Sharon Osbourne’s Drama on ‘The Talk’ Explained Amid Controversy

Tense Moments

Osbourne rushed to the defense of Morgan during the March 10 episode of The Talk following her cohost’s concerns about his remarks on Markle. “While you are standing by your friend, it appears that you are giving validation or safe haven to something that he has uttered that is racist,” Underwood explained, later adding, “It was not the exact words of racism, it’s the implications and the reaction to it. To not want to address that [Meghan] is a Black woman and to try to dismiss it or to make it seem less than what it is, that’s what makes it racist.” 

Osbourne was visibly upset at the thought that she could be seen as racist for associating with Morgan. After Underwood said that she hadn’t seen Osbourne behave in such a way, Osbourne still felt attacked and said, “I think that seed is already sown.”

Taking Responsibility

After initially showing support to Morgan, Osbourne took to Twitter on March 12 to express some of her regrets, writing, “To anyone of color that I offended and/or to anyone that feels confused or let down by what I said, I am truly sorry. I panicked, felt blindsided, 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.”

Piers Morgan Responds

“Sharon’s been shamed and bullied into [apologizing] for defending me against colleagues accusing me of racism because I don’t believe Meghan Markle’s bulls–t,” he tweeted in response to her public apology. “This is where we’ve reached. I demand an apology from those @TheTalkCBS bullies for their disgraceful slurs against ME.”

Explosive Interview

Osbourne blamed the network for the drama during an interview with Variety on March 12 about the segment. “I was blindsided, totally blindsided by the whole situation. In my 11 years, this was the first time I was not involved with the planning … I said, ‘Sure, they can ask me whatever.’ But then I get on there, I say my piece and Sheryl turns around straight-faced, looks at me and is reading from a card with questions,” the former MTV star explained. “I was just so hurt, caught off-guard and stunned by what I was being asked and not prepared. I was honestly in shock. I felt like I was in front of a firing squad. I felt like a lamb held out for slaughter … They had me there for 20 minutes.”

New Allegations

After the ordeal made headlines, former The Talk host Holly Robinson Peete chimed in with her own post about Osbourne. “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 [because] I was mortified watching the disrespectful condescending tone she took w/her cohost who remained calm and respectful because … she HAD to #fbf,” Peete tweeted on March 12. 

“In response to @hollyrpeete Holly Robinson Peete’s accusation of me getting her fired from @thetalkcbs and saying she was ‘too ghetto’ to be on The Talk,” Osbourne fired back. “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 @thetalkcbs and Ms. Peete’s email speaks for itself.” 

There have been reports of an email allegedly from Peete, in which she appears to call out Julie Chen for her exit from the show instead of Osbourne.

Taking Time Off

CBS released a statement about going on hiatus amid the drama, reading, “We are committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace. All matters related to the Wednesday episode of The Talk are currently under internal review.”

Making Her Exit

On March 26, the network announced that Osbourne “decided to leave” the show before it returns from hiatus on Monday, April 12.

“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 cohosts 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,” read the statement obtained by Us Weekly. “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 cohosts were not properly prepared by the staff for a complex and sensitive discussion involving race.”

“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,” CBS concluded.

Sheryl Breaks Silence

In a three-part series on her podcast titled “Sharon Walks Away” Underwood addressed whether or not she’s spoken to Osbourne since her departure.
“Have you spoken to Sharon Osbourne since the last time you were on set together?” podcast cohost James Kelley asked Underwood on April 6. “No, OK, I’ve been looking through my phone,” she said. “No. I can go back as far as I can go. No.”

Sharon Speaks Out

Three weeks after her departure from The Talk was confirmed, she broke her silence on the controversy during an appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher on April 16.

“I’m angry, I’m hurt,” she said when host Bill Maher asked how she’s been feeling since her exit from the show was announced. “I’ve been called so many things in my life… but a racist is one thing I will not take.”