Roseanne Barr is a transphobic, conspiracy theory-pushing right-wing radical — with a slot on primetime TV.
Naturally, people have a lot of opinions about the "Roseanne" reboot.
Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images.
The show premiered on March 27 on ABC to 18 million viewers, exceeding expectations and prompting a (weirdly) ratings-obsessed Trump to give Barr a ring to send congratulations. *eye roll*
One person who had some thoughts on the reboot was actress and comedian Sarah Silverman.
Photo by Tara Ziemba/AFP/Getty Images.
Silverman tweeted on Thursday night that she "loved" the modernized series and its "familiar feeling of the old but [with] comedy [and] content so totally of this moment, like the angst within close families over politics."
watched @RoseanneOnABC last night & loved it. That familiar feeling of the old but w comedy & content so totally o… https://t.co/2KMQXXIxF8— Sarah Silverman (@Sarah Silverman) 1522338957
What the liberal Silverman didn't address, though, is Barr's lengthy list of extreme attitudes and behaviors. The 65-year-old has used her platform to legitimize several far-right conspiracy theories — including Pizzagate and the "cover-up" surrounding the death of Democratic National Convention staffer Seth Rich — and she has routinely peddled transphobic, anti-Muslim, and anti-Semitic rhetoric through her work and social media presence.
Fellow actor and comedian Kumail Nanjiani chimed in to remind Silverman what a mess Barr really has been.
Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images.
Replying to Silverman's tweet, Nanjiani explained he couldn't bring himself to watch Barr — "a person who mocks teens whose friends were murdered [and] who traffics in conspiracy theories that damage our world [and] reality."
Nanjiani was referring to a now-deleted tweet Barr posted claiming Parkland teen David Hogg, who's become a vocal advocate for gun control in the wake of his school's mass shooting in February, was giving a "Nazi salute" at the March for Our Lives rally. The ridiculous conspiracy theory has been widely debunked by fact-checkers.
In a follow-up tweet, "The Big Sick" star noted that, while he understands Barr is portraying a fictional character on TV, the real Roseanne's opinions and actions have made it impossible for him to support the sitcom — a view poignantly reiterated in a thoughtful New York Times op-ed from writer and feminist powerhouse Roxane Gay.
Silverman responded, "Look — I muted [Roseanne] years ago. But I think the show could [be] good is all."
Silverman — whose own series on Hulu focuses in part on bridging the gap between red and blue America — said the show is made by "lots of people [she] loves."
She also noted one particular storyline in the reboot's premiere she felt was significant: The elder Conners (played by Barr and John Goodman) "resisting, learning," and then finally "accepting" their grandson's preference for wearing skirts and nail polish.
That evolution, Silverman wrote, is "how change happens."
@kumailn @RoseanneOnABC I’m judging?Look- I muted her years ago. But I think the show could b good is all. It’s mad… https://t.co/Vp1Kg7VIE6— Sarah Silverman (@Sarah Silverman) 1522372593
One refreshing thing about the online exchange? It didn't ruin a friendship! It didn't get snarky or mean-spirited!
Their dialogue was civil and respectful, and in the end, they seemed to agree to disagree about the show.
Silverman ended her last message to Nanjiani with, "LOVE U."
Nanjiani concluded "❤️ you too a lot."
When it comes to Barr's bigotry — or any suggestion that one human is worth less than another — we can't agree to disagree. Her views are wrong and harmful. Full stop.
But when we're debating with good-intentioned people in our lives who we happen to disagree with, know that even the fiercest debates can still end with heart emojis.
12 non-threatening leadership strategies for women
We mustn't hurt a man's feelings.
Men and the feels.
Note: This an excerpt is from Sarah Cooper's book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings.
In this fast-paced business world, female leaders need to make sure they're not perceived as pushy, aggressive, or competent.
One way to do that is to alter your leadership style to account for the fragile male ego.
Should men accept powerful women and not feel threatened by them? Yes. Is that asking too much?
IS IT?
Sorry, I didn't mean to get aggressive there. Anyhoo, here are twelve non-threatening leadership strategies for women.
Encourage.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When setting a deadline, ask your coworker what he thinks of doing something, instead of just asking him to get it done. This makes him feel less like you're telling him what to do and more like you care about his opinions.
Sharing ideas.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When sharing your ideas, overconfidence is a killer. You don't want your male coworkers to think you're getting all uppity. Instead, downplay your ideas as just "thinking out loud," "throwing something out there," or sharing something "dumb," "random," or "crazy."
Email requests.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pepper your emails with exclamation marks and emojis so you don't come across as too clear or direct. Your lack of efficient communication will make you seem more approachable.
Idea sharing.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
If a male coworker steals your idea in a meeting, thank him for it. Give him kudos for how he explained your idea so clearly. And let's face it, no one might've ever heard it if he hadn't repeated it.
Sexism.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you hear a sexist comment, the awkward laugh is key. Practice your awkward laugh at home, with your friends and family, and in the mirror. Make sure you sound truly delighted even as your soul is dying inside.
Mansplain.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Men love explaining things. But when he's explaining something and you already know that, it might be tempting to say, "I already know that." Instead, have him explain it to you over and over again. It will make him feel useful and will give you some time to think about how to avoid him in the future.
Mistakes.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pointing out a mistake is always risky so it's important to always apologize for noticing the mistake and then make sure that no one thinks you're too sure about it. People will appreciate your "hey what do I know?!" sensibilities.
Promotions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Asking your manager for a promotion could make you seem power- hungry, opportunistic, and transparent. Instead, ask a male coworker to vouch for you. Have your coworker tell your manager you'd be great for the role even though you don't really want it. This will make you more likely to actually get that promotion.
Rude.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Sometimes not everyone is properly introduced at the start of a meeting. Don't take it personally even if it happens to you all the time, and certainly don't stop the meeting from moving forward to introduce yourself. Sending a quick note afterward is the best way to introduce yourself without seeming too self-important.
Interruptions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you get interrupted, you might be tempted to just continue talking or even ask if you can finish what you were saying. This is treacherous territory. Instead, simply stop talking. The path of least resistance is silence.
Collaboration.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When collaborating with a man, type using only one finger. Skill and speed are very off-putting.
Disagreements.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When all else fails, wear a mustache so everyone sees you as more man-like. This will cancel out any need to change your leadership style. In fact, you may even get a quick promotion!
In conclusion...
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Many women have discovered the secret power of non-threatening leadership. We call it a "secret power" because no one else actually knows about it. We keep our power hidden within ourselves so that it doesn't frighten and intimidate others. That's what makes us the true unsung heroes of the corporate world.
About the Author: Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper is a writer, comedian, and author of 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings. Her new book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings, is out now.
The comedic book cover.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
A satirical take on what it's like to be a woman in the workplace, Cooper draws from her experience as a former executive in the world of tech (she's a former Googler and Yahooer). You can get the book here.
This article was originally published on March 25, 2019.