Gone Too Far! CBS Announces ‘Internal Review’ After Sharon Osbourne Spars With Sheryl Underwood On ‘The Talk’
Mar. 15 2021, Updated 4:46 p.m. ET
Sharon Osbourne may be in hot water with CBS following her heated with Sheryl Underwood on a recent episode of The Talk.
The trouble started off-air, when Osbourne’s friend, Piers Morgan, slammed Meghan Markle following the Duchess of Essex’s March 7 televised interview with Oprah Winfrey.
“I wouldn’t believe her if she read me a weather report,” Morgan, 59, sniped the next day on his show, Good Morning Britain.
Sharon Osbourne & Sheryl Underwood Fight On 'The Talk'
Two days later, Osbourne, 68, and Underwood had an intense conversation about the controversy surrounding Morgan.
“Did I like everything he said? Did I agree with what he said? No,” Osbourne said on The Talk. “It's not my opinion ... I support him for his freedom of speech, and he's my friend.”
Underwood, 57, then asked Osbourne what she would tell people who felt “that while you're standing by your friend, it appears you gave validation or safe haven to something that he has uttered that is racist, even if you don't agree?”
An emotional Osbourne asked Underwood for an explanation of what Morgan had said that was racist.
“I will ask you again Sheryl, I've been asking you during the break and I'm asking you again, and don't try and cry ‘cause if anyone should be crying it should be me,"” Osbourne said.
“Educate me! Tell me when you have heard him say racist things,” she continued.
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Underwood answered her co-host, saying that “it is not the exact words of racism, it's 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, that's what makes it racist," Underwood said. “But right now, I'm talking to a woman I believe is my friend and I don't want anybody here to watch this and think we are attacking you for being racist.”
In the wake of the exchange, CBS has announced an investigation into the situation.
“We are committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace," the network said in a March 12 statement. “All matters related to the Wednesday episode of The Talk are currently under internal review.”
The day the network made the announcement, Underwood, 57, admitted on The Steve Harvey Morning Show that her conversation with Osbourne caught her off guard.
“I thought we were having a conversation like we normally do. But then I got a feeling that, wait a minute, this ain't what it usually is,” Underwood explained. “I also got another feeling of, okay, Sheryl, this is time for you to step up into the leadership position … this is time for you to show what you're made of, and in a personal way. No matter what somebody says about you, I can show you something better than I can tell you.”
Osbourne later issued a public apology.
“After some reflection, after sitting with your comments & sitting with my heart, I would like to address the discussion on The Talk this past Wednesday," Osbourne said on Twitter. “I have always been embraced with so much love & support from the black community & I have deep respect & love for the black community.”
“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. I panicked, felt blindsided, got defensive & allowed my fear & horror of being accused of being racist take over,” Osbourne continued.
“There are very few things that hurt my heart more than racism so to feel associated with that spun me fast. I am not perfect, I am still learning like the rest of us & will continue to learn, listen and do better,” she added.
Stay tuned for the outcome of the investigation!