'Roseanne' revival stirs debate among comedians Silverman, Nanjiani, Eichner

Bill Keveney | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Trump calls Roseanne after her show is a ratings winner It was the blockbuster return seen on 18.2 million screens across the country, and following the hit premiere of “Roseanne,” President Trump called to congratulate its star. Nathan Rousseau Smith has her reaction.

Sarah Silverman's praise for this week's premiere of Roseanne ignited a spirited debate Thursday about art, artists and politics with her own comedic colleagues, including Kumail Nanjiani and Billy Eichner.

The debate was civilized and enlightened, especially in the take-no-prisoners world of social-media argument.

Roseanne, which attracted a whopping 18.2 million viewers in its return to ABC after a 21-year absence, is becoming a political lightning rod because of star Roseanne Barr's support for President Trump and controversial tweets and comments.

Silverman, host of Hulu's I Love You, America, started things off by tweeting she "loved" Roseanne's premiere. "That familiar feeling of the old but (within) comedy & content so totally of this moment like the angst (with) close families over politics."

She then appeared to make a larger comment about art and politics: "Hope y'all let go of needing art 2 reflect/express only what u yourself feel. That's not what art's 4."

watched @RoseanneOnABC last night & loved it. That familiar feeling of the old but w comedy & content so totally of this moment like the angst w/in close families over politics. Hope y’all let go of needing art 2 reflect/express only what u yourself feel. That’s not what art’s 4 — Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) March 29, 2018

That prompted a reply from Nanjiani, star of HBO's Silicon Valley and an Oscar writing nominee for The Big Sick.

"Sarah, you know I love you & respect you. I believe who can bring themselves to watch what art is a subjective thing. I can't bring myself to watch a person who mocks teens whose friends were murdered, who traffics in conspiracy theories that damage our world & reality," he responded, referring to a since-deleted Barr tweet saying "NAZI SALUTE" that was apparently in response to a (disproved) conspiracy theory that suggested a Parkland, Fla., student had given that salute at the March for Our Lives rally Saturday.

Sarah, you know I love you & respect you. I believe who can bring themselves to watch what art is a subjective thing. I can’t bring myself to watch a person who mocks teens whose friends were murdered, who traffics in conspiracy theories that damage our world & reality. — Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) March 29, 2018

He continued, explaining that Barr's off-screen behavior prevents him from watching her TV show: "I know that's not her character on the show. But I can't watch her playing any character. She says David Hogg did the Nazi salute. That's not political disagreement. It's wrong."

I know that’s not her character on the show. But I can’t watch her playing any character. She says David Hogg did the Nazi salute. That’s not political disagreement. It’s wrong. So, I understand your point, but don’t judge ppl for not being able to bring themselves to watch her. — Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) March 29, 2018

In another tweet, Nanjiani accepted that Silverman could watch and love Roseanne. "I really really do. But I can't do it, and it's not a matter of me needing to only watch stuff that reflects my point of view."

And, to be clear, I 100% understand you watching the show & loving the show. I really really do. But I can’t do it, and it’s not a matter of me needing to only watch stuff that reflects my point of view. — Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) March 29, 2018

Comedian Billy Eichner, star of Billy on the Street and Difficult People, joined in the debate, tweeting in response that he won't watch.

"She's dangerous and demented and the success of the show will only help embolden her, increase and normalize her platform," he tweeted. "I loved the show as a kid but plenty of other shows to watch now."

Silverman later responded to Nanjiani: "I'm judging? Look - I muted her years ago. But I think the show could b good is all. It's made by lots of people & shows the grandparents (resisting)/then learning/then accepting stuff (that's) unfamiliar and therefore scary 2 them."