Sheryl Underwood delved into her heated encounter with her former co-host of “The Talk” Sharon Osbourne last month, disproving Osbourne’s claim that she was “created” by seniors on CBS.
The comedian discussed the incident over a new three-part episode of his podcast, “The World According to Sheryl,” saying Osbourne’s accusation that CBS executives had written questions about why Underwood made him Osbourne was not certain.
“What additional questions arose from an executive?” asked one of Underwood’s podcast co-hosts during Saturday’s episode.
“None … none, none,” Underwood replied.
Osbourne had caught fire after calling Underwood during an episode of “The Talk” on March 10, when the comedian questioned her about her support for Piers Morgan, who publicly questioned Meghan Markle’s experiences of dealing with racism and contemplating suicide during her time as a royal worker.
The program continued a prolonged hiatus after the exchange, as the network conducted an internal review. CBS announced on March 26 that Osbourne’s behavior on the set “did not fit” the network’s values and that the panelist had decided to leave the show.
(See a clip of the exchange below).
Osbourne had complained to Entertainment Tonight days after her tense encounter with Underwood that she was baffled by her host’s question, and accused executives of having set her up by not preparing her properly, which she said is the usual practice. Osbourne called herself a “sacrificed 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 I say to myself, ‘I’ve been prepared’ ”.
In an interview with Variety published last month, Osbourne accused CBS executives of sending orders for Underwood to ask him about Morgan’s attacks on the Duchess of Sussex.
Elsewhere in her podcast, Underwood explained that she was a moderator that week and that she owned letters while asking Osbourne to follow all the “other segments” and “other topics” that were going on that day.
He said he jotted down ideas on what to order during the segment while talking to an executive producer.
“So I start writing on my card and I’m talking to an executive producer; it’s not that they tell me what to say, but that they help me. form what I mean, and that’s just before the show starts, ”Underwood recalled. “So I write on a marker,‘ I’d like to start with this and then I’d like to go to this and go there. … Sounds good? Sound succinct? It doesn’t sound argumentative, does it? ‘”
“I’m thinking from the producer’s side and I think,‘ How do you guide this conversation? “, Added.
CBS noted in its statement on Osbourne’s departure that it “found no evidence that CBS executives orchestrated the discussion 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 that broadcast, as it was clear that the co-hosts were not adequately prepared by the staff for a complex discussion. and sensitive career, “the statement continued.
On March 12, Osbourne issued an apology, addressed to “anyone of color,” for his behavior on the air earlier this week. Elsewhere in his interview with ET, he said he had apologized to Underwood and that the comedian “has not returned.”
Underwood said in his podcast over the weekend that he hadn’t spoken to Osbourne since they were on set. Asked if Osbourne had called her, Underwood said “no.”
“I’ve been looking through my phone …” Underwood joked.
Underwood said later in the episode that he had received some text messages, though he did not specify who they were.
“I want to be clear, they sent me text messages … people … and I don’t know if they want their business on the street, but I’ll tell you [I was reached out to] say, ‘I understand what’s going on and I know you need your space,’ “Underwood added later.” Those were text messages. “
Since then, Osbourne has told the Daily Mail that he sent a text message to Underwood to apologize and shared what he said were those texts.
Osbourne also said he had apologized to Underwood in person in the locker room after the meeting. Underwood said in an episode of her podcast last month that Osbourne had approached her immediately after the exchange and that the two “crushed him.”
Following the Osbourne airstrike (he demanded that Underwood “educate” her on how Morgan’s behavior as a racist might be perceived), journalist Yashar Ali reported that she had been accused of making racist comments. and homophobes about his former comrades.
Osbourne denied these allegations through his publicist Howard Bragman, who called them “lies” and “reformulation of history.”
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