Sheryl Underwood on Osbourne Feud: 'We Can't Let You Drag Her'

Sheryl Underwood recently discussed a significant on-air dispute with Sharon Osbourne, which unfolded in 2018 and led to Osbourne's eventual exit from 'The Talk.' Speaking on 'The View,' Underwood characterized the incident as a "pretty big spat" and a "feud over race." The conflict originated from discussions following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's interview with Oprah Winfrey, where Markle alleged experiencing racism within the Royal Family. Osbourne became involved in defending her friend Piers Morgan, who had disputed Markle's claims. Underwood advised Osbourne to cease criticizing Markle, particularly concerning issues of racism and mental health. Underwood also mentioned her intent to detail the event further in her upcoming book, noting she "was sitting in the middle of it looking around like, what the hell?" The incident caused a temporary halt in 'The Talk's' broadcasts before its eventual cancellation. Underwood expressed hope for continued positive relations, stating, "I still believe there's some love between me and Sharon Osbourne."

During the discussion, Underwood reflected on why she didn't reach out immediately after the spat, citing concerns about privacy and potential misunderstandings in their industry. She noted that Osbourne had recently expressed regret over apologizing to Underwood, who stated, "I believe that when she's hurt, she's really hurt." Longtime 'The View' personality Joy Behar humorously interjected that "God canceled that show," referring to 'The Talk.' Underwood and Behar then engaged in a lighthearted exchange about past on-air situations. Whoopi Goldberg concluded the segment by offering advice on conflict resolution, emphasizing direct communication like making a phone call to address issues, regardless of the other party's reception.