After an unscheduled hiatus, The Talk returned to CBS following the controversial episode featuring a heated between then-co-hosts Sheryl Underwood and Sharon Osbourne.
According to Page Six, things between the two got dicey during a discussion about whether British television personality Piers Morgan is racist following his rant against Meghan Markle on Good Morning Britain. The rant came in the wake of her and Prince Harry’s tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, which Osbourne attempted to defend since she and Morgan are friends.
The network launched an investigation into the situation – citing “controversy and recriminations over misconduct and claims of offensive language by Osbourne” (via Deadline) – which ultimately led her to step down from her position as co-host, a position she’s held for nearly 11 years.
Page Six reported that Underwood addressed the controversy during the show’s April 12 return after nearly a month-long break. She expressed her desire to heal after the racial argument, for which Osbourne apologized and later defended herself. Underwood told the audience that the episode would be “unlike any other we’ve had before.”
Here's why Sheryl Underwood had PTSD after the argument with Sharon Osbourne
Sheryl Underwood explained that Sharon Osbourne chose to leave The Talk in the wake of their controversial exchange (via Page Six). During the episode, co-hosts Elaine Welteroth, Amanda Kloots, and Carrie Ann Inaba joined Underwood in discussing the events with diversity expert Dr. Donald E. Grant as a moderator (via Deadline). The episode’s goal was to demonstrate how to discuss the complex topic of racism respectfully.
Underwood explained that she did not escalate things with Osbourne on the show in March 2021 because she felt she’d been having a conversation with a friend (via The Sun). However, she shared, “I feel I had to be an example for others to follow because I didn’t want to be perceived as the angry Black woman. That really scared me. I didn’t want to be that. I wanted to remain calm and focused. I just feel the trauma. I feel fearful and apprehensive. It is difficult to go back to that day because I feel the trauma. That really scared me.” The Talk co-host noted that she hoped to move past the PTSD that she felt due to that exchange.
As for Osbourne, Underwood said she hadn’t spoken with her, though she did receive a text from Osbourne that she hadn’t yet responded to due to the network investigation. Underwood revealed she had no bad blood toward her former co-host and anticipated saying “hello” the next time they see each other.
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