Sharon Osbourne refuses to go down without a fight as “The Talk” investigates claims of racism and toxicity on the CBS show.
A source told us that Osbourne now expects to be fired, but not without a huge payout.
“The network will have to pay her a hefty settlement to keep her quiet afterwards,” the source said.
She could write a book, she could do a world of interviews. She knows where all the bodies are buried. “
We are told that showrunners and joint executive producers Heather Gray and Kristin Matthews may need to take some of the fall for the race as they reportedly failed to prepare Sharon for the heated showdown with Sheryl Underwood that started the drama.
Of the showrunners, a second source said, “They screwed up. Not preparing Sharon was a fatal mistake. It destroyed the show.
“They may also have to absorb the fall. The staff are waiting for the announcement that Sharon is ready, but in the meantime they are all still pointing their fingers, ”the source said.
Meanwhile, there is still a race behind the scenes to throw several members of the show’s production under the bus.
A third source told us that another CBS manager was the person who called to have the hosts engage in a more extensive discussion with Osbourne about her support of Piers Morgan’s controversial comments about Meghan Markle.
“Both [co-hosts] Elaine [Welteroth] and Sheryl [Underwood] were notified for 30-35 minutes [before going on air] that there was an executive decision to make one [longer] conversation and they [the co-hosts] was told Sharon knew, ‘the source said.
But Osbourne has said in interviews that she felt ambushed and didn’t know the topic would be a full segment. She also said she also thinks CBS blinded her to make explosive TV.
And the subsequent media tour of Osbourne does her no service. The source said, “CBS is very unhappy that Sharon has made up a story stating that this is all personal retribution to her for defending Piers because CBS was home to the Meghan Markle interview,” added the third source.
The implication is that CBS was trying to make their investment in [Harry and Meghan] interview and tried to make her the martyr, [and that] does not help her with the network. It’s so far-fetched. Sharon is in this predicament because of her actions and nothing more. It will eventually compromise what happens to her in the future. “
Page Six previously reported that co-host Elaine Welteroth and a hairstylist complained about the alleged “racially insensitive and hostile environment” on the show.
A source said: “Elaine Welteroth and her hairstylist complained to HR about Sharon Osbourne’s recent exchange with Sheryl Underwood. They said they are uncomfortable in a racially insensitive and hostile environment. “
CBS sent a memo to all hosts, crew, and other personnel asking them to bring up anyone with complaints or report their concerns to an anonymous tip line.
Then a bombshell report surfaced that Osbourne – according to former ‘The Talk’ co-host Leah Remini, had named former Chinese-American host Julie Chen, a ‘wonton’ and ‘slanty eyes’ and after former co- presenter Sara Gilbert, who is a lesbian, as a ‘p – y licker’ during their time together on ‘The Talk’.
But the embattled Osbourne denied mentioning Chen with a racial nickname, calling the accusation “ nonsense. ”
‘Everyone has an opinion or a story like the wonton story. It’s like, get rid of your f-king wonton story. Fk off, ‘said Osbourne in an interview.
Representatives for CBS and Osbourne did not comment on page six.