You know what they say, when you do clownery....

[rogueslayer452]

++ For those few who aren't aware of the explosive news, the Roseanne revival was cancelled yesterday after its star made a racist tweet, which then started a rapid chain of events of everyone and everything no longer supporting the actress and the show, new and old, completely disappearing from television schedules. It started off as the highest rated series premieres which granted an immediate renewal and ended up becoming quickly cancelled after a mindless act of stupidity. All I can say is, good riddance. As someone who enjoyed the original series (the later seasons not so much, though), this revival was completely unnecessary from the very start, especially the more I read about the changes made which contradicted a lot about the original and the messages made there, the less inclined I was to even bother checking it out.

This is probably one of the best examples why not all revivals/reboots are always needed or necessary, and why relying entirely on nostalgia will often lead to disappointment.

++ Remember last year when Photobucket done fucked up with their abrupt policy change out of nowhere? Apparently now everything has been restored underneath new management. Granted, I think it's too little, too late because people were rightfully pissed off at the abrupt horrible business decision and have since moved onto other free image-hosting platforms. However, all images that were broken from that decision have been restored, which is definitely good since many sites were affected. I doubt people will go back to PB, though, since even with this statement it has gone relatively unnoticed by most since I don't think many care anymore. I'm happy that images have since been restored, but that's the only good thing about this.

++ I've been following what has been referred to as Cockygate for a while now. For those who don't know, here is a basic rundown of everything happening with it to date. The shorthand version, essentially an author is trying to trademark and claim the word "cocky" as her own, defending it as trying to protect her "brand", and is going after various romance authors demanding them to take away the word from their titles/descriptions/etc or else she'll sue them. With her level of unbelievable arrogance and entitlement, it has since escalated into something much bigger than it needs to be, as her latest antics has her wanting to take this non-issue to court. This entire situation is both ridiculously entertaining akin to old school fandom wanks, but is also equally frustrating especially for the authors unfortunately caught in the middle of this nonsense. Although I have to admit, the way the authors are uniting together to fight against this is remarkable (including creating a limited book that is basically a middle finger to the entire situation), even though this isn't a fight that they needed to be having anyway. This entire kerfuffle is still ongoing, so I'll be keeping my eye on how things progress.

Comments

[carlyinrome.livejournal.com]

Cockygate is so intriguing. It's ridiculous and slightly sordid and I love it.

[icecoldrain.livejournal.com]

The thing that gets me the most about the news about Rosanne is the number of people who knew how she was acting like it was brand new info. I was like, Y'ALL BEEN KNEW!!!! That said, I went to her twitter for the first time in my life and wanted to rage puke all over her. I knew she was racist trash for years but seeing her twitter in action was awful.

Is that what photobucket was e-mailing everyone about? I didn't even open it and thought it was them trying to get me to pay to use them again since they periodically send (or I guess sent since things are changing again) out e-mails with deals and I was like, bye.

Man I've been following Cockygate too! Also, I didn't realize that the book is only available for a limited time! I need to jump on that. Man I reading all the stuff about it when Cockygate first started was a wild ride of inaneness (I know this isn't really a word but... I'm making it a word today lol). I still can't believe it even happened in the first place and that she even tried having people whose books have been around before any of hers change the names if "cocky" was in the title. I can't.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

The thing that gets me the most about the news about Rosanne is the number of people who knew how she was acting like it was brand new info.

Exactly, especially since she's made it no secret that this is how she's been for the last several years. Acting so "shocked" about her latest antics isn't gonna fly. I mean, I knew from the moment this revival was announced that this was gonna be a trainwreck.

Is that what photobucket was e-mailing everyone about?

Yeah, I suppose it is. I don't think I received that message yet, but I guess they're trying to reach out to those still signed up since aside from a couple of places I haven't seen any kind of huge announcement from sites, unlike the previous incident last year where they broke the Internet and it was being reported everywhere.

I still can't believe it even happened in the first place and that she even tried having people whose books have been around before any of hers change the names if "cocky" was in the title. I can't.

My favorite thing is that she tries to claim it's to protect her "brand" or whatever, and after authors are fighting back she is claiming that they're bullying her, despite the fact that she was the one who harassed them first. Then she did a livestream crying victim and acting like this is a grand crusade that she's doing, and just recently she insulted the readers of the romance genre. Like, what even is happening with this woman? IDGI, and as much as it is entertaining I do feel horrible for the authors caught in the crossfire.

