‘The Talk’ going on hiatus following Sharon Osbourne's defense of Piers Morgan
The co-host apologized for defending her friend Piers Morgan after he made controversial remarks about Meghan Markle
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"The Talk" is going on a short hiatus, Fox News has learned.
The CBS talk show canceled its episodes on Monday, March 15, and Tuesday, March 16, according to Deadline, to probe further into the heated conversation that occurred last week when co-host Sharon Osbourne defended her friend Piers Morgan after he slammed Meghan Markle for her tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey.
"We are committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace," CBS said in a previous statement to Fox News. "All matters related to the Wednesday episode of 'The Talk' are currently under internal review."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}After Osbourne made her controversial comments, co-host Sheryl Underwood responded, "While you are standing by your friend, it appears that you are giving validation or safe haven to something that he has uttered that is racist."
PIERS MORGAN BACKED BY SHARON OSBOURNE AFTER LEAVING 'GMB' SET, EXITING SHOW: 'I AM WITH YOU'
Morgan quit his job at Britan's ITV last week, after receiving intense backlash for saying on-air that he didn't believe Markle had suicidal ideation.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Osbourne explained that while she doesn't agree with Morgan's opinion, she supported his voicing it.
CBS is reviewing last Wednesday's episode of 'The Talk' which featured Sharon Osbourne clarifying her earlier support of Piers Morgan. (Getty Images)
"He doesn't want to understand how Meghan was treated was racism and then says ... 'I don't see it as being racist -- I don't believe what she's going through' -- it's that white entitlement, privilege that makes it racist upon itself," Underwood stated. "So if you're saying 'I stand with you,' how do you address people who say then you are standing with racism? I'm not saying that you are."
SHARON OSBOURNE APOLOGIZES FOR DEFENDING PIERS MORGAN AMID MEGHAN MARKLE DEBATE
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Co-host Elaine Welteroth said it would have been an opportunity for Osbourne to "stand up for anti-racism."
"When we give passes or give space to people who are saying damaging, harmful things, what we're kind of doing is [permitting] it," the former magazine editor said. "And I think that's what people are reacting to."
Elaine Welteroth, Carrie Ann Inaba, Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Underwood, and Amanda Kloots, hosts of the CBS series 'The Talk.' (Randee St. Nicholas/CBS ©2021)
Osbourne then asked: "So if I like Piers and he's seen as racist, I'm racist? Is that what you're saying?"
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}After the episode aired, Osbourne apologized on Twitter for her comments and to "anyone of color that I offended and/or to anyone that feels confused, or let down by what I said."
She said she was "panicked, felt blindsided [and] got defensive."
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"There are very few things that hurt my heart more than racism so to feel associated with that spun me fast! I am not perfect, I am still learning like the rest of us & will continue to learn, listen and do better," Osbourne's statement continued.
Fox News' Melissa Roberto contributed to this report.