THE Talk’s hiatus has been extended once again after Sharon Osbourne’s fight over “racism” accusations.
The daytime talk show has been in a tailspin after Sharon and cohost Sheryl Underwood squabbled over a difference of opinions about Piers Morgan’s comments of Meghan Markle’s interview.
A source exclusively tells The Celeb Report: “The hiatus has been extended until at least next Tuesday or Wednesday. Sharon’s exit negotiations are still ongoing.”
Deadline previously reported that The Talk’s unplanned hiatus will last longer than expected.
The CBS program was originally put on hiatus last week for two days, though was extended with the plan of returning to tape live shows on Tuesday, March 22 – a return that still has not occurred.
Fans are also itching for the The Talk to return, as they’ve made their thoughts clear on Facebook.
One person wrote: “Please bring out Talk back. Let’s settle this trouble by talking!? That’s the name of the show! The Talk!!…”
Another added: “I really hope that when the show returns that we see a united Sheryl and Sharon.
“I hope that behind the scenes, they are healing their friendship and can come back on and show all of us that friends can have a heated conversation, learned from each other, and move past it….”
However, if the show is to return without Sharon, it may cost the network, as another insider exclusively told The Celeb Report: “She is furious about the slew of accusations made about her and is refusing to bow to the mounting pressure to leave.
“As far as she is concerned, she apologized over the on-air debate and hasn’t done anything else wrong.
“She has a contract and they will have to pay her off if they want her to leave and that will cost them tens of millions. If bosses expect her to go quietly, they have got another thing coming.”
The source added: “It has formed a rift behind the scenes of the show but Sharon has made it crystal clear that she wants to put this behind her and carry on.”
The program was shaken up after Sharon, 68, made it clear she was in ex Good Morning Britain anchor Piers’ corner after he slammed the Duchess of Sussex’s interview with Oprah Winfrey.
During the sit-down Meghan claimed she felt suicidal while pregnant – she and her husband, Prince Harry, also alleged senior figures in the Royals questioned the color of their first born Archie’s skin before the pair welcomed him.
However, Sharon’s cohost Sheryl, 57, did not see eye-to-eye with her after Ozzy Osbourne‘s wife said she was supporting Piers’ “freedom of speech.”
The cohosts exchanged words as Sharon ended up in tears during the heated segment.
The duo also refused to apologize on air, as Sheryl and fellow cohost Elaine Welteroth had their reasons, a previously revealed exclusively by The Celeb Report.
While Sharon eventually clarified her position and views on Instagram, she did end up blaming the on-air fight on the network, claiming she was “blindsided.”
The show is now said to be “under internal review.”
Many have come for Sharon after her defense of Piers, including her ex-costar Holly Robison Peete, who claimed the mother of three said she was “too ghetto” for the program – an accusation that the former America’s Got Talent judge denied.
Another insider told The Celeb Report exclusively: “Sharon is facing an awkward showdown with show bosses and CBS executives concerning her future on the hit show The Talk in the next few days…”
Sharon seems to be preparing herself for said “showdown,” according to PageSix, as she’s lawyered up.
The outlet revealed: “Sharon is reportedly being represented by lawyer Jeremiah Reynolds of the LA law firm Eisner in her negotiations with CBS.
“Jeremiah Reynolds has a very strong reputation as a trial and arbitration lawyer and is handling all her negotiations with CBS.”
Former The Talk cohost Leah Remini also claimed Sharon has a history of bullying and racist language.
Leah accused Sharon of referring to ex cohost Julie Chen as a “wonton” and “slanty eyes” on a regular basis.
