Inside Sharon Osbourne's Exit From The Talk
It's official: Sharon Osbourne is out at The Talk. "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," CBS said in a March 26, 2021, statement, referencing Osbourne's controversial defense of Piers Morgan, according to Page Six. "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."
The statement continued, "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." The announcement came amid the show's extended hiatus, which will end on April 12, 2021, the release noted.
So what's next for Osbourne? We can't say for sure, but it is fair to argue her departure was inevitable. Here's why.
Sharon Osbourne was unhappy with CBS
Sharon Osbourne's on-air drama with her The Talk co-hosts — Sheryl Underwood in particular — was because of her defending Piers Morgan's controversial remarks about Meghan Markle's interview with Oprah Winfrey. Many fans expressed frustration with Osbourne's stance, arguing how her support of Morgan was problematic and racially charged. When Underwood tried to explain the outrage to Osbourne, she dug in her heels, and from many viewers' perspectives, made the situation worse.
As for Osbourne's take on it? She alleged to Entertainment Tonight's Kevin Frazier that she was taken advantage of by CBS producers, claiming they encouraged her co-hosts to grill her about supporting Morgan. "Sheryl turns around and asks me this question and....she was reading it off a card. It wasn't on my cards," Osbourne claimed, noting how she felt unprepared for the discussion. "And then Elaine [Welteroth]'s reading her questions and I'm like, 'I've been set up.' They're setting me up. My anger was like, I cannot believe this, I'm your sacrificial lamb."
Osbourne also expressed uncertainty about her role at The Talk, stating, "I wish we could go on and have a adult conversation calmly and work it out but I don't know whether we can. I don't know whether it's gone past that." She concluded, "I would love to but I don't know whether I even want to go back. ... I don't know whether I'm wanted there." Well, it seems like Osbourne has since made up her mind.
Piers Morgan's son has defended Sharon Osbourne
Shortly after the news of her departure broke, Piers Morgan's son, Spencer Morgan, proved he had Sharon Osbourne's back in a post on Instagram. On March 27, 2021, Spencer uploaded a photo of himself and two people who appeared to be his brothers — Albert Morgan and Stanley Morgan — posing with Osbourne alongside a caption vehemently defending the star.
"Of all the 'celebrities' I've got to know this lady is easily one of the kindest. She loses her job now for spitting facts in defence of @piersmorgan but history will remember her so well for it," he wrote. Spencer closed out his message by adding, "Thank you Sharon. Respect," alongside a NSFW message for those who encouraged "cancel culture." The snap appeared to be taken backstage at America's Got Talent, where Osbourne sat alongside Piers for four seasons of the show. Piers was a judge on Seasons 1 through 6, while Osbourne appeared on the judging panel from Season 2 to 7.
Sharon Osbourne was accused of another race-related controversy
Sharon Osbourne's drama with Sheryl Underwood uncovered a racially motivated allegation from another of her now former co-stars. Holly Robinson Peete — who was let go from the CBS talk show after only one season, alongs with Leah Remini — alleged on Twitter on March 12, 2021, that Osbourne had described her as being "too ghetto" before she left the series. "Sharon complained that I was too 'ghetto' for #theTalk...then I was gone," she tweeted alongside a photo of her on the set with the original panel: Sara Gilbert, Julie Chen, Remini, and Osbourne. "I bring this up now bc I was mortified watching the disrespectful condescending tone she took w/her co host who remained calm & respectful because...she HAD to," Peete added, referring to Osbourne's on-air exchange with Underwood.
In response, Osbourne claimed she "never had the ability/authority to get anyone fired from The Talk" on Twitter and vehemently denied the allegations in a second tweet, that read, "Never in my life did I utter the words that Holly was 'too ghetto' to be on the Talk, as well as not having her fired," per the Los Angeles Times. Both messages have since been deleted.
Sharon Osbourne reached out to Sheryl Underwood but didn't hear back
Sharon Osbourne revealed that she had reached out to Sheryl Underwood following their on-air discussion, but claimed that she had not responded. In her March 16, 2021 interview with Entertainment Tonight, the British star admitted she "got too personal with Sheryl" and added, "I should've never said stop her tears. She was hurting as I was hurting." Osbourne professed her love for now former co-star and noted, "I've apologized to Sheryl, she's not gotten back and I can understand. Sheryl needs her time."
As for Underwood, she said on her podcast The World According to Sheryl, that she had been nothing but a "good friend" amid the controversy. "I didn't do anything to anybody. And I was a good friend, no matter what came toward me, I was a good friend," Underwood claimed. She added, "The vibe for me was, this was already forgiven and over as soon as it was said. As soon as the yelling and the screaming happened, it was already forgiven and over. I don't know what's in Sharon's heart, I don't know what she's feeling. The only feelings I can control are my own." It's not clear if the two have spoken since Osbourne's departure was announced.