THE Talk staffers are certain Sharon Osbourne “will not return to the show,” as she negotiates her exit from the CBS series with network executives.
Sharon, 68, fought with her co-host Sheryl Underwood, 57, while defending her friend Piers Morgan over his harsh criticism of Meghan Markle on last Wednesday’s episode, as the original cast member claimed she was “blindsided” by the segment.
A source exclusively told The Celeb Report Sharon is “not expected to return.”
The insider claimed: “The lawyers seem to be battling out regarding money, letting her spin it, non-disparagement and more. It’s all happening at the highest levels of the network.
“It’s all out of control and taking too long.”
Reps for Sharon and CBS did not respond to The Celeb Report’s request for comment.
The Talk, which features Sharon, Sheryl, Carrie Ann Inaba, Elaine Welteroth and Amanda Kloots, is now “under internal review” with the network issuing a statement that they are “committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace.”
The show canceled all episodes this week, The Celeb Report previously reported.
Sharon opened last Wednesday’s episode defending her decision to stand by her friend Piers, who quit Good Morning Britain after co-host Alex Beresford slammed him for his scrutiny of Prince Harry’s wife.
Sharon told her co-hosts: “Why is it that because I supported a longtime friend and work colleague for years, people go ‘well you must be racist because he’s racist.’
“No. I support his freedom of speech. I’m not racist and neither is Piers racist. What have I ever said about anybody that’s racist? It’s not within me. It’s not in my soul.”
Sheryl disagreed with Sharon’s comments, as she claimed Piers showed “racial implications with the way he spoke about Meghan” the last time he appeared on their talk show.
Sheryl continued to explain: “It’s not the exact words of racism it’s the implication and the reaction to it. To not want to address that because she is a Black woman and to try to dismiss it, that’s what makes it racist.
“But right now I’m talking to a woman that is my friend and I don’t want anybody here to watch this and say we’re attacking you for being racist.”
An emotional Sharon then rolled her eyes before saying: “I think it’s too late. I think that seed’s already sewn.”
On Thursday’s episode, Sharon and Sheryl did not issue any apologies.
A source told The Celeb Report both sides “refused to apologize,” though Sharon did issue an apology on her Instagram page.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Sharon claimed: “They’d set me up. The producers never told me.
“If they’d said to me, listen, the execs here aren’t happy with what’s gone on with you and Piers – we’ve got to try and sort this situation out, the girls are going to ask you these questions, blah, blah. Bring me in on it. Don’t blindside me.
“If they’d said these execs aren’t happy, I’d have worked on it with them. But give me a chance. Don’t bloody surprise attack me on national TV live for 20 minutes when it was meant to be four other segments.”
Sharon added that while she hasn’t been fired yet, she is “sure” it’ll happen.
She told the publication that she hopes the CBS investigation will determine who gave the order to “blindside her.”
The Celeb Report reported executives and staff have been “divided” over Sharon’s future on the talk show.
The insider said: “Some execs want Sharon gone. Some higher execs have argued that the show cannot survive without Sharon since she is the only known star.”
The Celeb Report also reported producers are “furious” Sharon has made them the “target.”
The insider previously told The Celeb Report: “The staff is so angry that their livelihoods have been taken away from them, and their jobs are in jeopardy.
“The Talk can’t come back from this.”
Since the segment aired, former co-hosts Leah Remini and Holly Robinson Peete have come forward with racist allegations against Sharon.
Leah, who appeared on Season One, spoke to journalist Yashar Ali with claims that Sharon has a history of racist language.
Leah, 50, claimed Sharon said: “’I mean, who the f**k does slanty eyes think she is? She shouldn’t be pillow-talking with our boss.’”
She allegedly said of Sara Gilbert, according to Leah, “’Why won’t the p**sy licker do anything about the wonton? Why won’t the fish-eater be part of this discussion? She’s the f**king executive producer.’”
Former co-host Holly also came forward and claimed Ozzy Osbourne’s wife called her “too ghetto” and had her fired from The Talk.
Sharon has denied the claims by her former co-hosts, calling the allegations against her “crap.”
