“The Talk” is entering a brief hiatus after Sharon Osbourne last week attacked critics and defended British TV personality Piers Morgan, who is under attack for his attacks on Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.
A CBS spokesman told NBC News in an email that the panel was taking a break this week, as the network conducts an internal review of the heated discussion between co-host Sheryl Underwood and the wife of rocker Ozzy Osbourne.
On Wednesday, Osbourne said he should not be criticized for supporting his friend Morgan, who left the set of ITV’s “Good Morning Britain” and left the show.
Morgan, a longtime critic of Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry, rejected the American actress’s revelations during the couple’s interview with Oprah Winfrey that she had thoughts of suicide.
“I feel like I’m about to be put in the electric chair because I have a friend that many people think is racist, which makes me a racist,” said Osbourne in “The Talk”.
Underwood, who is Black, gently repulsed Osbourne and even prefaced a question from his British colleague with a compliment: “I’ve never seen anything come out of you other than, ‘If I don’t know, I’m willing to learn. If I leave in a certain way, I am corrected. ‘”
“What would you say to people who can feel that, while you’re next to your friend, it looks like you’ve given validation or a safe haven to something he said is racist, even if you don’t agree?” Asked Underwood.
Osbourne said he did not believe that Morgan’s rejection of Meghan’s admission to the struggles for mental health was racist. Osbourne then spun, claiming that she was being unfairly called a racist.
While trying to break, Underwood got his tongue stuck out.
As she said, “Well, we’re back,” Osbourne fired back at Underwood.
“Well what?” she asked. “Well what?”
Osbourne continued to press Underwood as soon as the show came back from the break.
“I’m going to ask you again, Sheryl. I’ve been asking you during the break. I’m asking you again. And don’t try to cry, because if someone should be crying, it should be me,” she said. “This is the situation. Tell me where you heard him say … educate me, tell me when you hear me say racist things! Educate me, tell me!”
Underwood explained that Morgan’s instant rejection of Meghan’s claim seems less than genuine.
“Not wanting to approach it because she is a black woman and trying to reject it or make it seem less than it is, that’s what makes it racist,” said Underwood.
She then tried to calm Osbourne.
“But now, I’m talking to a woman who I believe is my friend and I don’t want anyone here to see this and think that we are attacking you for being racist,” said Underwood.
On Friday, Osbourne claimed that she was “surprised” with questions about Morgan asked by producers during the heated discussion with Underwood.
About eight minutes before the show started on Wednesday, Osbourne said the runners called her and asked if it was okay to talk about Morgan.
“I said, ‘Sure, they can ask me anything.’ But then I go in there, I say my article and Sheryl (Underwood) turns around with a serious face, looks at me and is reading a card with questions, ”said Osbourne to Variety.
“I was so hurt, taken by surprise and surprised 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, ”she said.
According to Variety, a CBS spokesman declined to comment on Osbourne’s latest statements and referred the publication to the network’s statement released on Friday afternoon.
“We are committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful work environment. All matters related to Wednesday’s episode of “The Talk” are currently under internal review, “the network said.
On Thursday, Osbourne apologized for the comments during the concert on Twitter.
“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 offended and / or for anyone who feels confused or discouraged by what I said, I really am sorry, ”she tweeted.
“I panicked, I felt taken aback, I became defensive and I 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 has driven me crazy! I am not perfect, I continue to learn like all of us and I will continue to learn, listen and do better ”, she said.
David K. Li contributed.