For nearly eight years, Michael Fishman has largely watched from the sidelines as fans continued debating why “Roseanne” disappeared from ABC so abruptly. Now, the former child star says he has had enough.

After encountering another social media comment claiming Roseanne Barr was “backstabbed” and unfairly targeted over the tweet that ended the wildly successful revival, Fishman delivered an emotional response, insisting the story some fans continue telling about the cancellation simply is not true.

Fishman addressed the controversy directly in an Instagram Reel after highlighting a comment arguing that Roseanne Barr merely made the kind of edgy joke comedians had long been allowed to make.

The commenter blamed the cancellation on changing cultural attitudes and suggested Barr had been betrayed despite making provocative jokes throughout her career.

Fishman strongly disagreed. “I get this every day. I get these kinds of ignorant and inaccurate comments daily,” the 44-year-old said, explaining that he had mostly avoided responding for years.

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“For over eight years, I’ve been dealing with it quietly,” he continued. “After eight years, turning the other cheek really isn’t helping.”

Fishman said people were “perpetuating a lie” and using a “political smokescreen to justify the indefensible.” His comments directly challenge the argument that ABC’s decision was primarily about politics or shifting standards surrounding comedy.

‘Roseanne’ Star Says The Show Was ‘Rightfully Canceled’

The controversy dates back to May 2018, when Roseanne Barr posted a since-deleted tweet comparing former Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett to the offspring of the Muslim Brotherhood and “Planet of the Apes.”

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ABC responded within hours. Then-ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey called the tweet “abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values” before announcing that “Roseanne” had been canceled despite the revival’s enormous ratings success.

Fishman now says the network made the correct decision. “Dehumanizing people is never a joke,” he said in his video, arguing that comedians may have freedom to tackle dark subjects but that freedom does not erase responsibility or consequences.

“The brilliant comedians help us laugh at the darkest, darkest topics,” Fishman continued. “Sadly, in this case, there was no joke.”

He then delivered his clearest verdict, saying, “The show was rightfully canceled.”

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Fishman also pushed back against the idea that Barr was the person who had been “backstabbed,” arguing instead that the victims were those targeted by the remarks and the people whose careers became collateral damage when the series disappeared.

Fishman’s Position Has Barely Changed Since The Original Fallout

Although his latest remarks are much more forceful, Michael Fishman’s underlying position is not new.

On the day ABC canceled “Roseanne” in 2018, the actor publicly condemned Roseanne Barr’s statements as “reprehensible and intolerable,” while stressing that the views of one cast member did not represent everyone involved in the series.

Fishman said at the time that he was devastated for the cast, crew, writers and production staff who lost their jobs after pouring themselves into a show he believed had championed inclusivity.

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Barr responded angrily. She accused Fishman of throwing her “under the bus,” while insisting that she had created the platform that allowed the sitcom to tell inclusive stories.

Fishman’s decision to reiterate the same basic stance eight years later therefore represents less of a reversal than a renewed defense of a position he has held since the controversy began.

That history also adds context to why Fishman now appears exhausted by fans continuing to challenge him over what happened.

Michael Fishman Says He Still Loves Roseanne Barr

Despite his uncompromising criticism, Fishman made another point clear. His condemnation of Barr’s actions does not mean he has stopped caring about the woman who played his television mother for much of his life.

“Good people make mistakes,” he acknowledged.

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Fishman said he loves “the one who made this mistake” and always will, adding that he continues to have “compassion and love” for Barr.

Barr herself initially apologized for the Jarrett tweet, telling Rabbi Shmuley Boteach in 2018 that she “horribly” regretted what she had done and was prepared to accept the consequences. She also said she had made herself a “hate magnet.”

However, Barr subsequently offered several explanations for what happened, including saying she had taken Ambien and claiming she did not know Jarrett was Black. She has continued revisiting the firing years after the controversy.

‘The Conners’ Ultimately Outlived The ‘Roseanne’ Revival

The cancellation did not ultimately end the Conner family’s television story.

