Roseanne Barr defends 'Islamophobic' episode of Roseanne

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When Roseanne returned, many turned up their nose.

The leading actress, Roseanne Barr, has been a vocal Donald Trump supporter and someone whose political views have always been present on the show. American viewers certainly were not put off, with just under 18.1 million people watching the revival’s first episode.

And while the show has been controversial, Tuesday (8 May) night’s episode proved more so than any other. The episode – called ‘Go Cubs’ – saw the titular character, played by Barr, believe that her new neighbours of Muslim decent were building a bomb.

“Did you see the crazy amount of fertilizer they got stacked up near their garage?” Roseanne asked midway through the episode. “That’s how they make bombs. What if this is a sleeper cell full of terrorists getting ready to blow up our neighbourhood?” She later referred to the family as being from “Talibanjistan” when they are from Yemen.

While later in the episode Roseanne becomes more accepting of her neighbours, many were critical, The Daily Beast asking if the show was attempting to “troll” viewers or bring up a necessary discussion.

Twitter was split, some people heralding the episode while others said the show posited that “Muslims are terrorists, but you’re one of the good ones,” one writer arguing “Racists everywhere compartmentalize for people they actually know.” People have also said the episode was “Islamophobic”.

Writing on social media, Barr defended the episode, writing: “I like to do TV episodes about REAL ISSUES & REAL PEOPLE. That’s what I do. Next season will be even more current events. I will challenge every sacred cow in USA.”

Barr’s fans responded to the statement with positive comments, while others remained unsatisfied with the answer.

A second season of Roseanne has already been commissioned. The show is executive-produced by writer Whitney Cummings, actresses Gilbert and Barr, Tom Werner and Helford.

Roseanne airs on Tuesdays at 8pm on ABC.