Why did Disney take such a big gamble on 'Roseanne'? Blame the uncertain TV market
NEW YORK - For a few months, Roseanne Barr put ABC back on top of the television world.
The stunning success of her rebooted sitcom "Roseanne" - reaching nearly 22 million viewers with its debut - reminded the industry of its ability to deliver mass audiences and drive the country's cultural conversation.
On Tuesday, the turnaround for the Walt Disney Co. unit quickly became one of the most humiliating moments in its history as the top-rated "Roseanne" was canceled following her racist tweet about former Obama administration official Valerie Jarrett. Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger called Jarrett to apologize for the slur.
Depending on a provocative and often unpredictable star such as Barr - who had the benefit of mass success in