[omgpeyton.livejournal.com]

I agree with everything you said about Roseanne. I enjoyed the old series too, hated the ending and.. a lot of the later seasons. It just wasn't needed. And it's not a surprise she said something this awful, as she has in the past.

Whaaaat? I seriously JUST deleted my broken themes maybe a month ago. I probably won't go through the trouble of uploading them again, thanks for that photobucket.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I feel bad for all the other authors who have to deal with this, but I have to admit from an outsider's perspective it's just so....oddly fascinating watching it all unfold, especially with how far it's gotten, and it makes you wonder how far this woman is willing to go with this.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Yeah, which is why I don't believe those who act so surprised by her outburst. This is how she's been for a long time now, so it was only a matter of time before she ended up on yet another offensive rant. It's not the first and definitely won't be the last, as she's proven very recently even after she claimed to leave Twitter. I'm glad that people are dragging her for this though, and that ABC took immediate action. She deserves it, tbh.

The fact that Photobucket too this long to realize that, oh yeah, they done screwed up, is not helping their case since most people definitely left their site since last year. I know that it's supposedly under new management, but the damage has already been done.

[jediknightmuse.livejournal.com]

I watched maybe the first four or five episodes of the new season of Roseanne. I ended up missing the beginning of one episode and didn't have a DVR and it ended up being a good thing, considering it involved Roseanne freaking out and being scared because her neighbors could possibly be Muslim terrorists.

Then she sent out that tweet yesterday and I'm like -eye roll- it's her own damn fault. But what sucks is that it's not just her that lost a job, and it's not like they're writing her out of the show (which, I guess they're considering doing something along the lines of that, but it's tricky because Roseanne is the one who came up with the character (along with someone else), and she would still be getting money from it because of being the creator). So it "punishes" her for her actions by taking her job away, but she'll still get royalties because of the character belonging to her so it doesn't fully "punish" her) and the other cast members still get to have a job, they're ALL out of a job, although the girl who plays the granddaughter called her manager to tell her she was quitting the show after the tweet got sent out and then it turned out the show had been canceled.

I liked the overall story they seemed to have come up with for this season, but it felt very different from the original show...probably because the politics and Roseanne's CLEAR pro-Trump beliefs were REALLY sinking through into the show, and that was never anything that happened on the original show, at least not to this extent.

Don't get me started on Photobucket. I mean...yay for it being brought back? But yeah, too little, too late. Why am I going to rush into using a site that already lost my trust by taking away the free ability to use it the way it was intended? Although right now I use postimages.org and for some reason my images seem to be broken, because yet again the images for my LJ's layout are gone...so I need to fix that, but postimages is apparently not much better (though they're not suddenly charging people, either).

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

It's just so bizarre how she actually thinks this will work in her favor. It's like she got really offended when something didn't go her way and is throwing a massive temper tantrum, believing that she was personally wronged and trying anything and everything to prove her point. When in reality, she's just super pathetic and delusional. She practically shot herself in the foot with anything to do with a career, over something so ridiculous.

Like, I'm fascinating by the dramas that come out from the book publishing industry in general, and this recent one is just so wild.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I remember hearing a blurb about that episode, and along with another episode where she thinks any parent who doesn't spank their children are losers with no backbone despite the fact that in the original series they dedicated an entire episode on how Roseanne despises spanking and was completely horrified by her actions when she impulsively spanked DJ because she remembers being beaten by her own father. It felt like the revival tried to completely rewrite and contradict the important moments of the original series and why some of those episodes were so meaningful.

I get that she owns the character and everything, but rewriting the character just to fit her current beliefs/ideologies/political stance, and knowing that it would create controversy too let's not kid ourselves on that one, is just so disrespectful to the legacy of the character and the original show as a whole.

As for Photobucket, I completely agree. I do like that I'm able to visit icon/graphic communities now and find icons that were previously broken, but I don't think anyone is gonna be fooled to want to actually use it again after what they tried to pull, new management or not.

[icecoldrain.livejournal.com]

Yessss. She's been like this and out in the open for all to see for some time. I can just imagine how awful she is in person because she's def very vocal about her racist and prejudiced beliefs in the public eye for some time.

after authors are fighting back she is claiming that they're bullying her, despite the fact that she was the one who harassed them first.
Exactly! She started the fire and now she can't handle the heat. She obviously thought no one would fight back but she really went all out to piss everyone and their mama back. I love seeing the book community uniting to face off with her. I feel bad for the authors she targeted, especially the ones who are smaller authors. It all makes me want to compile a list of all the authors she went after so I can slowly buy their books as I can afford them.

