Ex ‘The Talk’ Host Leah Remini Accuses Sharon Osbourne Of Calling Julie Chen ‘Slanty Eyes’, Said The Show Should Find ‘Another Funny Black Person’ Other Than Holly Robinson Peete + CBS Extends Show’s Hiatus

The Talk Season 1 Co-hosts (Sara Gilbert, Leah Remini, Julie Chen, Sharon Osbourne, Holly Robinson Peete, Marissa Jaret Winokur)

Ex ‘The Talk’ Host Leah Remini Accuses Sharon Osbourne Of Calling Julie Chen ‘Slanty Eyes’, Said The Show Should Find ‘Another Funny Black Person’ Other Than Holly Robinson Peete + CBS Extends Show’s Hiatus

CBS has extended The Talk’s hiatus as it continues its internal investigation over Sharon Osbourne’s controversial comments, and as more allegations against her come out.

The daytime talk show co-host became the center of controversy after she defended Piers Morgan over his comments against Meghan Markle that some deemed racist.

Former co-host Leah Remini told journalist Yashar Ali that Sharon Osbourne once called Julie Chen, who is Chinese American and also served as co-host in the past, “wonton” and “slanty eyes.”

Julie Chen, Sara Gilbert

She also allegedly called ex co-host and executive producer Sara Gilbert, who is a lesbian, ‘p***y licker” and “fish eater.”

The new accusations come after Holly Robinson Peete, who was a co-host in the first season, publicly accused Sharon Osbourne of calling her “too ghetto.”

While Osbourne responded and said it’s a “100 percent lie”, Leah Remini also said that Osbourne made comments about Holly Robinson Peete while the two were at lunch before season one began filming. Leah Remini said Osbourne was trying to convince her to join the show at the time. Osbourne allegedly said she didn’t believe Holly Robinson Peete was a fit and told Remini,

“Holly wasn’t a good person, not to trust her and that we should find ‘another Black person who is funny.’”

Peete and Remini were fired after season 1. During their time there, Osbourne allegedly tried to have them team up against Julie Chen, who she reportedly didn’t want to have any leadership role in the show. Remini said Osbourne referred to Chen and asked,

“I mean, who the f*** does slanty eyes think she is? She shouldn’t be pillow-talking with our boss.”

Chen is married to Les Moonves, who was the chairman and CEO of CBS Corporation at the time.

Julie Chen, Les Moonves

She also allegedly said of Sara Gilbert,

“Why won’t the p***y licker do anything about the wonton?”

and:

“Why won’t the fish-eater be part of this discussion? She’s the f***ing executive producer.”

She also allegedly called her Italian slurs like WOP and Guinea.

Remini said she regrets not saying anything

“Not only did I do nothing about the racism and bullying I was receiving and witnessing, I was party to it. I had to own up to my own ugly.”

She said the show was a

“toxic environment,” adding that she was

“easily manipulated into a web of high school vitriol, hatred and bullying.”

She added,

“Although being fired was devastating at that time, in part because someone we considered a friend turned on us for a show we helped to create, I am grateful for the time away to do the work I needed to do. Coming from Scientology, where racism, bullying and bigotry is taught, I had to unlearn a lot. I’m still learning and hopefully evolving. I can’t say that Sharon has focused on the work she needs to do.”

Osbourne is the only original co-host left.

Chen departed in 2018 after her husband left amid sexual misconduct allegations against him. Gilbert exited in 2019.

Sharon Osbourne’s publicist Howard Bragman has responded to the recent claims. He said in a statement,

“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. Sharon is disappointed but unfazed and hardly surprised by the lies, the recasting of history and the bitterness coming out at this moment. She will survive this, as she always has and her heart will remain open and good, because she refuses to let others take her down. She thanks her family, friends and fans for standing by her and knowing her true nature.”

The show initially went on hiatus Monday and Tuesday (March 15th and 16th) after CBS made a statement that it would look into Sharon Osbourne’s comments. Now, a representative for the network said the show will be on break for another week.

“CBS is committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace across all of our productions. We’re also very mindful of the important concerns expressed and discussions taking place regarding events on ‘The Talk.’ This includes a process where all voices are heard, claims are investigated and appropriate action is taken where necessary. The show will extend its production hiatus until next Tuesday [March 23rd] as we continue to review these issues.”

What are your thoughts on the new claims against Sharon Osbourne and the network extending The Talk’s hiatus? Comment and let us know.