Sheryl Underwood delved into her heated meeting with her former co-host of “The Talk” Sharon Osbourne last month, disputing Osbourne’s claim that she was “founded” by CBS’s top executives.
The comedian discussed the incident in connection with a new three-part episode of his podcast, “The World According to Sheryl,” saying that Osbourne’s accusation that CBS directors wrote questions for Underwood to ask Osbourne was not true. .
“What additional questions came from an executive?” asked one of the co-hosts of the Underwood podcast during Saturday’s episode.
“None … none, none,” Underwood said.
Osbourne came under fire after shouting at Underwood during an episode of “The Talk” on March 10, when the comedian asked her about her support for Piers Morgan, who publicly questioned Meghan Markle’s experiences of treating racism and contemplating suicide during her time as a working royal.
The show took an extended break after the exchange, as the network underwent an internal review. CBS announced on March 26 that the behavior on Osbourne’s set did not “align” with the network’s values and that the panelist decided to leave the show.
(See a clip of the exchange below.)
Osbourne had complained to Entertainment Tonight a few days after her tense meeting with Underwood that she was wary of her co-host’s question and accused the directors of setting it up, not preparing it properly – which she said it is common practice. Osbourne called himself a “sacrificial lamb.”
“Sheryl asked me these questions, which I didn’t know – and they were written questions – and then Elaine’s. [Welteroth] reading his questions and saying, “I was ready.” ”
In an interview with Variety published last month, Osbourne accused CBS directors of sending orders for Underwood to ask her about Morgan’s attacks on the Duchess of Sussex.
Elsewhere in his podcast, Underwood explained that he served as moderator that week and that he had books while asking Osbourne to keep track of all the “other segments” and “other topics” that were happening that day.
She said she noted down ideas for what to ask during the segment while talking to an executive producer.
“So I start writing on my card and talk to an executive producer – not that they tell me what to say, it helps me. form what I mean by that is right before the show starts, “Underwood recalled.” So I write on a marker, ‘ “Sounds OK? Sounds succinct? It doesn’t sound argumentative, does it?”
“I think on the part of the producer and I think,‘ How do you guide this conversation? “She added.
CBS said in a statement about Osbourne’s departure that it “found no evidence that CBS directors orchestrated the conversation or blinded any of the hosts.”
“At the same time, we recognize that network and studio teams, as well as showrunners, are responsible for what happened during the broadcast, because it was clear that the co-hosts were not properly prepared by staff for a complex and sensitive discussion that involves the race “, the statement continued.
On March 12, Osbourne apologized to “anyone of color” for her behavior on the air earlier this week. Elsewhere in the interview with ET, she said she apologized to Underwood and that the comedian “did not return.”
Underwood said in her podcast over the weekend that she hadn’t spoken to Osbourne since they were on set. Asked if Osbourne called her, Underwood said “no.”
“I looked on the phone …” Underwood joked.
Underwood said later in the episode that he had received several text messages, although he did not specify from whom they came.
“I want to be clear, I was written by … people … and I don’t know if they want their business on the street, but I’ll tell you [I was reached out to] to say, “I understand what you’re going through and I know you need your space,” Underwood later added. “They were text messages.”
Since then, Osbourne has told the Daily Mail that he sent a message to Underwood apologizing and shared with those who said those texts were.
Osbourne also said he apologized to Underwood personally in the dressing room after the meeting. Underwood said in an episode of her podcast last month that Osbourne approached her immediately after the exchange and that the two “smashed” her.
Following Osbourne’s blast – she asked Underwood to “educate” her on how Morgan’s behavior could be perceived as racist – journalist Yashar Ali reported that she was accused of making racist comments and homophobic about her former colleagues.
Osbourne denied the allegations through his publicist Howard Bragman, who called them “lies” and “reforming history.”
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