Wthe hat happens to The discussion? Just one day after CBS announced that its daytime show was interrupted after a controversial exchange between hosts Sharon Osbourne and Sheryl Underwood have gone viral, Osbourne is now accused by former cohosts and anonymous sources of using racist and homophobic language towards her colleagues and creating a “toxic environment” on set.
The drama began on March 9, when she was Good morning Great Britain Host and Twitter provocateur Piers Morgan made insensitive remarks about Meghan Markle following her interview with Oprah Winfrey. After stating on ITV’s morning news program that “she didn’t believe a word,” Markle said of her suicidal thoughts during her time as Duchess of Sussex, Morgan launched thousands of complaints on the network and sparked an investigation by Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, before he to give up the show. . On the morrow of The discussion, Osbourne defended Morgan, whom she describes as her girlfriend, but was pressured by her fellow hosts Underwood and Elaine Welteroth, both black women, as to why she would support someone who made racist comments. .
The conversation took a hostile turn when Osbourne was visibly upset, claiming that he felt placed in an “electric chair” and urging Underwood to “educate” her about Morgan’s comments. When Underwood became tearful as he tried to explain the racist nuances of Morgan’s remarks, Osbourne scolded her for crying, saying that “if anyone should cry, it should be me.”
As we can imagine in 2021, this clip did not land very well, especially with black people, on Twitter. While some users applauded Underwood, to remain calm during the heated conversation, many expressed anger at Osbourne’s aggressive whims and wondered why black women should remain calm in the face of mistreatment of white people at work.
Since the video aired, back and forth between Osbourne, her lawyer, her former colleagues, CBS and her online critics have been almost non-stop. On Friday, the same day, Osbourne issued a long Sorry on Twitter, actress Holly Robinson Peete, who was a co-host The discussion in its first season, posted on Twitter that Osbourne had complained that she was a “ghetto” and suggested that she was involved in leaving the show. Twitter users rushed to discover one tweet from the former co-host of The discussion Leah Remini in 2012, in which the actress mentions Osbourne using the term racialized to describe her and Robinson Peete. Users also showed a video with Osbourne in 2018, saying that Meghan Markle “is not black” because “she does not look black”.
The next day, in an exclusive interview with variety, Osbourne vehemently denied the use of the word “ghetto”, although a Twitter user posted a video he used it in the show while talking to Remini. She also said she feels “blinded” by The discussionproducers in the Piers Morgan segment, claiming that he did not know they would discuss it.
On Monday, CBS responded to the catastrophe that was quickly unfolding online by announcing that they would conduct an “internal review” of the air incident between Osbourne and Underwood and will suspend the show until Wednesday. Yesterday, however, the network extended the show’s hiatus until Tuesday, after journalist Yashar Ali published a report on his Substack revealing Osbourne’s alleged use of racist and homophobic language to her former colleagues Julie Chen and Sara Gilbert. Along with other general allegations of aggression spanning decades from several sources, Remini claims in the article that Osbourne referred to Chen, who is Sino-American, as “ordinary” and “slanty-eyed,” and that he used insults. against Italians. She also made statements, which were supported by my multiple anonymous sources, that Osbourne referred to Gilbert (The discussioncreator and executive producer, in addition to the former co-host), who is a lesbian, as a “pussy spoon” and “fish eater”.
“Remini claims in the article that Osbourne referred to Chen, who is Chinese-American, as “wonton” and “slanty eyes”, as well as … he referred to Gilbert, the creator and executive producer of “The Talk”, in addition to the former co -host), who is a lesbian, as a “pussy spoon” and a “fish eater”.”
If this saga could not be stirred, Osbourne sat down with Entertainment tonight yesterday to broadcast her part of the story, but not before the latest allegations fell through. Responding exclusively to the incident with Underwood, Osbourne expressed regret for rejecting Underwood’s feelings, saying at the same time that her reaction came from a place of “pain” and “fear”.
“I wish we could continue and calmly have an adult conversation and resolve it, but I don’t know if we can,” Osbourne said. AND. “I do not know if this happened. I’d love to, but I don’t know if I really want to go back … I don’t know if I’m wanted there. ”
Throughout the frantic interview, Osbourne oscillates between expressing remorse and rationalizing his ignorance. It is unfortunate that, at this point, the television host considers it more important to stress that she is “not racist” – as she did in her argument with Underwood – than to admit that she has committed an act of wrongdoing against a person of color. In addition, the implication that she does not believe that an “adult conversation” with Underwood is possible, even if her co-host showed only patience and calm in response to her histrionics, feels representative of the preconceived notions that white people have. often about the temperaments of Black Women. It seems that what Osbourne really means by “I don’t know if we can” have a conversation is that she doesn’t really want to.
Osbourne also mentions that her other black co-host, Elaine Welteroth (at the time), is open to conversation about the show’s incident, which is ultimately Welteroth’s prerogative. But it is unfortunate how often black people have to do this type of emotional work, in addition to performing their usual duties at work.
Whether Osbourne and Underwood will be able to work together again is irrelevant, as it is hard to imagine the former – who seems more willing to jump on the ship than deal with the repercussions of her behavior – redeeming herself in the public eye after the last set. of accusations. Given the recent rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans over the past year over COVID-19, there is probably more pressure than there would be at any other time for CBS to simply switch to Osbourne based on its alleged remarks. compared to Julie Chen alone. However, Osbourne should not insult every race and sexuality or be aware of certain social issues for the network to realize that the comfort of their employees is more important than a person’s job position.
Whether or not Osbourne miraculously returns to the show, I doubt this will be the last we hear about this fiasco. As is the case with the strongest white people with problematic opinions, there will certainly be another platform available for them to be upset against the “cancellation of culture” and the “wakefulness”, if they wish.