Roseanne Barr: Best Roast Ever

Image by Getty Images

By Blair Thornburgh July 30, 2012

Comedy Central’s got a hell of a spitfire for its next roast-ee. Roseanne Barr, comedienne, erstwhile Green party presidential candidate and self-proclaimed “fat old Jew” is next on the docket for the merciless mockery-fest, which will air August 12.

Grade-A roasters like Sharon Stone and the sharp-tongued Carrie Fisher will be on hand to rip into Roseanne, with Katey Segal, Seth Green, and a slew of other comedians rounding out the ranks of riffers. But despite the considerable comedic talent on hand, poking fun at the 59-year-old Barr seems to be more of a “this stuff writes itself” situation: besides her ill-fated presidential bid, she tried (unsuccessfully) to run a macadamia nut farm in Hawaii last year for a reality show, and most recently ticked off Chick-Fil-A by redubbing them “chickens4christ,” among other less savory nicknames.

And that’s just when she’s more-or-less unprovoked. Revving her up to roast should prove to be about as safe as playing with fire. As Glee actress Jane Lynch said of her role as roastmaster: “I’ve long fantasized of ripping Roseanne Barr a new one. But because I don’t have the cajones to say anything offensive to her face, I will be hosting the proceedings.”

For her part, Roseanne had no sympathy for those about to scorch and scathe: “All I can say is good luck finding anything about me to make fun of… I mean, I’ve never made a mistake or offended anyone in my life!”

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO