Entertainment Tonight presenter Kevin Frazier suggested that a number of prominent black women in Hollywood come together to help Sharon Osbourne “learn” about race.
It failed spectacularly on him.
Frazier interviewed Osbourne Tuesday about the fallout from her explosive on-air discussion with her “The Talk” co-host Sheryl Underwood, who saw the show be pulled off the air pending an investigation.
He posted a photo of the chat on Instagram, tagging both Osbourne and Underwood as former ‘Talk’ co-host Holly Robinson Peete – who accused Osbourne of calling her ‘ghetto’ – and actress and outspoken advocate for racial justice Amanda Seales. He also tagged Meghan Markle, who was the subject of the fiery exchange with Underwood, and “Bachelor” host Chris Harrison, who is embroiled in his own racing scandal.
He suggested they have a “summit” saying, “at some point we should all get to a point where we can sit together and have a difficult conversation about the race. I don’t know what happens next for Sharon Osbourne. , but I do know it’s time for a meaningful conversation, a learning moment. She’s done. “
Osbourne liked the post, but it didn’t go down well with several black actresses, including “Insecure” star Seale.
‘You must be crazy. How about your energy to provide a safe space for those on the show who have been terrorized by its rampant racism / classism / xenophobia, ”she replied.
Frazier retorted, “Have been doing that for years … I wanted to hear your thoughts, that’s why I tagged you, I respect your opinion, I’m trying not to get in trouble.”
“Well, you missed the mark this time, BROTHA,” said Seales.
Meanwhile, Sherri Shepherd sarcastically said she must have “ missed ” Osbourne’s ‘public apology’ to Underwood and another former co-host Julie Chen Moonves, whom she has been accused of calling ‘wonton’ and ‘slanty-eyes,’ which Osbourne denies. . . Shepherd added, “Don’t think Sharon is almost ready.”
Frazier eventually deleted the message. On Wednesday he tried to make his intentions clear. “I suggested there would be a place, in the mainstream, where people (like Sheryl and Holly) could express their feelings without being muffled or muzzled (and I can tell you there were people who were working to muffle Hollys. [sic] voice after she left), ”he said.
Peete, who believes Osbourne may have had a hand in getting her fired from the show in 2011, appreciated the follow-up post.
“Thank you for acknowledging the way I was treated after being released from ‘The Talk’ in such an unnecessary, petty way. Sharon was part of that. She knows it. Whatever she says. Now it’s all coming out and I don’t think she’s nearly ‘ready’ for any kind of accountability. That’s just my opinion, ”she said.
Seales, on the other hand, reposted his original post, telling him, “Stop the kumbaya tactic. It’s so easy to protect black women. “
“It is not the responsibility of black people to teach white people how not to be a bastard. Okay, them [bleeping] made-up racism. Why it [bleep] we have to teach you how not to be racist, ”she said in a five-minute video. “Expecting us to do that and as a black person trying to rally people in that space is … just silly and also disrespectful of our time and energy.”
She added that Underwood and Robinson Pete “have been the victims of this woman’s racist bullsh-t” and said, “So basically you’re asking the victims to come and have a nice little chat with their attacker so that this bitch can feel better? No, we’re not on rehabilitation training for white people. “
A representative for “ET” and Frazier did not comment.