Sharon Osbourne refuses to fall without a fight while “The Talk” investigates allegations of racism and toxicity on the CBS program.
A source told us that Osbourne now expects to be fired, but he will not be without a big paycheck.
“The chain will have to pay her considerable compensation to keep her quiet after that,” said the source.
“She could write a book, she would do a world of interviews. She knows where all the bodies are buried. “
We were told that joint producers and executive producers Heather Gray and Kristin Matthews may have to take part in the race because they are not supposed to have prepared Sharon for the heated confrontation with Sheryl Underwood that started the drama.
About the showrunners, a second source said: “They blew it. Not preparing Sharon was a fatal mistake. It destroyed the show.
“They may also have to suffer the fall. The team is waiting for the announcement that Sharon is over, but in the meantime, they are still pointing the finger, ”said the source.
Meanwhile, there continues to be a race behind the scenes to throw several members of the show’s production under the bus.
A third source told us that a different executive from CBS was the person who called for the presenters to engage in a broader discussion with Osbourne about her support for Piers Morgan’s controversial comments about Meghan Markle.
“Both [co-hosts] Elaine [Welteroth] and Sheryl [Underwood] were informed 30-35 minutes [before going on air] that there was an executive decision to make it a [longer] talk and they [the co-hosts] they said Sharon knew, ”said the source.
But Osbourne said in interviews that he felt ambushed and did not know that the subject would be a complete segment. She also said that she also feels that CBS took her by surprise for creating an explosive TV.
And Osbourne’s subsequent media tour isn’t helping at all. The source said: “CBS is very unhappy that Sharon made up a story saying that all of this is personal retaliation against her for defending Piers because CBS was the home of the interview with Meghan Markle,” added the third source.
“The implication is that CBS was trying to protect its investment in [Harry and Meghan] interview and tried to make her a martyr, [and that] is not helping her on the net. It is so far-fetched. Sharon is in this situation because of his actions and nothing else. Ultimately, it will compromise whatever happens to it in the future. “
Page Six previously reported that co-host Elaine Welteroth and a hairdresser complained about the supposedly “racially insensitive and hostile environment” on the show.
A source said: “Elaine Welteroth and her hairstylist complained to HR about Sharon Osbourne’s recent exchange with Sheryl Underwood. They said they are not comfortable working in a racially insensitive and hostile environment. “
CBS sent a memo to all hosts, crew and other employees, asking anyone with complaints to raise or report their concerns through an anonymous reporting line.
Then came a bombshell report that – according to former “The Talk” host Leah Remini – Osbourne had referred to ex-presenter Julie Chen, who is Chinese-American, as a “wonton” and “eyes” strait “and former fellow presenter Sara Gilbert, who is a lesbian, as a“ py licker ”during her time together on“ The Talk ”.
But the friendly Osbourne denied calling Chen by any racial epithet, calling the claim “bullshit”.
“Everyone has an opinion or a story like the Wonton story. It’s like, fuck your f-king wonton story. Fuck it, ”said Osbourne in an interview.
CBS and Osbourne representatives made no comment on Page Six.