Sharon Osbourne refuses to go without fighting as ‘The Talk’ investigates allegations of racism and toxicity on the CBS investigation.
A source told us Osbourne is now expecting to be fired but will not go without a major payout.
“The network will have to pay her a substantial settlement to keep her quiet after this,” the source said.
‘She can write a book and conduct a world of interviews. She knows where all the bodies are buried. ‘
We are told the frontrunners and co-producers Heather Gray and Kristin Matthews may have to take off from the fall for the race because they allegedly did not prepare Sharon for the fierce showdown with Sheryl Underwood who started the drama.
Of the leaders, a second source said: ‘They blew it. Failure to prepare Sharon was a fatal mistake. It ruined the show.
“It simply came to our notice then. “The staff is waiting for the announcement that Sharon is finished, but in the meantime they are all still pointing fingers,” the source said.
Meanwhile, there is a race behind the scenes to throw different members of the production under the bus.
A third source told us that another CBS manager was the person who asked the hosts to have a fuller conversation with Osbourne about her support for Piers Morgan’s controversial comments about Meghan Markle.
‘Both [co-hosts] Elaine [Welteroth] and Sheryl [Underwood] was made aware for 30-35 minutes [before going on air] that there was an executive decision to make it a [longer] conversation and them [the co-hosts] was told Sharon knows, ”the source said.
But Osbourne said in interviews that she was leading a trap and was unaware that the subject would be a complete segment. She also said she also feels that CBS has blinded her for the sake of explosive TV.
And Osbourne’s subsequent media tour does her no favors. The source said: “CBS is very unhappy that Sharon has come up with a story that says it’s all a personal retaliation on her for defending Piers because CBS was home to the Meghan Markle interview,” the third source added.
‘The implication is that CBS has tried to increase its investment in the [Harry and Meghan] interview and try to make her the martyr, [and that] does not help her with the network. It’s so far-fetched. Sharon is in this predicament because of her actions and nothing more. It will ultimately jeopardize whatever happens to her in the future. ”
Page Six reported earlier that co-host Elaine Welteroth and a hair stylist had complained about the alleged ‘racially insensitive and hostile environment’ in the program.
A source said: ‘Elaine Welteroth and her hairstylist have complained to HR about Sharon Osbourne’s recent exchange with Sheryl Underwood. They said they did not feel comfortable working in a race-sensitive and hostile environment. ”
CBS has sent a memorandum to all hosts, crew members and other staff asking them to come forward with complaints or report their concerns to an anonymous tip line.
Then came a bomb report that – according to former talk show host Leah Remini – Osbourne referred to former host Julie Chen, who is Chinese-American, as a ‘wonton’ and ‘slanted eyes’ and to former co-host Sara Gilbert, who is a lesbian, as a ‘py licker’ during their time together on ‘The Talk’.
Osbourne, however, denied that he called Chen by any racial nickname, and called the allegation ‘shit’.
‘Everyone has an opinion or a story like the Wonton story. It’s like, f – k down with your f-king wonton story. F – k down, ”Osbourne said in an interview.
Reps for CBS and Osbourne make no comment on Page Six.