Sharon OsbourneThe Talk is off air while CBS investigates on-air clash between hosts over Morgans comments about Duchess of Sussex
Sat 27 Mar 2021 05.42 EDT
Sharon Osbourne has left US chat show The Talk following an on-air row over Piers Morgans comments about the Duchess of Sussex, CBS said.
Osbourne clashed with her co-hosts while defending Morgan, who left his job on Good Morning Britain following his comments about Meghan.
What Piers Morgans exit tells us about the future of impartial broadcasting in the UK | Jane Martinson
The Talk is off air while CBS investigates the incident.
It said her behaviour during the 10 March episode did not align with our values for a respectful workplace.
In a statement, CBS said: Sharon Osbourne has decided to leave The Talk. The events of the 10 March broadcast were upsetting to everyone involved, including the audience watching at home.
As part of our review, we concluded that Sharons behaviour toward her co-hosts during the 10 March episode did not align with our values for a respectful workplace.
Responding to Osbournes claims that she had been set up by producers, CBS said: We also did not find any evidence that CBS executives orchestrated the discussion or blindsided any of the hosts.
However, CBS said it acknowledged the network, studio teams and producers were accountable for what happened during that broadcast because it was clear the co-hosts were not properly prepared by the staff for a complex and sensitive discussion involving race.
CBS said during the hiatus, The Talk would coordinate 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.
The Talk is due to return on 12 April.
Osbourne, a former X Factor judge, has been contacted for comment.
Her future on the show was thrown into doubt after she clashed with co-host Sheryl Underwood, who is black, during a discussion about Morgans comments on Meghan.
Morgan was criticised for saying he did not believe the duchess when she told Oprah Winfrey she had suffered with her mental health and had had suicidal thoughts.
During a heated discussion, Osbourne said: I feel even like Im about to be put in the electric chair because I have a friend who many people think is a racist so that makes me a racist.
Osbourne confronted comedian and actor Underwood and told her dont try and cry, because if anyone should be crying, it should be me.
You tell me where you have heard him say, educate me, tell me when you have heard him say racist things. Educate me. Tell me.
Underwood said it was not the exact words of racism but the implication and the reaction to it, to not want to address that because she is a black woman and to try to dismiss it or to make it seem less than what it is, thats what makes it racist.
Osbourne, wife of rocker Ozzy Osbourne, later said she was truly sorry if she caused offence with her comments.
She gave an interview to Entertainment Tonight and alleged she had not been sufficiently prepared for the conversation by producers.
Osbourne said her co-hosts had preparation, they had written questions for them but she was only approached eight minutes before filming began and was asked if she was OK with discussing Morgan.
She told ET she felt she had been set up, adding: My anger was like, I cannot believe this, Im your sacrificial lamb.
{{#ticker}}{{topLeft}}
{{bottomLeft}}
{{topRight}}
{{bottomRight}}
{{#goalExceededMarkerPercentage}}{{/goalExceededMarkerPercentage}}
{{/ticker}}{{#paragraphs}}{{.}}
{{/paragraphs}}{{highlightedText}}
We will be in touch to remind you to contribute. Look out for a message in your inbox in May 2021. If you have any questions about contributing, please contact us.
