Hulu yanks ‘Roseanne,’ keeps ‘Seinfeld,’ despite similarly racist remarks from cast member

Hulu has yanked “Roseanne” from its platform, but continues to stream other shows that feature people who have made racist remarks.

A Hulu spokesperson told the Hollywood Reporter that reruns of the popular sitcom would no longer be available to stream, writing, “We support ABC’s decision and are removing the show from Hulu.”

Michael Richards, who portrayed Cosmo Kramer on “Seinfeld,” screamed the N-word several times at a black man who was heckling him at a stand-up comedy routine in 2006.

Hulu offers all nine seasons of “Seinfeld.”

Hulu did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Washington Times.

Walt Disney Co. owns a 30 percent share in Hulu and is poised to become the majority owner after announcing it would acquire 21st Century Fox.

ABC, which is also owned by Disney, canceled “Roseanne” Tuesday after the show’s star, Roseanne Barr, said former Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett, an African American woman who was born in Iran, looks like the “muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby.”

Ms. Barr later apologized for the tweet and said she had been taking the sleep medication Ambien.

Pulling “Roseanne” raises questions about whether Hulu will purge its platform of other television shows and movies featuring objectionable actors and actresses.

The question is especially relevant in the wake of the #MeToo movement, during which dozens of people in the entertainment industry have been accused of sexual misconduct.

James Franco starred in and produced the Hulu miniseries “11.22.63.” He was later accused by five women of sexually exploitative behavior. “11.22.63” is still streaming on Hulu.

Hulu also offers two seasons of “Steven Seagal: Lawman.” Mr. Seagal was accused by two women of rape, which he denies.

Other actors who have used racial epithets include Tim Allen, who said the N-word in a 2013 interview, arguing he should be able to use the slur as long as his intent is not to be racist. He later apologized.

Hulu offers six seasons of “Last Man Standing” and eight seasons of “Home Improvement.”

Hulu also continues to stream NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” on which Ms. Barr was a celebrity judge for two seasons. The show’s inaugural host was comedian Jay Mohr, who used the N-word several times in a 2007 Twitter rant about the rapper Boosie Badazz.