Journalist Yashar Ali cities a number of sources, including former The Talk co-host Leah Remini, who allege that Osbourne would use racist and homophobic slurs on set. Osbourne would call the Chinese-American Chen "wonton" and "slanty eyes" and the lesbian Gilbert "p*ssy licker" and "fish eater," reports Ali. He also reports that Osbourne had her lawyers send Holly Robinson Peete a cease and desist letter for Peete's tweet accusing Osbourne of saying she was too "ghetto." As Variety pointed out, in a 2012 interview, Remini alleged that Osbourne called her and Peete "ghetto." Ali, citing "11 sources who spoke to me in 2018 and again in recent days about remarks Osbourne has made over the years," adds: "Though Osbourne has spoken abusively for years with little to no consequence, she’s facing significant scrutiny for the first time in her career as a TV personality. The Talk has been put on hiatus as its co-hosts past and present air grievances on Twitter, and Osbourne is threatening at least one of them with litigation. But sources say Osbourne has a long history of racist language and bullying and it’s time she owns up to it. Ali's report comes as CBS is investigating The Talk after Osbourne's defense of Piers Morgan led to an emotional episode last Wednesday. The Talk is taking a brief hiatus and is expected to return with live shows on Wednesday. UPDATE: CBS has extended The Talk's hiatus to next Tuesday following Ali's report. Meanwhile, Ali has posted video Osbourne referring to Remini as "ghetto" on The Talk in 2011. Ali has also posted a statement from Osbourne's publicist, saying: "The only thing worse than a disgruntled former employee is a disgruntled former talk show host. For 11 years Sharon has been kind, collegial and friendly with her hosts as evidenced by throwing them parties, inviting them to her home in the UK and other gestures of kindness too many to name."
TOPICS: Sharon Osbourne, CBS, The Talk, Holly Robinson Peete, Julie Chen, Leah Remini, Sara Gilbert, Daytime TV