Sharon Osbourne Off “The Talk”

Sharon Osbourne Off “The Talk”-

Sharon Osbourne is permanently stepping away from CBS’ The Talk. This decision comes after a result of the network’s recent investigation into her contentious; on air racism debate with co-host Sheryl Underwood.

Osbourne “has decided to leave The Talk,” CBS said in a statement on Friday. After an internal review conducted during the show’s unplanned hiatus. The network has decided that “Osbourne’s behavior towards her co-hosts; during the March 10 episode did not align with our values for a respectful workplace.”

On that now-infamous March 10th episode. The daytime series’ hosting panel discussed whether British TV personality Piers Morgan’s comments about Meghan Markle were racist. Osbourne was very vocal; both in her defense of Morgan and in her apparent worry that she would be considered racist for offering her support. At several points in the heated conversation, Osbourne spoke over Underwood, which led to social media posts criticizing Osbourne’s behavior.

Osbourne posts a public apology

Osbourne posted a public apology on Friday, March 12; tweeting that she felt “panicked” and “blindsided” that people might think she was racist. So she “got defensive and allowed my fear and horror of being accused of being racist take over. There are very few things that hurt my heart more than racism, so to feel associated with that spun me fast! I am not perfect. I am still learning like the rest of us and will continue to learn, listen and do better.”

Days later, The Talk took an unplanned hiatus cancelling its March 15 and 16 shows. When they conduct an internal review of the incident.

Then on March 16, journalist Yashar Ali published a post listing several sources, including former Talk co-host Leah Remini. She stated that Osbourne frequently used Asian slurs to refer to her former co-host Julie Chen and lesbian slurs to refer to former co-host Sara Gilbert. Soon after that, the daytime talk show extended the break to Tuesday, March 23. Then later furthering the hiatus to late March. 

Holly Robinson Peete Also Has Words To Say

In the meantime, former Talk co-host Holly Robinson Peete also alleged that Osbourne had called her “ghetto” to be on the show and responsible for her eventual ousting; claims Osbourne has denied. “Never in my life did I utter the words that Holly was ‘too ghetto’ to be on The Talk, as well as having her fired;” Osbourne tweeted, though the post is now removed.

Osbourne was the last of The Talk‘s original co-hosts, a group that included Peete, Remini, Gilbert and Chen.

The Talk will return with new episodes on Monday, April 12, following a pre-scheduled hiatus. “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,” the network says. “Going forward, we are identifying plans to enhance the producing staff & producing procedures to better serve the hosts, the production and, ultimately, our viewers.”

Let us also take note in the power of our voices as a collective.

Since it is FACT the viewers led the ‘brigade of accountability’ straight to the network, who then opened an investigation. Acknowledging the many calls, emails and complaints of viewers finding the episode highly offensive. 

Back