Television Writer Describes His Time Working With Roseanne Barr As Malice

LOADINGERROR LOADINGTelevision writer and producer Chuck Lorre is reflecting on his less-than-positive experience working with Roseanne Barr on early seasons of the sitcom “Roseanne.” Chatting with actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson on Tuesday’s episode of the “Dinner’s on Me” podcast, Lorre described his time with Barr as “malice,” which he partly blamed on her years on the stand-up circuit.Advertisement “Roseanne hated that there were writers, fundamentally hated that other people wrote words that she would say,” he explained.

“She was a stand-up comedian.She made herself a superstar based on her words, her writing.

Then transition to a television show where [you] can’t do it alone.It’s impossible.”He went on to note: “That transition was not going to happen, so there was this built-in animosity between Rosie and the writing staff, any writing staff ...

the premise of other people putting words in a stand-up comedian’s mouth is fundamentally flawed.”“Roseanne” aired on ABC from 1988 to 1997.Lorre, a New York native, joined the show’s writing team for two seasons, starting in 1990.

Advertisement Roseanne Barr, center, and the cast of “Roseanne” in 1989.ABC Photo Archives via Getty ImagesAfter departing “Roseanne,” Lorre created his first sitcom, “Frannie’s Turn,” which was canceled before its premiere season aired in full.

His next project, “Grace Under Fire,” turned out to be a smash, and he went on to create or co-create several iconic series, including “The Big Bang Theory.” In 2011, Barr took credit for having “fired” Lorre, claiming in a since-deleted blog post that his lines “could choke a fucking horse, and render any actor who recites them stone cold soul dead,” according to Deadline.Advertisement The following year, Lorre described the behind-the-scenes environment of “Roseanne” as “very volatile,” noting, “You were told the rules as you went alon...