Roseanne was reportedly 'sobbing' during podcast with rabbi
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Roseanne Barr, who hasn’t given an interview since losing her television show as the result of flurry of racist tweets, offered an emotional and rambling mea culpa during a podcast with New Jersey-based Rabbi Shmuley Boteach.
At various moments, Barr reportedly even lapsed into tears.
“She was sobbing and very apologetic about the whole thing,” a source told the Hollywood Reporter.
She was set to record Joe Rogan’s podcast Friday but bailed on that appearance. “She’s not doing well and doesn’t want to travel, and she’s gone radio silent on me, so I’m just going to step away,” Rogan said.
Rabbi Boteach, who refers to himself as “America’s Rabbi” on his website and is the author of Kosher Sex, is reportedly a spiritual advisor to Barr. Boteach is also known for his friendship with the late Michael Jackson. The rabbi is a strong voice against marriage equality and once starred in his own reality show, Shalom in the Home.
Barr lost her show, the rebooted Roseanne, when she erupted in a racist Twitter tirade, writing that Chelsea Clinton was married to the nephew of billionaire George Soros (whom she called a “Nazi” and worse). Turning to former Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett, she tweeted: “Muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj.”
Barr was immediately dropped by her agency ICM, and the revival of her namesake series was canceled. “Roseanne’s Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values, and we have decided to cancel her show,” Channing Dungey, ABC Entertainment president, said in a statement.
Many celebrities, including Shonda Rhimes, Ellen Pompeo, Viola Davis, Roseanne co-star Sara Gilbert, and even Barr’s ex-husband Tom Arnold, called the comedian’s statements “racist,” “bullying,” and “abhorrent.”
Barr apologized for her words, later blaming the sleep drug Ambien for her actions in a since-deleted tweet. Jarrett called the incident a “teaching moment” that could be used to combat racism.
Boteach declined to comment on the podcast when reached by the Hollywood Reporter. He would not say when, or even whether, he will be posting the interview.
Yahoo also reached out to Boteach and will update with any comment from the rabbi.
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
Roseanne Barr and the New, Dumb Conspiracy Theory We Have to Hear About Now
People are praising ABC President Channing Dungey for canceling Roseanne — but who is she?
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.
