Michael Fishman is responding to former "Roseanne" costar Roseanne Barr after she called him a "brainwashed bigot" during a profanity-laced podcast appearance.
Fishman, who played Barr's onscreen son D.J. Conner, addressed the comedian's remarks in an Instagram video Thursday, Sept. 24, rejecting what he described as "obvious lies and name-calling."
"I don't need to address obvious lies or name calling. I choose to live, work, create, and share love," Fishman wrote in the post's caption. "Trust in the truth. Walk with integrity."
In the video, Fishman said Barr had confirmed that he contacted her after the social media controversy that led ABC to cancel its "Roseanne" revival in 2018.
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"I gave you respect and asked for clarity," Fishman said. "I never turned my back, but I actually showed you compassion even though I vehemently disagreed with you."
The dispute traces back to May 2018, when Barr posted a racist message about Valerie Jarrett, a Black former senior adviser to President Barack Obama. The since-deleted post compared Jarrett to the Muslim Brotherhood and "Planet of the Apes."
Fishman said Barr's recent comments offered "a glimpse into the darker side" of his childhood and suggested he could eventually share a more complete account of his experience growing up on the sitcom. He also asked Barr for "a retraction or an apology."
"I don't have to take the hook of the fight just because people lash out," Fishman said, adding that he has established "healthy boundaries" with his former costar.
Roseanne Barr calls Michael Fishman 'brainwashed bigot'
Barr criticized Fishman during an appearance on the "Can't Be Censored" podcast, where she was asked about his defense of ABC's decision to cancel the "Roseanne" revival.
Barr accused Fishman of failing to understand her explanation for the 2018 post that prompted the show's cancellation.
"He hasn't even taken the time to listen to what I say because he's a bigot," Barr said. "And he's a brainwashed bigot."
Barr also called Fishman an "ignoramus" and a "worm," and alleged she was the reason he had been included in the "Roseanne" revival.
Why was 'Roseanne' canceled?
ABC canceled the highly rated revival within hours of Barr's social media post. Barr apologized at the time, calling the post a "bad joke" about Jarrett's politics and appearance, but has continued to dispute characterizations of the message as racist.
Channing Dungey, ABC Entertainment's president at the time, issued a statement to USA TODAY denouncing Barr's original tweet.
"Roseanne's Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values, and we have decided to cancel her show," Dungey's statement said.
Fishman addressed the controversy again last month after an Instagram user blamed the show's cancellation on "woke" culture. He said Barr's post caused "damage and dehumanizing," arguing that "there was no joke" and the revival was "rightfully canceled."
"The Conners" debuted without Barr in October 2018 and ran for seven seasons before ending in 2025. Fishman appeared in its first four seasons before announcing in 2022 that he had been told he would not return for Season 5.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michael Fishman responds after Roseanne Barr calls him 'brainwashed bigot'
