CBS is extending its hiatus of “The Talk,” canceling its live shows for the rest of the week until Tuesday, as it conducts a review related to a recent heated exchange between hosts Sharon Osbourne and Sheryl Underwood.
Friday and Monday’s shows had already been pre-empted by the NCAA tournament, but on Sunday, the daytime talk show abruptly paused production for the next two days after CBS announced that it would launch an investigation into comments made on-air in which Osbourne defended Piers Morgan’s comments about Meghan Markle.
“Educate me, tell me when you have heard him say racist things?” Osbourne told Underwood, among other things. “I very much feel like I’m about to be put in the electric chair because I have a friend, who many people think is a racist, so that makes me a racist?”
She apologized via Twitter on Thursday to “anyone of colour that I offended and/or to anyone that feels confused or let down by what I said,” and later told Variety that she felt “totally blindsided” by CBS over the on-air exchange.
According to a statement from a CBS spokesperson:
“CBS is committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace across all of our productions. We’re also very mindful of the important concerns expressed and discussions taking place regarding events on ‘The Talk.’ This includes a process where all voices are heard, claims are investigated and appropriate action is taken where necessary. The show will extend its production hiatus until next Tuesday as we continue to review these issues.”