[awakenyourfaith.livejournal.com]

I've willfully (and selfishly) ignored Roseanne's racist tweets over the years. I wasn't on Twitter that much until a few years ago, but my absence doesn't excuse my ignorance. I didn't want my memory of the woman who brought to me and my family so much joy and laughter to be badly tarnished by her current state, by her current racism and bigotry. Maybe it was because I so often watched that show with my mom. At the time we saw ourselves in the characters, in their struggles, in their hope for the future, in their faith in each other and their fellow man (as well as the cynicism). I haven't watched the show since my mom died, and, once I heard of Roseanne's weird, racist behavior in the press, I refused to watch the reboot. One look at her Twitter feed curdled my insides to the core. The weird thing is that her Twitter feed reflects so many regular folks out there, so many racist bigots whose behavior goes unchecked. Maybe their day will come. I don't know. I refuse to put too much stock in that hypothesis.

[little-huntress.livejournal.com]

I've never watched Roseanne, and I've never felt the urge to do so, I don't know how beloved the show was. I mostly know her because the headlines she's made thanks to her racist outburst, when I read the news I laughed, she deserved it tbh. I never got why ABC brought back the show knowing full well how she is. Not every show should be revived for nostalgia's sake.

I only noticed yesterday that my graphics were back, but I'm not returning to Photobucket, the damage is done.

I've also been following Cockygate, it's awful for those involved, but it's fascinating to watch. I can't understand how she thought this was going to end well for her. She was sending cease and desist letters to other authors, and bullying them into changing their titles, because she thinks everyone out there is copying her, and now she's playing the victim. I just don't get it.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_profiterole_/]

I hadn't heard about Photobucket. It's good to know that old archives will work again. Thanks for the info.

[author-by-night.livejournal.com]

On a slightly unrelated note ( I'm NOT missing the point that it was a racist tweet), this is why I think public figures and professionals should be way, way more careful about what they say on social media. Honestly, I think that's a good rule in general, no matter who you are or how many followers you have. I think people forget that they're not talking to specific people when they post things. It's not "only" Mary Sue and Gary Stu who will read, no matter what. It's not a personal conversation. It's a platform for multiple people to engage and respond, so you'd better only say what you want ALL of them to engage in and respond to.

And in this case, it also screwed over the rest of the cast and crew. That's not fair either.

More on point, yeah, good riddance is right. I was never even into the original show. I also think it's awful that people still consider those things acceptable. Unsurprising, but awful.

[amyofaquitaine.livejournal.com]

Cockygate has been a TRIP. (There have been so many book world scandals in the past year, it's insane.) I feel so bad for the authors this affects and the woman who trademarked it is so clueless saying it's an easy change for those authors when it's not at all + it's hella expensive. I read Jenny Trout's site and she posted last week about an author who is possibly in the process of trademarking the word "forever". It's a confusing ride.

[author-by-night.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I feel bad for people who didn't do anything and are now out of a job. Also... this is now all on their resume, although I think it's pretty clear none of them endorsed the tweets.

.probably because the politics and Roseanne's CLEAR pro-Trump beliefs were REALLY sinking through into the show, and that was never anything that happened on the original show,

Yikes. :/ The Muslim storyline sounds downright horrible.

[noybusiness.livejournal.com]

Next, let's patent the word "the".

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

That's the thing I don't get, it takes a quick search online to know how changing something like that ain't cheap for anyone involved, which makes her doubling down hard on wanting these authors to change their titles and everything about their books even more selfish and ridiculous.

And really, I'll never understand this obsession of trademarking words and claiming them as your own. Unless it's something you, specifically, made up, you have no right to own a commonly used word.

Drama in the publishing world is something else, let me tell you.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I can actually see someone narcissistic enough to try this, tbh, because that's the world we live in. :/

[noybusiness.livejournal.com]

Reminds me of All Rights Reserved. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33257478-all-rights-reserved

[ganimede]

I got an email from Photobucket about some reduced prices but I didn't really do much after I'd skimmed it because it was still asking for money. I had no idea they'd restored all the old pictures though, that's good at least, although I think it's too little too late.

