Production hiatus on CBS' The Talk was extended to next Tuesday as multiple allegations of racism against co-host Sharon Osbourne are under review.
Journalist Yashar Ali reported on Tuesday Osbourne has a history of insulting former co-hosts' ethnicity and sexual orientation.
Multiple sources and former co-host Leah Remini told Ali that Osbourne called Chinese-American co-host Julie Chen, "wonton" and "slanty eyes" and out lesbian co-host Sara Gilbert, "p*ssy licker" and "fish eater."
Remini and the other sources said Osbourne's tirade against her co-hosts at the time was apparently over Chen trying to take center stage and Gilbert—who was also an executive producer—not intervening.
Remini recalled how Osbourne referred to Chen and her husband Les Moonves—who was at the head of CBS.
Osbourne allegedly lamented during a discussion in the show's first season:
"I mean, who the f'k does slanty eyes think she is? She shouldn't be pillow-talking with our boss."
She also said of Gilbert:
"Why won't the p*ssy licker do anything about the wonton?"
"Why won't the fish-eater be part of this discussion? She's the f'king executive producer."
@yahsar/Twitter
Remini additionally claimed Osbourne insulted 21 Jump Street actress Holly Robinson Peete, who was a co-host in 2010.
During a lunch conversation before the season started, Osbourne allegedly told Remini she appeared with Peete on The Celebrity Apprentice 3 and said Peete "wasn't a good person, not to trust her" and that they should "find 'another Black person who is funny'."
Osbourne was hit with growing accusations of racism after she defended Piers Morgan—who walked off the set of Good Morning Britain and quit after being called out for accusing Megan Markle of lying about her depression in her interview with Oprah Winfrey in which she discussed racist allegations leveled at the Crown and opened up about her struggles with mental health as a working royal.
The Talk co-host Sheryl Underwood—who is Black—tried explaining to Osbourne how publicly supporting the British journalist for rejecting the Duchess of Sussex's comments about her struggle with mental health verged on being racist.
After the conversation with Underwood resulted in the show's extended hiatus, Peete came forward and accused Osbourne of saying Peete was "too ghetto'' for the show – a claim Osbourne vehemently denied and argued:
"That's not in my vocabulary. I don't speak like that. The only ghetto I know is the Warsaw Ghetto, and I think that's the only time I've ever referred to something like that."
However, Ali and others found a January 2011 episode of The Talk in which Osbourne referred to Remini's Brooklyn accent as being "ghetto."
Twitter was done with Sharon Osbourne and said a hiatus was not sufficient.
Osbourne's publicist Howard Bragman denied all accusations and painted her as a victim in a statement to Ali.
He wrote:
"The only thing worse than a disgruntled former employee is a disgruntled former talk show host. For 11 years Sharon has been kind, collegial and friendly with her hosts as evidenced by throwing them parties, inviting them to her home in the UK and other gestures of kindness too many to name."
"Sharon is disappointed but unfazed and hardly surprised by the lies, the recasting of history and the bitterness coming out at this moment. "
"She will survive this, as she always has and her heart will remain open and good, because she refuses to let others take her down. She thanks her family, friends and fans for standing by her and knowing her true nature."
Osbourne tweeted a general apology towards the Black community after defending Morgan's remarks.
She did not mention her attack on Underwood.
"To anyone of color that I offended and/or to anyone that feels confused or let down by what I said, I am truly sorry."
"There are very few things that hurt my heart more than racism so to feel associated with that spun me fast!"
CBS did not address Ali's report but the network did release a statement to Variety, saying:
"CBS is committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace across all of our productions. We're also very mindful of the important concerns expressed and discussions taking place regarding events on 'The Talk'.''
"This includes a process where all voices are heard, claims are investigated and appropriate action is taken where necessary. The show will extend its production hiatus until next Tuesday as we continue to review these issues."
According to Page Six, Osbourne and Underwood have not yet reconciled.
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