Julie Chen Moonves spoke out about former ‘The Talk’ host Sharon Osbourne.Photo:Cliff Lipson/CBS via Getty Images; Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage
Cliff Lipson/CBS via Getty Images; Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage
Julie Chen Moonvesis speaking out about her former co-host,Sharon Osbourne.
More than two years after Osbourne, 70, exitedThe Talkfollowingbacklash for her on-air defense of her friend,Piers Morgan, Chen Moonves, 53, hasbroken her silenceon the dramatic turn of events.
In response to a fan-submitted question on Tuesday’sWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Chen Moonves said of Osbourne’s exit, “I think the whole thing was handled really horribly. It was very sad to see.”
HostAndy Cohenjumped in with his thoughts, too, as he expressed confusion as to why the issues weren’t solved on-air. “It’s a show calledThe Talk. I thought they should’ve gone on and talked it out.”
Chen Moonves, who served as a moderator for the panel series for eight years beforeher departure in 2018, added of Osbourne’s exit, “The whole thing was a horrible mess. It was watching a trainwreck.”
Sheryl Underwood, Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne, Eve and Julie Chen, hosts of ‘The Talk’ in 2015.Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images
Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images
Both of the former hosts ofThe Talkexited the CBS’ long-running panel series suddenly.
She’s since revealed in her new audio memoir,But First, God, that her exit from the CBS daytime show was a decision made for her. “That was a hard time,” she toldGood Morning Americaon Monday. “I felt stabbed in the back. I was, you know.”
As for Osbourne, her time as a host on the panel series came to an end in 2021. Trouble began when she defended Piers Morgan’s controversial remarks questioning the validity ofMeghan Markle’s discussion of mental health during her andPrince Harry’s sit-down withOprah Winfrey.
In response, her co-hostSheryl Underwoodpushed back against Osbourne’s defense of the British journalist, and the two got into aheated and emotional exchange live on air. “The fact that you don’t even want to take into consideration that [Meghan Markle’s] desire to want to end her own life is connected to her race, that dismissal makes it a racist situation,” Underwood, 59, told her co-host during the debate.
Sharon Osbourne on ‘The Talk’ in 2021.Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty Images
Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty Images
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CBS launched an internal review into the matter and Osbourneultimately exited the show.
In a statement, CBS said, “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.”
Underwood remains onThe Talk, alongside co-hostsAkbar Gbaja-Biamila,Amanda Kloots,Natalie Morales, andJerry O’Connell. The show’s 14th season iscurrently on pause amid the ongoing Hollywood writers and actors strike.
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohenairs Sunday-Thursday nights on Bravo
source: people.com
