Sharon Osbourne was criticised for “gaslighting” and “weaponising her whiteness” over her defence of Piers Morgan. (CBS)
Sharon Osbourne’s show The Talk has been taken off air by CBS while an investigation takes place over her comments on racism and defence of Piers Morgan.
Osbourne tweeted in support of Morgan when he faced blistering backlash for his comments about not believing “a word” Meghan Markle said after she opened up about having suicidal thoughts while battling racist abuse from the UK media.
Later appearing on her US show The Talk, Osbourne went even further, declaring she felt like she was “about to be put in the electric chair because I have a friend who many people think is racist”, and telling co-host Sheryl Underwood, who is Black, “don’t try and cry, because if anyone should be crying it should be me.”
In response to her outburst CBS, which broadcasts the show, has taken The Talk off air for two days to conduct an internal investigation.
Announcing the investigation, 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 review.”
Sharon Osbourne has apologised for her behaviour on The Talk, but Piers Morgan is refusing to back down
On Friday (12 March), Sharon Osbourne issued a public apology after she was accused of “weaponising her whiteness” during the episode of The Talk.
She shared on Twitter: “After some reflection, after sitting with your comments and sitting with my heart, I would like to address the discussion on The Talk this past Wednesday.
“I have always been embraced with so much love and support from the Black community and I have deep respect and love for the Black community.
“To anyone of colour that I offended and/ or to anyone that feels confused or let down by what I said, I am truly sorry.”
Osbourne said she was “panicked” and “blindsided”, and allowed her “fear and horror of being being accused of being racist to take over”.
However Piers Morgan has, unsurprisingly, refused to back down.
Responding to Osbourne’s apology, he said: “Sharon’s been shamed and bullied into apologising for defending me against colleagues accusing me of racism because I don’t believe Meghan Markle’s bulls**t.
“This is where we’ve reached. I demand an apology from those The Talk bullies for their disgraceful slurs against ME.”
Sharon’s been shamed & bullied into apologising for defending me against colleagues accusing me of racism because I don’t believe Meghan Markle’s bullsh*t.
This is where we’ve reached.
I demand an apology from those @TheTalkCBS bullies for their disgraceful slurs against ME. https://t.co/kguRA8KVPJ— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 12, 2021
So @CBS has yanked The Talk off air while it investigates the ‘scandal’ of @MrsSOsbourne defending me when @sherylunderwood said I was ‘racist’ for disbelieving Meghan Markle.
The REAL scandal is me being branded a racist for refusing to believe a liar. pic.twitter.com/KPu8ZB2YKo— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 15, 2021
In response to the show’s hiatus while the investigation takes place, he added: “So CBS has yanked The Talk off air while it investigates the ‘scandal’ of Sharon Osbourne defending me when Sheryl Underwood said I was ‘racist’ for disbelieving Meghan Markle.
“The REAL scandal is me being branded a racist for refusing to believe a liar.”