Sharon Osbourne leaving ‘The Talk’ after racism dispute
Sharon Osbourne who is co-host of CBS’s “The Talk,” will be leaving the program following an internal review of on air dispute about race earlier this month, the network announced Friday.
The network added that the March 10 segment, in which Osbourne clashed with co-host Sheryl Underwood over Osbourne’s support of former “Good Morning, Britain” host Piers Morgan following his exit from the show, was “upsetting to everyone involved, including the audience watching at home.”
Sharon Osbourne has decided to leave The Talk,” according to a CBS statement obtained by Nexstar, that continues:
“The events of the March 10 broadcast were upsetting to everyone involved, including the audience watching at home. As part of our review, we concluded that Sharon’s behavior toward her co-hosts during the March 10 episode did not align with our values for a respectful workplace. We also did not find any evidence that CBS executives orchestrated the discussion or blindsided any of the hosts.
At the same time, we acknowledge the network and studio teams, as well as the showrunners, are accountable for what happened during that broadcast as it was clear the co-hosts were not properly prepared by the staff for a complex and sensitive discussion involving race.
During this week’s hiatus, we are coordinating workshops, listening sessions and training about equity, inclusion and cultural awareness for the hosts, producers and crew. Going forward, we are identifying plans to enhance the producing staff and producing procedures to better serve the hosts, the production and, ultimately, our viewers.”
The news of Osbourne’s exit comes two weeks after Osbourne went off the rails, prompting CBS to announce that the daytime show would stay on hiatus for another week while the network conducted an internal investigation. PIX11
On March 16, Frazier did an Interview with Osbourne. In the Interview Kevin Frazier intended to give Sharon Osbourne a chance to air her side of the story. Osbourne got into an heated confrontation with her cohost Sheryl Underwood, on March 10, on their CBS Show, The Talk. The fallout came after Sharon Osbourne decided to defend British Broadcaster Piers Morgan after he was labeled a racist and was sacked from “Good Morning Britain” after multiple rants against the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle. Jamaica Live News
The Talk On Hiatus
CBS announced The Talk would go on two days hiatus Monday March 15 and Tuesday March 16, as it launches an internal investigation into Sharon Osbourne and Sheryl Underwood’s racism discussion.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, CBS’ panel series is extending its brief hiatus from live shows until Tuesday, March 23, as the network continues a review stemming from March 10’s heated debate between Sharon Osbourne and Sheryl Underwood. Initially planning to return to live episodes on Wednesday, March 17, the show will stay dark as Osbourne’s defense of Piers Morgan and comments on racism — particularly her confrontation with Underwood, her Black colleague — go under the microscope internally.