Sharon Osbourne’s US talk show has been pulled for two days, amid an “internal review” into a discussion about Piers Morgan.
The Talk, which Osbourne co-hosts, will no longer be broadcast today (15 March) and tomorrow (16 March), following a week of headlines that roped in Osbourne, Morgan, Meghan Markle and former cast member Holly Robinson Peete.
Last Wednesday (10 March), Osbourne defended Morgan over his comments about Markle’s mental health, which sparked a backlash in the immediate wake of Markle’s interview with Oprah Winfrey.
After Osbourne’s co-host Sheryl Underwood explained why Morgan’s statements about Markle had been interpreted by some as racist in nature, Osbourne indicated that Underwood was suggesting she herself was racist. On Friday (12 March), Osbourne apologised to any Black viewers she may have offended, and said that she did “not condone racism, misogyny or bullying”.
Osbourne’s apology was followed by a statement by Morgan, in which he claimed that Osbourne had been “shamed and bullied” into making an apology. He also demanded his own personal apology from the “bullies” at The Talk, and accused them of using “disgraceful slurs” against him.
Read more:
- Piers Morgan demands apology from Sharon Osbourne’s US talk show over ‘disgraceful slurs’ against him
- Sharon Osbourne apologises after criticism of The Talk racism discussion: ‘I panicked and got defensive’
- Sharon Osbourne responds to claim she had The Talk host Holly Robinson Peete fired for being ‘too ghetto’
Further allegations against Osbourne by Peete, a former co-host of The Talk, then surfaced on Saturday (13 March). Osbourne responded to the allegations on Sunday.
In a statement, CBS Television, which broadcastsThe Talk, confirmed that an “internal review” would be taking place into the Morgan discussion.
“We are committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace,” a spokesperson said. “All matters related to the Wednesday episode of The Talk are currently under internal review.”
Guests scheduled to appear on the cancelled episodes on Monday and Tuesday included journalist Elizabeth Vargas and country singer Carly Pearce.
The Talk is scheduled to return to the air on Wednesday (17 March), though it is unclear whether Osbourne will be present.
