It’s Same Old Song But New Tune for Roseanne

Roseanne Barr took another stab at the national anthem. This time, she inflicted less damage.

During taping Monday of Sally Jessy Raphael’s syndicated talk show, Barr and her husband, Tom Arnold, sang with Raphael and about 300 people in the studio audience.

The star of ABC’s “Roseanne” was booed Wednesday before about 30,000 baseball fans when she screeched the national anthem at a San Diego Padres game. She topped off the performance by grabbing her crotch and spitting. Her performance set off a storm of criticism and a public apology from the Padres.

“I’ve apologized over and over about 50 times,” Barr said.

Arnold, referring to President Bush’s comment that Barr’s singing had been “disgraceful,” said, “I think the President should thank Roseanne. She took the spotlight off his new taxes and his son’s savings and loan scandal.”

During the taping Monday in Los Angeles, Barr placed her hand over her heart and coyly began singing a much-softer version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” with the audience to close the show. The program airs Wednesday.