The woman behind ‘Roseanne’s’ cancellation: Get to know Channing Dungey
| Digital Editor |
May 29, 2018 | 2:45 PM
Channing Dungey succeeded Paul Lee as president of the ABC Entertainment in February 2016. (Craig Sjodin / Associated Press)
When “Roseanne” was canceled Tuesday, several hours after titular star Roseanne Barr posted a racist tweet, top TV talent such as Shonda Rhimes, Kenya Barris, Ava DuVernay and Viola Davis all singled out one name: Channing Dungey, the president of ABC Entertainment Group who announced the shocking news.
ABC’s swift decision to cancel its top-rated show — and one of the most-viewed series of the entire 2017-18 season — is not the first time Dungey has made history. When she was named network president in February 2016, she became the first African American to hold the position.
By Tuesday afternoon, the spotlight had suddenly shifted to Dungey, with her name trending on Twitter and gratitude pouring in from celebrities such as Kerry Washington and Marlee Matlin
