension came amid regulatory and corporate pressures.
Hollywood and Political Reactions to Kimmel's Suspension
The entertainment industry responded strongly to Kimmel's suspension. Comedians Wanda Sykes and Mike Birbiglia publicly defended Kimmel, framing the suspension as an attack on free speech. Sykes, who was scheduled to appear on Kimmel's show, sarcastically noted the irony of losing freedom of speech within a year of major global conflicts.
Democratic politicians also weighed in. Senator Cory Booker and Representative Jasmine Crockett shared the text of the First Amendment and criticized the suspension as a chilling blow to free expression. Crockett highlighted perceived inconsistencies in outrage over different incidents involving speech and violence.
California Governor Gavin Newsom accused conservative forces of coordinated censorship, writing that the GOP "does not believe in free speech" and is "censoring you in real time," as reported by PEOPLE.
Media Accountability and Corporate Decisions
Both Barr's and Kimmel's cancellations involved the Walt Disney Company, which owns ABC. Critics have pointed to perceived inconsistencies in how Disney enforces content standards. Barr and actress Gina Carano were fired for controversial social media posts, while Kimmel's suspension followed external regulatory and market pressures.
Nexstar's decision to preempt Kimmel's show may have been influenced by its pending acquisition of Tegna, which would expand its reach to 80% of U.S. TV households. The deal requires approval from the Trump-controlled FCC, adding a political dimension to the corporate decision.
The Ongoing Debate
Roseanne Barr's insistence that her cancellation and Kimmel's suspension are fundamentally different underscores the complex interplay of politics, media, and corporate interests in today's entertainment landscape. Barr's claims of being punished for political speech contrast with Kimmel's removal amid regulatory and market pressures following a politically charged joke.
The reactions from celebrities, politicians, and media companies reveal deep divisions over free speech, accountability, and the boundaries of acceptable public discourse. As Barr continues to push back against comparisons to Kimmel, the conversation about media standards and political expression remains highly charged and unresolved.
References: Roseanne Barr Melts Down Over Jimmy Kimmel Comparisons | Ben Stiller, Wanda Sykes and More Hollywood Stars React to Jimmy Kimmel Being Pulled from ABC | Did Democrats forget about Disney firing Gina Carano and Roseanne Barr?
