Meghan Markle

‘The Talk' on Hiatus Amid Internal Review of Exchange Involving Sharon Osbourne

Following a heat conversation between Sharon Osbourne and Sheryl Underwood over Piers Morgan's Meghan Markle comments, "The Talk" will take a hiatus

Sharon Osbourne
Randee St. Nicholas/CBS via Getty Images

CBS daytime talk show "The Talk" is taking a hiatus, E! News has learned.

The show is breaking in order to review a tense exchange from a March 10 episode in which Sharon Osbourne fiercely defended her friend and fellow former "America's Got Talent" judge Piers Morgan after his controversial comments about Meghan Markle.

Morgan, a vocal critic of the Duchess of Sussex, came under fire for comments he made on "Good Morning Britain" about Markle's candid March 7 interview with Oprah Winfrey, in which she spoke about her mental health struggles, including suicidal thoughts. Morgan slammed the former "Suits" star, saying, "I wouldn't believe her if she read me a weather report, and the fact that she's fired up this onslaught against our royal family, I think is contemptible."

Morgan quit "Good Morning Britain" after its network, ITV, received many complaints from viewers.

Piers Morgan addressed the media on Wednesday after he left the show “Good Morning Britain” following comments he made about Meghan Markle.

Osbourne defended Morgan on "The Talk," upsetting her co-host Sheryl Underwood, who accused her of giving "validation" to Morgan's stance on the Duchess by publicly supporting him.

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Osbourne responded to Underwood's comments, asking, "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?"

An insider for "The Talk" told E! News that the exchange was very upsetting for those who worked at the show.

"Several employees reached out to HR after Wednesday's show because of the way Sharon Osbourne handled the conversation," the insider said. "Sharon's defense of Piers Morgan felt like a triggering moment and it was very difficult for many of the staff to watch."

CBS issued a statement to E! News after the controversial episode aired.

"We are committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace. All matters related to the Wednesday episode of The Talk are currently under internal review."

If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide please call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text TALK to 741741 or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.

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