Sharon Osbourne has reportedly left “The Talk” after eleven seasons following backlash for defending Piers Morgan in his feud with Meghan Markle.
“Sharon Osbourne has decided to leave The Talk,” CBS said in a statement, according to Entertainment Tonight [1]. “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 show runners, 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,” the statement added. “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.”
On the episode in question, Osbourne defended Morgan after he was accused of racism for critiquing Markle’s interview with Oprah Winfrey. Osbourne’s cohost Sheryl Underwood argued that Morgan “doesn’t want to understand how Meghan was treated was racism and then says…I don’t see it as being racist — I don’t believe what she’s going through — it’s that white entitlement, privilege that makes it racist upon itself.”
“So if you’re saying I stand with you, how do you address people who say then you are standing with racism?” Underwood said to Osbourne. “I’m not saying that you are.”
Osbourne later apologized, tweeting “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.”
Despite her apology, however, the backlash continued. Days later, Holly Robinson Peete claimed that she was fired from “The Talk” after Osbourne claimed she was “too ghetto” to be on the talk show.
This piece originally appeared in UpliftingToday.com [2] and is used by permission.
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