Amid the ongoing investigation into Sharon Osbourne’s comments during a heated discussion between her and fellow “The Talk” host Sheryl Underwood, CBS is extending the daytime talk show hiatus until “at least next week. “, according to a source with the subject.
CBS had previously announced that it would launch an investigation into the airborne comments, in which Osbourne defended Piers Morgan’s comments about Meghan Markle. Morgan expressed skepticism about Markle’s comments to Oprah that she felt suicidal and experienced racism within the royal family.
“Educate me, tell me when you heard him say racist things?” Osbourne told Underwood during the show last Wednesday. “I feel like I’m about to be put in the electric chair because I have a friend, who many people think is a racist, so does that make me a racist?”
Osbourne said Variety Last Saturday, she felt “surprised” by the segment, claiming that CBS executives had engineered the conversation without her contribution. She apologized via Twitter after the exchange on the air, saying in part: “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. “
The production break was scheduled to end on Tuesday, March 23.
CBS released a statement this week reiterating its commitment to inclusion: “CBS is committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful work environment in all of our productions. We are also very attentive to the important concerns expressed and the discussions that are taking place about the events on ‘The Talk’. This includes a process in which all voices are heard, complaints are investigated and appropriate actions are taken when necessary. The program will extend its production hiatus until next Tuesday, while we continue to review these issues. “
Deadline first reported the news of the length of the hiatus.