Sharon Osbourne alleges CBS executives allegedly ordered ‘The Talk’ producers to ‘blind’ her co-host with questions about her controversial tweet defending Piers Morgan.
“I blame the network for that,” Osbourne said Variety Friday night. ‘I was blinded and completely blinded by the whole situation. In my 11 years, it was the first time I was not involved in segment planning. ”
Osbourne says about eight minutes before the show started Wednesday, fans called and asked her if it was okay if they asked about Morgan.
“I said, ‘Of course, they can ask me too.’ “But then I go on, I say my piece and Sheryl (Underwood) turns around, looks at me and reads from a card with questions,” she said. ‘I was just so hurt, caught off guard and amazed at what I was asked and was not prepared for. I was honestly shocked. I felt like I was in front of a firing squad. I felt like a lamb being held to slaughter. … They had me there for 20 minutes. ‘
When they went to break up, Osbourne said she “begged them to stop changing topics.”
Her heated conversation with Underwood went viral.
‘I’m a big girl. I am a professional person, ”she said. ‘But CBS blinded me. I do not know why they did this to me. The showrunners told me it comes from drivers to do this to me. ”
A CBS representative declined to comment on Osbourne’s latest comments, but referred Variety on the network statement released on Friday afternoon: “We are committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace. All issues related to the Wednesday episode of ‘The Talk’ are currently being reviewed internally. ‘
Osbourne issued an apology on Twitter following her heated conversation with Underwood.
‘After some thought, after sitting down with your comments and sitting with my heart, I want to address the discussion on’ The Talk ‘this past Wednesday. I have always been embraced with so much love and support from the Black community, and I have deep respect and love for the black community. “For anyone of color I have offended and / or for anyone who feels confused or let down by what I have said, I am really sorry,” she tweeted. ‘I panicked, went blind, defended and allowed my fears and horrors of being accused of being racist to take over. There are very few things that have hurt my heart, more than racism, so I quickly relate to it! I’m not perfect, I’m still learning like the rest of us and will continue to learn, listen and do better. ”
She told Variety Friday: “I am working. I want to learn, I am willing to learn. ”
‘I want to make this world a better place, but I do not like to put myself in a situation for which I am not prepared and have asked questions. I felt like I was standing on a witness stand with two prosecutors on either side of me. Do you want to ask me questions? I’m a team player. Let me know what the questions are so I can prepare. I’m an open book to everyone. ”
Osbourne’s latest remarks come hours after Holly Robinson Peete, former co-host of The Talk, tweeted: ‘I’m old enough to remember when Sharon complained that I was too’ ghetto ‘for #theTalk … then I’m gone. ‘
“This is an absolute lie – a 110 percent lie,” Osbourne said Variety. “I can not get anyone fired … And that’s not a term I use. It’s not in my vocabulary. I’m not talking like that. The only ghetto I know of is the Warsaw ghetto, and I think that’s the only time I’ve ever referred to such a thing. ‘