THE Talk is “under internal review” after Sharon Osbourne backed Piers Morgan as the network is “committed to a diverse workplace.”
The investigation comes after the former America’s Got Talent judge was accused of being “racist” for defending Piers following his criticism of Meghan Markle.
Deadline broke the news on Friday, as CBS said in a statement: “We are committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace.
“All matters related to the Wednesday episode of The Talk are currently under internal investigation.”
During Wednesday’s episode of The Talk, Sharon made it clear she was in ex Good Morning Britain anchor Piers’ corner after he slammed the Duchess of Sussex’s Oprah Winfrey interview following her comments that she felt suicidal while pregnant.
Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry, also claimed senior figures in the Royals questioned the color of her first born Archie’s skin before the pair welcomed him.
Sharon’s cohost Sheryl Underwood, 57, did not agree with Ozzy Osbourne‘s wife, who said she was supported Piers’ “freedom of speech.”
The two exchanged words as Sharon ended up in tears.
Following backlash from viewers for her support of Piers, Sharon said on Wednesday’s episode: “Why is it that because I supported a longtime friend and work colleague for years, people go ‘well you must be racist because he’s racist.’
“No. I support his freedom of speech. I’m not racist and neither is Piers racist.
“What have I ever said about anybody that’s racist? It’s not within me. It’s not in my soul.”
Sheryl disagreed with Sharon’s comments, as she acknowledged Piers showed “racial implications with the way he spoke about Meghan” last time he appeared on their talk show.
Sharon, 68, continued: “I have friends in my life and I speak up for my friend. If he ever needed me, I’d be there for him.
“But 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 that makes me a racist.”
When Sheryl said “well…” Sharon screamed: “Well? Well what? Well what?”
Sheryl then tried to go to commercial break, though the cameras caught Sharon crying on set.
The former AGT judge fired at her co-star when the show returned: “I’ll ask you again Sheryl because I’ve been asking during the break…
“Oh and don’t try to cry, if anyone should be crying it should be me! This is the situation… educate me, tell me where you have heard him say racist things. Educate me!”
Neither co-host apologized during Thursday’s episode, as HOAR exclusively reported that both sides “refused.”
The insider claimed: “Sheryl and Elaine did not want to look weak to the black community who think they went out of their way to educate Sharon. Sharon does not trust that Sheryl and Elaine wouldn’t bury her further on air.
“She does not want to apologize when she feels she was attacked on air for supporting a friend. It was an impasse and there is still tension you can cut with a knife.”
