The Talk Returns to Television Without Sharon Osbourne, Healing Begins with Episode on Race

The Talk has been on hiatus after a heated discussion sparked between hosts Sheryl Underwood and Sharon Osbourne following Osbourne’s public support of TV personality Piers Morgan. The show returned without Osbourne. In addition to the incident with Underwood, allegations surfaced that Osbourne made previous racist and homophobic remarks about her colleagues.

Journalist Yashar Ali reported that sources said that Osbourne has a long history of racist language and bullying, and it was time for her to own up to it. Ali highlighted the matters following Oprah Winfrey’s interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in March. After the duchess said life in the royal family and the racism she faced made her suicidal, Morgan reportedly said that he did not believe a word the duchess said. Osbourne spoke up by tweeting her support of her friend. Afterward,a debate with Underwood began as she questioned why Osbourne would support someone who was “racist in his stance against Meghan Markle.”

As the smoke from the conversation cleared, The Talk’s Twitter account included an April 12 message, in preparation for its return.

Host Sheryl Underwood shares a message from backstage as “The Talk” returns today. Please join us for a very important hour where we discuss openly what happened and how we hope to move forward. pic.twitter.com/ltq0a3iI51

— The Talk (@TheTalkCBS) April 12, 2021

Host Sheryl Underwood invited viewers to please join the show for a very important hour. It was mentioned that an open discussion about what happened, and how they hoped to move forward, would be a part of the show’s return.

“We haven’t been together at the studio since the week of March 10th, and as you may know, during our break, Sharon decided to leave ‘The Talk.’ We need to process the events of that day and what happened since, so we can get to the healing,” Underwood said, while further explaining what was occurring with the show’s changes.

Underwood also stated that over the next hour, there would be an honest discussion about what occurred, while exploring feelings. She added that it would be shown how anyone can become more comfortable discussing important issues and having difficult conversations.

“And by the end of the hour, we want everyone to feel empowered and ready to move forward, so let’s start talking,” Underwood also said.

According to CNN, CBS also released a statement about the March incident.

“The events of the March 10 broadcast were upsetting to everyone involved, including the audience watching at home. As part of our review, we concluded that Sharon’s behavior toward her co-hosts during the March 10 episode did not align with our values for a respectful workplace,” CBS said in a statement released to CNN. “We also did not find any evidence that CBS executives orchestrated the discussion or blindsided any of the hosts.”