ABC reworked the project into “The Conners,” which continued without Barr and eventually ran for seven seasons before concluding in April 2025.

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The spinoff killed off Roseanne Conner and centered the remaining family members, including John Goodman’s Dan, Sara Gilbert’s Darlene and Lecy Goranson’s Becky.

Fishman remained part of the franchise as D.J. Conner through four seasons of “The Conners” before revealing in 2022 that he had been told he would not return for Season 5. He later said he held no resentment over being absent from the show’s eventual series finale.

That makes his continued defense of the original cancellation notable. Fishman himself lost a long-running television home twice, first when “Roseanne” collapsed and later when “The Conners” moved forward without him.

Yet eight years after the original controversy, he still insists ABC’s decision was justified.

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Kaia Gerber is opening up about her experience with “disordered eating” and commentary about her body.

In an interview with Vogue published on Tuesday, August 11, the Shards actress said that she is constantly compared to her mom, supermodel Cindy Crawford, and admitted she is “jealous” of her mom’s body.

“We’re clearly in one of those cycles right now where people are very, very, very thin,” Gerber, 24, said. “As someone who’s been thin most of my life, I’ve always been compared against my mom — like, ‘What’s wrong with Kaia?’ I’m so jealous of my mom’s body. I would have loved to be born with boobs and a butt.”

“People have always commented on my body, which is hard because I’m not always ready to comment on my own body, you know?” Gerber continued. “I’ve had disordered eating in my life. People are like, ‘You look terrible,’ and it doesn’t exactly make you go, ‘Oh, good. Let me get over this mental illness then!’ Negativity has never saved someone’s life.”

Gerber previously commented on the comparisons between her and Crawford, 60, admitting that she doesn’t think they look alike.

“In all seriousness, it’s an honor when people tell me I look like my mom,” she told Yahoo Entertainment earlier this month. “I wish I did. I think even on my best days, I’m not even close.”

“I think she’s just the most beautiful woman inside and out,” Gerber said of her mother. “And so if there’s any way that I remind anyone of her, it’s just, like, the largest compliment.”

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In her Vogue interview, Gerber, who Crawford shares with husband Rande Gerber, also opened up about her relationship with fellow actor Lewis Pullman, the son of Bill Pullman. According to the outlet, she described it as the “healthiest and most adult relationship of her life.”

Related: Kaia Gerber Admits She Doesn’t Think Mom Cindy Crawford Is ‘Cool’

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Cindy Crawford may be a supermodel and a ‘90s icon, but to daughter Kaia Gerber, she’s just mom. “When you were younger, did you think, ‘Oh my mom is so cool,’” host Kyle MacLachlan asked Gerber, 24, in Us Weekly’s exclusive teaser clip of the Thursday, September 18, debut episode of the “What Are We […]

“There are so few things you get to protect as a famous person, and being defined by who you date when you’re 18 is something I find challenging,” she said. “I think I’ve been labeled in ways that are quite misogynistic: serial dater, slut, greedy. My mom is always like, ‘Just don’t make the same mistake twice.’ And I’m pretty good at not. I think the ultimate goal is that your relationship doesn’t change you, that you’re not code-switching between relationship, friendship, professional life. I would love to always feel like me, and in this relationship I’m having the pleasure of doing that.”

If you or someone you know struggles with an eating disorder, visit the National Eating Disorders (NEDA) website or call their hotline at (800) 931-2237 to get help. 

Brandy is the new singer of the reboot theme song of ‘A Different World,’ and fans are excited after seeing her stellar performance.

RELATED: Sibling Love! Brandy And Ray J’s Reunion Has Fans In Their Feels (VIDEO)

New Theme Song Singer For ‘A Different World’ Reboot Is Brandy

Brandy is the new theme song singer for the reboot of ‘A Different World,’ and she wasn’t playin’ in new video footage shared by Netflix on Tuesday, August 11.

‘The Cosby Show’ spin-off premiered in 1987 on NBC and aired for six seasons. The show featured Denise Huxtable, played by Lisa Bonet, as she went off to college. The cast also included Dawnn Lewis, Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Cree Summer, Charnele Brown, Marisa Tomei, and Loretta Devine.

