'I Ain't Dead B****es!' Roseanne Slams Character's Overdose After 'Conners' Premiere
Oct. 18 2018, Updated 7:57 p.m. ET
Roseanne Barr's character did not get her happy ending after her network firing — and the outspoken actress is not staying quiet!
As RadarOnline.com readers know, the Roseanne spinoff series, The Conners, premiered this Tuesday, October 16. And while the show will be a fun, informative and uplifting storyline, the first episode confirmed the tragic death of Barr's character!
In one scene, John Goodman's character and Laurie Metcalf's character address the sudden passing of "Granny Rose," saying that while the entire family thinks she died of a heart attack in her sleep, she was really killed by an opiate overdose.
"I AIN'T DEAD, BI***ES!!!!" Barr, 65, tweeted after the shocking premiere.
Despite the commotion surrounding the character's tragic drug OD, show execs defended their decision, saying that the opiate crisis is an important issue to address — even in a comedy series. But Barr disagreed. In a lengthy statement with longtime friend Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, the shamed actress said that while she wished the best for her former costars in their new project, she did not think her character's brutal end was necessary.
"While we wish the very best for the cast and production crew of The Conners, all of whom are deeply dedicated to their craft and were Roseanne's cherished colleagues, we regret that ABC chose to cancel Roseanne by killing off the Roseanne Conner character. That it was done through an opioid overdose lent an unnecessary grim and morbid dimension to an otherwise happy family show," read the statement.
They said that in killing Barr's character off to drugs, network execs did the show a disservice, purely to get revenge on her for her racist tweet.
"This was a choice the network did not have to make," Barr and Biotech added. "The show brought together characters of different political persuasions and ethnic backgrounds in one, unified family, a rarity in modern American entertainment. Above all else, the show celebrated a strong, matriarchal woman in a leading role, something we need more of in our country."
Barr then addressed her infamous tweet, saying that network execs refused to forgive her even after she admitted she made a huge mistake.
"Through humor and a universally relatable main character, the show represented a weekly teaching moment for our nation. Yet it is often following an inexcusable – but not unforgivable – mistake that we can discover the most important lesson of all: Forgiveness. After repeated and heartfelt apologies, the network was unwilling to look past a regrettable mistake, thereby denying the twin American values of both repentance and forgiveness. In a hyper-partisan climate, people will sometimes make the mistake of speaking with words that do not truly reflect who they are. However, it is the power of forgiveness that defines our humanity."
The statement comes after Barr went on various Twitter tirades insulting the show cast and crew and blaming others for their reactions to her racist remark.
"Our society needs to heal on many levels. What better way for healing than a shared moment, once a week, where we could have all enjoyed a compelling storyline featuring a witty character – a woman – who America connected with, not in spite of her flaws, but because of them. The cancellation of Roseanne is an opportunity squandered due in equal parts to fear, hubris, and a refusal to forgive," the statement concluded.
Never Miss an
Daily updates from the heart of Hollywood, right to your inbox
By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you’re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
What do you think of Roseanne Barr's shocking statement? Sound off below.
We pay for juicy info! Do you have a story for RadarOnline.com? Email us at tips@radaronline.com, or call us at (866) ON-RADAR (667-2327) any time, day or night.
