The charges were made Tuesday in a story written by journalist Yashar Ali, citing former “Talk” host Leah Remini, who spoke officially in the article, and a number of unidentified sources.
CNN did not independently verify the allegations. A spokesman for Remini confirmed the veracity of his statements as reported by Ali and declined to make further comments when connected by CNN.
“The only thing worse than a disgruntled former employee is a disgruntled former talk show host,” Osbourne spokesman Howard Bragman said in a statement to CNN in response to the allegations raised in Ali’s report. ” For 11 years, Sharon has been kind, collegial and friendly to his hosts, as evidenced by giving them parties, inviting them to his home in the UK and other gestures too kind to name.Sharon is disappointed, but unperturbed and hardly surprised with the lies, the reformulation of history and the bitterness that come out at this moment. “
The allegations became public as soon as the CBS daytime talk show went on a brief hiatus after a heated debate last week between co-hosts Osbourne and Sheryl Underwood over Osbourne’s support for his longtime friend, Piers Morgan.
The “Entertainment Tonight” interview appears to have taken place before Ali’s story was published and Osbourne – who apologized on Twitter after his confusion with Underwood – talked about feeling taken aback during the now famous race.
“Sheryl turns around and asks me a question and … she was reading it on a card. It wasn’t on my cards,” said Osbourne. “And then [another co-host] Elaine [Welteroth]is reading her questions and I’m like, ‘I was raised.’ They are arming me. My anger was like, ‘I can’t believe this, I am your sacrificial lamb.’ “
Osbourne said that moments before the show started, one of the runners asked if she would mind answering questions about Morgan and how she would feel if “maybe one of the [the women] does not agree with you. “Osbourne said that she replied,” I will answer whatever they want me to answer.
Underwood and Welteroth are black. Osbourne said he tried to apologize to Underwood, for whom Osbourne said he had “nothing but respect and so much affection”, but got no response.
“I’m not a racist and if you can’t attack your friend who happens to be black, it makes me racist because I said certain things to my friend, but did I say it on camera?” Osbourne said. “I will continue to apologize to Sheryl, even if I decide not to return, I will still continue to apologize to Sheryl.”
CNN contacted Underwood and Welteroth for comment. CNN also contacted CBS to comment on Osbourne’s statements about the feeling of being established.
“The Talk”, which also includes co-host Carrie Ann Inaba and Amanda Kloots, is currently on a production hiatus “as we continue to review these issues,” said CBS. Osbourne told Entertainment Tonight that she is not sure if she will return to the show.