Comedienne Silverman Draws Fire With Abortion Joke on Twitter

Comedian Sarah Silverman has sparked the ire of fans and detractors alike after posting what many considered to be a distasteful Twitter joke about abortion.

Silverman posted a pair of photos on the social media site last week, several publications reported.

The first photo showed her with her boyfriend, Family Guy television program writer Alec Sulkin, in the background; she was displaying a rotund stomach with the tagline, “It’s a burrito!” The later photo showed her with a washboard stomach with the flippant comment “Got a quickie aborsh in case R v W gets overturned,” she wrote, referencing the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling that made abortion legal in the United States.

London’s Daily Mail, along with a host of other commentators and media outlets on both sides of the political aisle, condemned Silverman, saying that her comment has contributed to the "War on Women" debate, and “reignited the women’s rights movement via Twitter.”

“[Silverman’s] brand of abortion-based wittiness is vile and disturbing,” Jeannie Deangelis at Big Hollywood said.

Olivia Fleming at The Daily Mail in Britain condemned Silverman for her insensitivity to abortion, saying that it is “no laughing matter.”

Fans alike agreed that Silverman went too far.

“Really in poor taste, Sarah,” Chicago-based comedy group The Second City tweeted.

Twitter followers also objected to Silverman’s “humor,” calling the pictures “gross” and repulsive.”