Sharon Osbourne has parted ways with The Talk after her heated on-air defense of her fellow and former America’s Got Talent judge, Piers Morgan with co-host Sheryl Underwood. The decision came two weeks after the March 10 dustup. If it were just the heated conversation with Underwood, Sharon might have slid by. But reports of her racist, homophobic and bullying behavior both on the set of The Talk and elsewhere likely sealed the deal.
CBS put out the following statement.
Sharon Osbourne has decided to leave The Talk. 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.
It all started after Oprah’s hair raising interview with Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, which revealed racism in the royal family. Also, Meghan shared that she became so depressed at one point, that she contemplated suicide. Afterward, Piers Morgan called Meghan a liar on his ITV morning show. After refusing to apologize, ITV fired him. Sharon defended him on The Talk, and bristled at Sheryl agreeing that Piers’ attacks on Meghan were racist. She demanded that Sheryl “educate” her on who is racist.
Initially apologetic on Twitter, Sharon then went on the offense during the show’s hiatus. She gave interviews to both Variety and Entertainment Tonight, claiming that she had been “set up” by the producers and was offered up as a “sacrificial lamb.”