The popular show is important to the culture because it featured students attending a fictional Historically Black College or University, Hillman College. Brandy said she was a fan of ‘A Different World’ and remembers how the theme song made her feel.

“Singing this iconic theme song for A Different World means everything to me,” she told the press. “It was one of those shows that I had to watch every time it came on. I remember the song and how it made me feel.” 

Brandy isn’t the only one in her feelings. After fans saw her perform the theme song on TSR’s Instagram page, they were shook as they left remarks in the comment section. Furthermore, Roomies co-signed the performance.

User @ohheytaaay replied, “SANG Brandy ! ❤️❤️❤️❤️.”

@tezlynfigaro added, “The original HBCU theme lets go!!!!”

@glamstylistxoxo wrote, “Chilllllllsssss 😭 I was not prepared 😩🔥🔥🔥🔥.”

‘A Different World’ Theme Song Was Performed By Phoebe Snow Season 1

Actress Dawnn Lewis co-wrote the original theme song to ‘A Different World,’ and she told Denny Directo from Entertainment Tonight that she was originally hired to sing it. Additionally, Lewis was cast as Jaleesa on the show. Subsequently, producers hired another singer to perform the them song, Phoebe Snow.

“So, I wrote the theme song, booked the acting gig, and they had no idea they’d hired the same person until after they had hired me for both jobs,” she recalled.

Not only that, Lewis also shared a widely unknown fact about the theme song. As it happens, ‘Let’s Stay Together’ singer Al Green also sang a version of the theme song. Furthermore, Lewis says she has proof, chile!

“The next person to sing it was Al Green in the recording studio.” she revealed. “I have the  tape.”

Aretha Franklin Also Sang The Theme Song

Aretha Franklin sang the theme song for ‘A Different World’ for Season 2, and some fans consider it the best version of the song. In addition, Boys II Men also performed the theme song.

As the reboot gets underway, Hardison’s words about the importance of the show back in 2017 seem poetic.

“We’d never seen black kids in college on television,” he said, per NBC News. “Here comes this show and if it caught you at 14 years old it took you through high school and propelled you into college and it created a lot of successful, education-first minded people who can’t let go who know what it was like for them and what it did for them and they want it back. They want it back for their kids and this new generation.”

‘A Different World’ will premiere on Netflix on September 24.

RELATED: Really Her? Brandy’s Random Encounter Turns Hilarious After Men Mistake Her For An Impersonator (VIDEO)

Jeffrey Manke’s cousin wrote a letter to the court one day after he and his two daughters were found dead in his Winneconne, Wisconsin, home, speculating that his divorce from ex-wife Lindsay Lewandowski “drove him insane.”

“My cousin Jeff Manke was found dead + his (2) daughters (yesterday),” Jolene Manke wrote in the letter dated Tuesday, August 4, which was obtained by Us. “I can’t bear the pain. I assume his divorce drove him insane or police involvement.”

As Us previously reported, Jeffrey, 57, and his two daughters, Jaelyn Manke and Lenora Manke, were found dead at his home just hours after he finalized his divorce from their mother.

Lewandowski, 38, filed for divorce in 2024, and the former couple shared joint custody as they battled it out in court over a permanent custody arrangement.

Related: Amanda Karolkiewicz’s Family Shares Tribute After She Died in a Murder-Suicide

Amanda “Mandy” Karolkiewicz’s family paid tribute to their late family member in a joint statement after she and her six children were killed by her husband, Kristopher Karolkiewicz, in an apparent murder-suicide. The family’s GoFundMe page explained that the fundraiser was intended to help Mandy’s mother, Becky Lawwill and her stepfather, Steve Lawwill, with the […]

Us also viewed an affidavit from Jeffrey from March 26, 2025, in which he detailed troubles he had with Jaelyn, 16. He said that his eldest child was struggling with the divorce and that she started going to counseling.

