Roseanne Barr accuses ABC of double standard as Kimmel returns from suspension

Roseanne Barr has accused ABC of a double standard over the suspension and return of Jimmy Kimmel, arguing the network's handling of Kimmel differs from its 2018 decision to cancel her Roseanne reboot. Barr, 72, told NewsNation on Tuesday that the Disney-owned network allowed Kimmel to resume Jimmy Kimmel Live while her own Roseanne reboot was abruptly canceled after a racist tweet about former Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett.

Barr, in a NewsNation interview, said she felt I got my whole life ruined, no forgiveness and all of my work stolen and called a racist for time and eternity, for racially misgendering someone, and added that It just shows how they think. It's a double standard. She also predicted Kimmel's first post-suspension show would be a celebration for his supporters, saying he’ll cheer himself on and his fans ... They'll feel heartened and, you know, like they won another battle against Trump and the people of the United States. So it'll be a big celebration. Oh, he's back, and he’ll double down.

ABC revived Barr's iconic sitcom in 2018, but the star was abruptly fired in May of that year for a tweet about Jarrett. The network canceled the show and launched the spinoff The Conners, which continued without Barr. Barr has said she apologized for the tweet at the time and claimed she believed Jarrett was white.

Last week, Jimmy Kimmel Live! was taken off the air by ABC because of his monologue about Charlie Kirk's assassination, drawing widespread backlash. After pressure from Disney, the network reinstated Kimmel, and he returned Tuesday night to address his controversial remarks. In his opening, he said it was never his intention to mock a murder and acknowledged that the remarks felt ill-timed or unclear to some. He also included jabs at President Trump and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, while stopping short of outright criticizing ABC or Disney.

The episode underscores a broader conversation about how networks handle satire, accountability, and timing in political commentary. As Kimmel resumed his late-night duties, Barr’s remarks revived questions about consistency in punishment and forgiveness within the entertainment industry.

Meanwhile, Kimmel’s return has been framed by his own early remarks that targeted political figures and regulators, a reminder that late-night hosts remain deeply intertwined with political discourse. The dynamic draw attention to whether networks will apply similar standards across hosts and personalities who push the boundaries of satire and commentary. A look at the arc from 2018 to today highlights how audiences, networks, and talent navigate the evolving landscape of contemporary culture and entertainment.