I'd heard of the drama over the whole cocky thing. I seem to think there's been similar drama over someone trying to trademark a common word before and it's never ended well. It's completely ridiculous that someone thinks they can do that and is being so heavy handed about it. When will people learn?

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

It's definitely their way of trying to win back people's trust, by restoring all the images that were broken on sites. Which is a little late considering that, even underneath new management, they should know that part of the appeal of the site to begin with was its free services and being forced to pay for something that was once free for years isn't going to bode well with people. I mean, I'm happy that certain sites/journals are no longer broken thanks to them restoring the images that they once held hostage, but at the same time it doesn't change anything. People have moved on, and rightfully so.

There's always someone somewhere trying to pull something like that, trying to trademark something all because they feel entitled to it.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. Someone had previously inquired about this recently since all their old graphics that were broken from last year were suddenly showing up again. So I did some searching around, hoping that it wasn't some kind of fluke, and found out this recent news. I'm not entirely surprised that it hasn't been reported on many sites after what happened last year, though.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

this is why I think public figures and professionals should be way, way more careful about what they say on social media. Honestly, I think that's a good rule in general

My thoughts exactly, since I always thought that was rather the basic kind of etiquette for anything, whether it's on social media or speaking out in the real world. I also agree that it doesn't matter who you are, you should always be mindful what you're posting or saying. Which is why I'm perplexed that public figures don't watch what they write or at least don't have a PR person handling or overseeing what they're doing.

I do think we're living in an age right now where this is a huge disconnect of awareness when it comes behavior surrounding social media. Sure, people are aware that they're talking to people, but I don't think many realize the scope of how massively public it is and the impact their words and actions can have. Because, as you said, social media is a platform for engaging and responding to the masses, if you don't want a response then don't engage or at least be mindful of the way you approach your followers/audience. Though in our current culture it's become more common for people to do/say things for the brief thrill of posting it and getting as many likes as possible, which is something that I think needs more evaluation of how we validate ourselves through these kinds of outlets. Many don't seem to understand the weight of their words have so much as just needing those likes/retweets/reblogs/etc. It's also interesting because many have gotten into trouble for the things they have said on social media, oftentimes things that incriminate themselves (i.e. gotten fired from their jobs because it reflects badly on the company they're supposed to be representing), which should be a teachable moment of how actions have consequences especially when it comes to such public platforms like social media.

Granted, this then creates the debate on whether this is censorship or stripping the right of "free speech" (which is often misused because so many don't understand/don't bother to learn the actual meaning of "freedom of speech" and only use it when evading consequence and refusing responsibility). But honestly, I think the basic etiquette of "don't be an asshole" and "be mindful of what you're writing and who you're addressing" should be the best ways of operating on social media platforms. This is especially true for public figures, as they should be even more conscious of what they put out there. You're not talking to an empty void, you're talking to people, and what you say can and does reflect on who you are as a person.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I never got why ABC brought back the show knowing full well how she is. Not every show should be revived for nostalgia's sake.

I guess they assumed that regardless of her personal opinions she would try to remain professional enough for it to work, or at least keep those opinions to herself while the revival was going on, which meant not going on Twitter and doing what she did/continues to do. I even think one of the co-showrunners tried to convince audiences when it premiered to separate the person from the character/show, which not only did that mean they were all 100% aware of who she was (which is why I don't buy the whole "we're so shocked" reactions from some of the cast, y'all been knew of her behavior), but also it was impossible to even separate the two considering how much say she had in trying to change the character from the original series to share her current beliefs. The character of Roseanne Conner would never say or believe the things that Roseanne the person does today, so even though she created/owns the character it was pretty shitty to do that and ruin the legacy of said character and the show.

Just, this whole revival was a mess from the very beginning. Much like the last season/series finale of the original run of the series, it shouldn't have happened.

I only noticed yesterday that my graphics were back, but I'm not returning to Photobucket, the damage is done.

Yeah, I'm glad that images are no longer being held hostage like that, but this isn't going to win people back to using those services again.

I can't understand how she thought this was going to end well for her.

People this narcissistic just believe everything is going to work out in their favor, no matter how ridiculous and inane their requests/demands are. She truly believes she's in the right and everyone else is wrong and how she's being "attacked" and that she's just protecting herself and her "brand", which is absurd. But, you can't reason with delusional individuals like Hopkins. This whole thing has been like an entertaining trainwreck to watch, but I do hope that however it gets resolved that it goes in the favor of the authors she has been bullying/throwing under the bus.