Jeffrey went on to claim that Lewandowski continuously exposed their daughters to her new partner, whom he believed exhibited threatening behavior after incidents at the children’s taekwondo class and at his church. “He was asked by the instructor why they broke boards, and he made a comment about breaking heads and looked at me,” Jeffrey claimed.

Another issue Jeffrey discussed in the affidavit was that Jaelyn and Lewandowski’s significant other were “texting and or calling each other repeatedly,” which he felt was not “appropriate” and was “interfering with my relationship with my minor child.“

Jeffrey also claimed that he believed one of his children had been encouraged to spy on him after Lewandowski expressed her concerns about his alcohol consumption.

“I was drinking a 7-Up, and I put olives in it with no liquor. When I arrived at the dance to pick up my child, the police said I had an anonymous report that I was drunk driving and I was approached by three officers. I talked to the officers and offered to take a breathalyzer, but they said they were convinced I was not drinking,” he said. “I believe she was encouraged to report that to the police.”

After claiming that Lewandowski made threats including that “the harassment will stop once you give up your parental rights to my daughters,” he argued that their kids “should not be exposed to significant others.”

“I believe it is in the best interest for the minor children for the court to order that neither party can expose the minor children to a significant other during the period of pending divorce during their periods of placement and act their activities,” he said.

Jeffrey then claimed that Jaelyn “admitted she counted the amount of times [he] went into [his] bedroom” during therapy. “Again, I am suspicious, where this behavior is coming from. I need a no significant other order to bring normalcy to their situation,” he said.

Lewandowski responded to Jeffrey’s complaints in her own affidavit the following month, refuting his claims regarding her significant other: “The close bonds and connections have grown naturally overtime [sic] and are not some sudden occurrence as [Jeffrey] may suggest,” adding that she and her boyfriend are both involved in the community and attend the same church and tae kwon do classes.

Related: 911 Call Reveals Karolkiewicz Home Was ‘Full of Smoke’ After Murder-Suicide

Amanda “Mandy” Karolkiewicz and Kristopher Karolkiewicz‘s home was “full of smoke” after he killed her and their six children in an apparent murder-suicide, according to a 911 dispatch call from the incident. Police said that they believe Kristopher, 47, fatally shot Mandy, 39, and their six kids before he set their home in Grand Haven […]

“At no point in time leading up to the divorce did [Jeffrey] claim that our children should have no contact with him”

Lewandowski said her significant other is “certainly not dangerous” and is actively involved in their church, teaching classes at Bible school and working with youth programs.

She claimed that his allegations are “indicative of his inability to be accountable for his own actions. Rather than try to meaningfully mend his relationship with his children, [he] lashes out and blames the third party for why his relationship with his children is on the rocks.”

Lewandowski also discussed his struggles with substance abuse and claimed he would drink alcohol under the influence of prescription pain pills. She went on to allege that Jeffrey would store liquor in their bedroom and would mix his drinks there during their marriage.

She said that his drinking affected the whole family and that his “intoxication provides their kids with a great deal of anxiety.”

While Lewandowski confirmed that Jeffrey was cleared by police when they were tipped off that he was allegedly driving under the influence, she said that bodycam footage indicated that her daughter told police that “she is uncomfortable with that idea (of going home with her father) because he is really mean to her.”

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Related: Kristopher Karolkiewicz Likely Killed His Wife Amanda Before Their Kids

Kristopher Karolkiewicz likely killed his wife, Amanda “Mandy” Karolkiewicz, before he fatally shot their six children in an apparent murder-suicide. Death certificates obtained by News 8 revealed that Kristopher, 47, Mandy, 39, and their six kids were found dead after they were shot in the head at their home in Grand Haven, Michigan. Ottawa Sheriff’s […]

“She reports that she would be more comfortable having mom drive her home,” Lewandowski said of her daughter. “An officer asks Jaylen if her relationship with dad is not good right now, and our daughter responds that it never has been.”

While Jaelyn, Lenora, 11, and Jeffrey’s causes of death have not yet been confirmed, Lewandowski took to Facebook to claim that her kids felt “unsafe” with him before they died.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.