CBS’ The Talk is taking a break from live shows after a heated exchange between Sharon Osbourne and Sheryl Underwood.
What We Know:
- During last Wednesday’s episode, an explosive confrontation between co-hosts Sharon Osbourne and Sheryl Underwood erupted during a discussion about whether or not Piers Morgan was racist towards Meghan Markle following her Oprah interview. The English broadcaster and T.V. personality have a long history of disdain for the former-royal, dismissing her claims of racism and suicidal feelings.
- The conversation quickly escalated into accusations of racism. Vulture reports that Osbourne defended her friend Piers Morgan by telling Underwood, “don’t try and cry, ’cause if anyone should be crying, it should be me.“ After Underwood noted, “while you are standing by you your friend, it appears that you are giving validation or safe haven to something that he has uttered that is racist.” Osbourne later issued an apology via Twitter, writing, “I panicked, felt blinded, got defensive & allowed my fear & horror of being accused of being racist take over. Please hear me when I say I do not condone racism, misogyny or bulling.”
— Sharon Osbourne (@MrsSOsbourne) March 12, 2021
- To add to the controversy, Black actress and former co-star Holly Robinson Peete tweeted on Friday that Osbourne had made racist comments about her that resulted in her being fired from The Talk. “I’m old enough to remember when Sharon complained that I was too “ghetto” for #theTalk…then I was gone.” The network has halted the daytime talk shows live shows on Monday, March 15, and Tuesday, March 16, as CBS continues to investigate the situation.
I’m old enough to remember when Sharon complained that I was too “ghetto” for #theTalk…then I was gone💨
I bring this up now bc I was mortified watching the disrespectful condescending tone she took w/her co host who remained calm & respectful because…she HAD to🤦🏽♀️ 🤷🏽♀️#fbf https://t.co/7pnCnhM5rf pic.twitter.com/CXR4DzvlEZ— Holly Robinson Peete 💃🏾♍️ (@hollyrpeete) March 12, 2021
- Osbourne has fiercely denied Peete’s claims tweeting, “I never once uttered those words, and I am sharing an email sent to me from Holly one month after she was let go by CBS. As I have stated before, I have never had the ability/authority to get anyone fired from [the show], and Ms. Peete’s email speaks for itself.”
The show is set to return to its regular live schedule on Wednesday.
