After the heated discussion between Sharon Osbourne and Sheryl Underwood about racism that took place on The Talk, CBS has launched an internal investigation into the situation.
During Wednesday’s episode, Osbourne said she was being labeled a racist after tweeting her support for friend and former Good Morning Britain host, Piers Morgan.
Morgan received backlash for his comments regarding Meghan Markle’s interview with Oprah Winfrey. While on air, he began to call her claims of feeling suicidal over racist treatment from the Royal Family into question, implying she was simply making it up for attention.
When his co-host Beresford called out his remarks, Morgan left the room enraged - while still live on air. Following the incident, Morgan quit the morning news show.
"Did I like everything he said? Did I agree with what he said? No," Osbourne said on the show, referring to Morgan's remarks. "It's not my opinion...I support him for his freedom of speech, and he's my friend."
Underwood explained to Osbourne that some of her remarks might be seen as racist, as they could be easily interpreted as support for Morgan.
"What would you say to people who may feel that while you're standing by your friend, it appears you gave validation or safe haven to something that he has uttered that is racist, even if you don't agree?" she said.
As the two co-hosts continued their discussion, Osbourne began to get emotional. The British native asked Underwood to explain the moment Morgan said something racist.
"I will ask you again Sheryl, I've been asking you during the break and I'm asking you again, and don't try and cry 'cause if anyone should be crying it should be me," Osbourne said. "Educate me! Tell me when you have heard him say racist things."
Underwood responded, "It is not the exact words of racism, it's the implication and the reaction to it. To not want to address [the way she was treated] because she is a Black woman, and to try to dismiss it or to make it seem less than what it is, that's what makes it racist."
Underwood felt the need to reiterate that Osbourne was her friend and didn’t want people watching to think everyone was attacking her.
After the discussion was broadcasted on The Talk, Osbourne issued an apology for supporting Morgan’s behavior:
On Friday’s episode of The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Underwood talked about why she felt the need to question Osbourne about her remarks.
"I just wanted to be a better example for people that are working just a regular old job, that had to compose themselves," she said.
"We are the only race of people that carry the race wherever we go, and we're responsible for that," Underwood explained. "And I want to thank everybody all over the world in social media, everybody in radio, television, news, everywhere, everybody that reached out."