Roseanne Barr blasts ‘double standard’ as Jimmy Kimmel returns to late-night show after suspension

Roseanne Barr is again weighing in on what she sees as a double standard in the television industry, criticizing the treatment of her career versus the swift return of Jimmy Kimmel to late-night television following a suspension. In an interview with NewsNation, Barr said the industry’s response to her 2018 controversy and to Kimmel’s recent conduct illustrates what she characterized as unequal accountability. “It just shows how they think. I got my whole life ruined, no forgiveness, all of my work stolen, and called a racist for time and eternity, for racially misgendering someone,” Barr said, describing what she described as a double standard that has persisted in Hollywood. Barr’s comments come as Kimmel’s late-night program was greenlit to resume on ABC after a brief suspension tied to controversy surrounding a monologue about conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Kimmel’s return to Jimmy Kimmel Live! marked a notable moment in late-night television, with ABC signaling the show would come back to the air after a nearly weeklong suspension. The host’s comeback was underscored by a somber, extended monologue in which he addressed the remarks about Charlie Kirk and the ensuing fallout. He acknowledged that his remarks may have been misfired and stressed that his intent was not to mock a specific group, saying, “I don’t think there’s anything funny about it,” and that he acknowledged the incident as a mistake. The episode opened with a broader reflection on the controversy and its impact on the show’s direction.

The dispute drew renewed attention to how networks and hosts handle past remarks. Barr’s 2018 run on the air ended after she tweeted about Valerie Jarrett, a former Obama adviser who is Black, which led ABC to cancel the “Roseanne” reboot. At the time, ABC Entertainment President Channing Dungey stated that Barr’s tweet was abhorrent and inconsistent with the network’s values, prompting the cancellation of the show. Barr has argued that the same standards have not always applied to others in the industry, including Kimmel, who has faced scrutiny for past sketches in blackface that resurfaced in 2020.

Barr said Kimmel’s swift return would be celebrated by some fans, suggesting the comeback would be framed as a victory for those who oppose Barr and her critics. “Maybe if he had defended me, maybe this wouldn’t have happened,” she added, implying that solidarity or support from Kimmel could have altered public perceptions of her case. She cast the current dynamics as evidence of a broader Hollywood double standard that she says disadvantages some figures while allowing others to resume their work after controversy.

The broader industry context surrounding Kimmel’s return included public pushback from broadcasting groups. Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group, which operate numerous ABC affiliates, announced they would preempt Kimmel’s program due to what they described as ill-timed and insensitive commentary. The decision highlighted how network crossovers and local affiliate practices can influence when a late-night host appears on air, even as the network itself moves to reestablish a schedule after a suspension.

Kimmel, for his part, acknowledged the complexity of the situation. In his Sept. 23 monologue, he addressed the murder of Charlie Kirk’s antagonist and the surrounding media discourse, reiterating that his aim was not to blame a broad group for a singular tragedy. He described his remarks as ill-timed and unclear, signaling a willingness to reflect on the line between pointed political satire and responsible commentary. The host’s team emphasized that suspension had spurred a review of on-air language and a renewed commitment to addressing sensitive topics with care.

The episode also underscored the ongoing tension around how figures in entertainment are held to different standards for past actions. Barr’s remarks about perceived inconsistencies in the industry come as media coverage continues to reframe debates over accountability, satire, and the boundaries of humor in a polarized political environment. While Kimmel’s return marks a step for his program, Barr’s comments remind readers that discussions of fairness in entertainment remain unsettled, with observers watching closely how networks balance audience expectations, advertiser considerations, and the evolving norms surrounding public figures.

Fox News Digital reached out to Barr for additional comment. The evolving story reflects a broader conversation about consequences, forgiveness, and the public missteps that can follow entertainers across years and platforms. As the culture and entertainment landscape continues to adjust to renewed debates over accountability, Barr’s perspective adds another layer to the ongoing dialogue about double standards in Hollywood and late-night television.