When Jimmy Kimmel Live! was reinstated after just a short suspension, Roseanne Barr wasn’t subtle about her reaction: she called it a double standard — plain and simple. In an interview with NewsNation, Barr lamented how ABC and Hollywood washed their hands of her after her controversial 2018 tweet, while seemingly giving Kimmel a fast pass for his recent misstep.
“I got my whole life ruined, no forgiveness and all of my work stolen, and called a racist for time and eternity … It’s a double standard.”
Roseanne reminds anyone who’ll listen that when she tweeted a racially charged message about Valerie Jarrett — comparing her to “Muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes” — ABC canceled her show immediately. Even though she deleted it, apologized, and claimed she misinterpreted Jarrett’s background, the network moved fast.
Now Barr argues that Kimmel, by contrast, is being given a second (and third, maybe) chance — despite his own history with blackface sketches and past controversies.
She didn’t stop there: Barr took aim at Kimmel’s past and his public criticism of her, reminding audiences that he once labeled her a racist even while he had a problematic track record himself.
When “Cancel Culture” Becomes One‑Sided
Roseanne’s point is less about redeeming her own image (though that’s clearly part of it) and more about shining a light on how networks, media, and public discourse deal in selective accountability. Why does one person get permanently canceled while another walks back in like nothing happened?
Barr argues that people in power — writers, producers, networks — often protect favored talents while discarding others. She accuses ABC of “erasing” her legacy, especially as someone who, in her view, was once seen as a feminist icon and trailblazer in media.
“I’ve been erased from history, from the history of feminism … I’m never mentioned in anything about women who are pioneers in media. I’m never mentioned in anything anymore.”
Roseanne also speculated that if Kimmel had “defended her” during her own scandal, perhaps her outcome would’ve been different. She suggests that silence, or failure to keep each other up, plays into how stories get framed or buried.
Some critics are quick to dismiss her as bitter or incapable of change. But whether you like Barr or not, her critique taps into a larger conversation: who gets forgiven, and who doesn’t — and why.
Kimmel’s Return, Barr’s Legacy & What the Public Believes
Let’s talk specifics. ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! amid backlash over remarks he made regarding the killing of conservative figure Charlie Kirk. After just five days, Kimmel was welcomed back on air — with tears, apologies, and a standing ovation.
Roseanne sees that as proof — symbolic proof — that the media machine treats established entertainers differently. Kimmel’s past blackface routines (e.g. impersonating Karl Malone on The Man Show) came under scrutiny in 2020, and he apologized then. Barr uses that as ammunition, saying: “He called me a racist … but himself appeared in blackface on their network many times.”
Is Roseanne right? Is Kimmel’s return indicative of favoritism? Maybe yes, maybe no — but she’s certainly striking a nerve. Whether the public agrees depends on how much people value redemption, consistency, and the weight of past offenses.
For many viewers, the optics are bad. Watching Kimmel get a fast track back while Roseanne remains exiled feels hypocritical, particularly to those who care about justice, equality, or transparency in media. Barr might even be wielding her controversy as a kind of “truth bomb” — a reminder that celebrity scandals don’t hit everyone the same.
