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Sharon Osbourne left The Talk after a dispute over her defense of Piers Morgan’s criticism of Meghan Markle, CBS confirmed in a statement on Friday.
Osbourne, 68, ended his more than a decade with the daytime chat show after the heated debate on the air on March 10, which sent production on a two-week hiatus.
The controversy began when Osbourne delivered a vociferous defense of his friend Piers Morgan, who left Good Morning Britain after furious criticism of his unconditional insistence that he did not believe Markle’s explosive claims in his interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Then allegations surfaced that Osbourne made racist comments about co-hosts behind the scenes on The Talk, claims she has flatly denied.
Sharon Osbourne left The Talk after a controversy that started with her on-air defense of Piers Morgan, who said she didn’t believe Meghan Markle.
The controversy began with an on-air debate in which Osbourne defended his friend Piers Morgan’s criticism of Meghan Markle. Osbourn and Morgan are seen together upstairs
The controversy stems from Markle’s comments in the Oprah interview, in which she accused the Royal Family of racism and said she had suicidal thoughts.
“Sharon Osbourne has decided to leave The Talk,” CBS said in a statement confirming her departure. “The events of the March 10 broadcast upset everyone involved, including the audience watching at home.”
“As part of our review, we concluded that Sharon’s behavior towards her co-hosts during the March 10 episode did not align with our values of a respectful workplace,” the statement continued.
“We also found no evidence that CBS executives orchestrated the discussion or caught any of the presenters by surprise,” CBS said, responding to accusations by Osbourne’s side that it was “poised to fail” by being incited to debate by producers.
At the same time, we acknowledge that the network and studio teams, as well as the showrunners, are responsible for what happened during that broadcast, as it was clear that the staff did not adequately prepare the co-hosts for a complex and sensitive discussion that it involved race, ” the statement added.
‘During this week’s hiatus, we are coordinating workshops, listening sessions and training on equity, inclusion and cultural awareness for the hosts, producers and crew. Moving forward, we are identifying plans to improve production staff and production procedures to better serve the hosts, the production, and ultimately our viewers, ” said CBS.
“Sharon Osbourne has decided to leave The Talk,” CBS said in a statement confirming her departure. ‘The events of the March 10 broadcast upset everyone involved, including the audience watching at home.’
On The Talk, Osbourne defended Morgan in an on-air debate with co-host Sheryl Underwood, which turned heated
Osbourne had reportedly cited clauses in her contract demanding millions in severance pay if she was forced to resign, but it was not immediately clear whether CBS had agreed to pay.
The controversy stems from Markle’s comments in the Oprah interview, in which she accused the Royal Family of racism and said she had suicidal thoughts that were dismissed by the Palace.
Morgan stormed out of Good Morning Britain after saying she didn’t believe any of their claims, eventually leaving the ITV show.
On The Talk, Osbourne defended Morgan in an on-air debate with co-host Sheryl Underwood, which turned heated.
“Educate me, tell me when you’ve heard him say racist things,” Osbourne said about Morgan to Underwood, who is black.
“I’m very sorry that they are going to put me in the electric chair because I have a friend, who a lot of people think is a racist, does that make me a racist?” Osbourne added.
Osbourne apologized for his comments, but the show was cut short when CBS launched an investigation.
Allegations then surfaced that Osbourne had made racist or rude comments about the co-hosts behind the scenes on The Talk.
Osbourne (far right) and Underwood (second from left) had a heated exchange about Osbourne’s support for his friend Piers Morgan (third from left), who has come under fire for comments he made about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry . Morgan posted this photo in February 2020 from the previous panel of last year’s show. From left to right: Carrie Ann Inaba, Underwood, Morgan, Marie Osmond and Osbourne
Piers Morgan expressed disappointment after Osbourne apologized
Former co-stars Julie Chen and Leah Rimini came out publicly to complain that Osbourne once referred to Chen as “a wonton” and Rimini as a “ghetto.”
The allegations came shortly after another former co-star, Holly Robinson Peete, also accused Osbourne of calling it a ‘ghetto’ and allegedly fired her.
A Yashar Ali report also alleged that Osbourne called former co-host Sara Gilbert “eat fish”, among other things; Gilbert is a lesbian.
Osbourne furiously denied the allegations in an interview with DailyMail.com, calling the claims ‘all c ** p’.
‘In situations like this, you’re always going to find people that you’ve had disagreements with in the past, people who have axes to sharpen, who come out of the wood and come out with their nonsense and that’s it. It doesn’t surprise me at all. I’m not surprised, ‘he said.
Of course, it is a lot. People want to add fuel to the fire and they come with the territory and that’s fine, ” Osbourne said.
She added: ‘Being accused of racism is not a joke. Now they get their sweet revenge. I can’t even address it because they are children in a schoolyard.
‘Coming out with stupid and childish comments, is that really like? Is that all you have?
When asked if he’s ever called Chen a wonton, he added, ‘It’s all bullshit. It’s all bullshit. I don’t want to go there with her. She makes a living dating people. So, it’s how we go.
It has no real basis. Accusations of calling a Chinese lady wontons, it’s like: is that all you got? Is it like really?
Osbourne (left) furiously denied allegations that he called former co-host Julie Chen (right) ‘wonton’ and ‘slanted eyes’ behind the scenes on The Talk.
A report also alleges that Osbourne (left) called former co-host Sara Gilbert (right) “eat fish”, among other things; Gilbert is a lesbian
Osbourne hired powerful attorney Jeremiah Reynolds from the Eisner law firm to represent her in the dispute with CBS, Page Six reports.
Sharon wasted no time getting her lawyers to immediately take up the case. Jeremiah Reynolds has a very strong reputation as a trial and arbitration attorney and is handling all of his negotiations with CBS, ”said a source familiar with the internal investigation.
“The chain will have to pay her considerable compensation to keep her quiet after this,” the source said. ‘She could write a book, she would do a world of interviews. She knows where all the bodies are buried.
Reynolds has an extensive background record as a corporate fighter who has represented the Kardashian family, Jennifer Lopez, Kate Hudson, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Danny DeVito and Paris Hilton.
Sharon Osbourne reportedly demanded a payment in the tens of millions to quit her job as a co-host on The Talk, amid accusations that she made racist comments.
An insider had claimed that Osbourne would strictly enforce the provisions of the contract if she was forced out of the show.
The person added: ‘She is furious at the myriad of allegations that have been made about her and refuses to give in to the mounting pressure to leave.
“As far as she is concerned, she apologized for the on-air debate and has done nothing wrong,” the source added.
Developing story, more to follow.
