Sharon Osbourne To Leave US Show ‘The Talk’

The Talk and Sharon Osbourne have finally split in ways, CBS reported Friday.

The news comes two weeks after an on-air dispute happened between Osbourne and one of her colleagues, and allegations that she had made racist and homosexual remarks about her work colleagues in the past.

Official Statement

“The March 10 broadcast events were outrageous to all stakeholders, including the audience at home. As part of our review, we concluded that Sharon’s behavior towards her co-workers during the March 10 episode was not in line with our standards and decent work environment,” CBS said in a statement. “We also did not find any evidence that CBS management planned the interview or closed the eyes of the athletes.”

CNN reached out to an Osbourne representative for comment.

In the middle of the argument, Osbourne had a heated conversation with co-worker Sheryl Underwood after the latter questioned Osbourne’s support of her longtime friend, Piers Morgan.

The Background

Morgan left his job at ITV’s “Good Morning Britain” after allegations that the negative comments he made following Prince Harry’s interview with Meghan and media veteran Oprah Winfrey were based on racism.

Osbourne wanted Underwood to tell her a time when Morgan had been discriminative and appeared to be angry during the exchange.

Panicked And Felt Blindsided

Osbourne later tweeted an apology, saying she “panicked,” “felt blindsided” and then “got defensive” during her conversation with Underwood.

Following this episode, CBS announced that it would be reviewed internally and the show went on for a while.
Shortly afterwards, in an article written by journalist Yashar Ali, a colleague of “Leya” Leah Remini, who spoke on the record in this episode, as well as several unnamed sources, accused Osbourne of using racist and homosexual language in the past when talking about her colleagues.

Osbourne spokesman Howard Bragman denied the allegations.

“The only thing worse than a disgruntled former employee is a disgruntled former talk show host,” he said in a statement to CNN. “For 11 years Sharon has been kind, collegial and friendly with her hosts as evidenced by throwingthem parties, inviting them to her home in the UK and other gestures of kindness too many to name. Sharon is disappointed but unfazed and hardly surprised by the lies, the recasting of history and the bitterness coming out at this moment.”

‘I Am Not A Racist’

Before the allegations came to light, Osbourne spoke to “Entertainment Tonight” and insisted she was not racist. She also said that she had tried to apologize to Underwood, who treated her as a friend, but to no avail.

“I am not a racist and if you can’t have a go at your friend who happens to be Black, does that make me racist because I said certain things to my friend, but I said them on camera?” Osbourne said. “I will keep on apologizing to Sheryl, even if I decide not to go back, I will still keep apologizing to Sheryl.”

Osbourne was the only remaining cast member of “The Talk,” which debuted in 2010.

In its statement Friday, CBS also said: “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.”

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