Sharon Osbourne claims that CBS executives apparently ordered the producers of “The Talk” to have their co-hosts “drop it” with questions about their controversial tweet defending Piers Morgan.
“I blame the network for this,” said Osbourne Variety on Friday night. “I was taken by surprise, totally taken by surprise by the whole situation. In my 11 years, this was the first time that I was not involved with the planning of the segment. “
Osbourne said that about eight minutes before the show started on Wednesday, the producers called and asked her if it was okay if they asked about Morgan.
“I said, ‘Sure, they can ask me anything.’ But then I go there, say my article and Sheryl (Underwood) turns around with a serious face, looks at me and is reading a card with questions, ”she said. “I was so hurt, taken by surprise and stunned by what was being asked and not prepared. I was honestly in shock. I felt like I was facing a firing squad. I felt like a lamb extended for slaughter. … They kept me there for 20 minutes. “
When they went to the break, Osbourne said he “begged them to stop, to change the subject.”
His heated conversation with Underwood went viral.
“I am a big girl. I’m a professional, ”she said. “However, CBS surprised me. I don’t know why they did this to me. The showrunners told me that they came from executives to do this to me ”.
A CBS representative declined to comment on Osbourne’s latest comments, but said Variety to the network statement released on Friday afternoon: “We are committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful work environment. All matters relating to Wednesday’s episode of “The Talk” are currently under internal review. “
Osbourne issued an apology on Twitter after his heated argument with Underwood.
“After some reflection, after sitting down with your comments and sitting down with my heart, I would like to address the discussion on ‘The Talk’ last Wednesday. I have always been embraced with a lot of love and support from the black community and I have deep respect and love for the black community. For any person of color that I have offended and / or for anyone who is confused or discouraged by what I said, I am really sorry, ”she tweeted. “I panicked, I felt taken aback, I became defensive and allowed my fear and horror of being accused of being a racist to take control. There are very few things that hurt my heart more than racism, so feeling associated with it made me spin faster! I am not perfect, I am still learning like all of us and I will continue to learn, listen and do better. “
She said Variety on Friday: “I’m under construction. I want to learn, I am willing to learn. “
“I want to make this world a better place, but I don’t like to be placed in a situation for which I am not prepared and to question myself. I felt like I was on a witness stand with two prosecutors on either side of me. Do you want to ask me questions? I am a team player. Let me know what the questions are so that I can prepare myself. I am a book open to everyone ”.
Osbourne’s most recent comments come just hours after former “The Talk” host Holly Robinson Peete tweeted: “I’m old enough to remember when Sharon complained that I was too ‘ghetto’ for # theTalk … so I was gone ”.
“It’s an absolute lie – a 110 percent lie,” said Osbourne Variety. “I cannot allow anyone to be fired … And it is not a term that I use. This is not in my vocabulary. I don’t speak like that. The only ghetto that I know of is the Warsaw Ghetto and I think it was the only time that I referred to something like that. “