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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ROSEANNE BARR AND RABBI SHMULEY BOTEACH STATEMENT ON ROSEANNE CANCELLATION AND CONNNERS PREMIERE

NEW YORK, NY; October 17, 2018 – Roseanne Barr and her longtime Rabbi and friend, World Values Network Founder Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, have issued the following statement regarding the cancellation of Roseanne and the premiere of The Conners:

“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.

“This was a choice the network did not have to make. Roseanne was the only show on television that directly addressed the deep divisions threatening the very fabric of our society. Specifically, the show promoted the message that love and respect for one another’s personhood should transcend differences in background and ideological discord. 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.

“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.

“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.”

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About The World Values Network
The World Values Network’s mission is to disseminate universal Jewish values in politics, culture, and media, making the Jewish people a light unto the nations.

It is our belief that Judaism, with its unique emphasis on perfecting the world and celebrating life, can benefit America against some the greatest challenges of our time including high rates of divorce, teen alienation, depression, and growing ignorance and materialism.
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THE WORLD VALUES NETWORK www.worldvalues.us
RUBENSTEIN PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTACT: JOSH BERKMAN, 212-805-3055 JBERKMAN@RUBENSTEINPR.COM