Sharon Osbourne ‘will not take being called a racist’ as she addresses The Talk exit with Bill Maher

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Sharon Osbourne said she ‘will not take being called a racist’ as she sat down with Bill Maher following her exit from The Talk.

The 68-year-old left the daytime talk show following a clash with co-host Sheryl Underwood over the comments that Piers Morgan made about Meghan Markle, after her and Prince Harry’s bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview.

In uncomfortable scenes, an increasingly emotional Osbourne told Underwood to ‘educate me’ on racism and said: ‘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? What does it gotta do with me?’

Osbourne had a one on one interview in studio with Bill Baher on The Real Time on Friday, and said she was ‘angry and hurt’ following her departure.

Maher asked: ‘So he was called a racist and lost his job and you were called a racist and lost your job. Do I have it right?, with Osbourne replying: ‘You got it right. That’s exactly how it went.’

‘Who is the racist and why? And this is what I’m trying to figure out,’ Maher said.

The former X Factor judge said: ‘Me too, me too. I’ve been called so many things in my life. I am so used to being called names but a racist is one I will not take.’

Osbourne told Maher that she was concerned about the impact of so-called cancel culture on those who, unlike her, are not in positions of power to defend themselves.

She said: ‘What about the people that are cut from the knees down and they can’t afford to go get lessons on what’s politically correct and how to talk to people? What happens to them?

‘It’s not fair because it isn’t about being a racist, it’s about maybe not knowing what is correct and woke for your language for that day, because it changes from day to day, what is correct and what isn’t.’

Osbourne continued on to say that being able to express differences in opinion is essential, telling Maher: ‘She is entitled to her opinion, Piers is entitled to his and that’s what it’s all about.

‘You’re entitled to have a disagreement [and] discuss it in a normal way. But disagreeing with somebody does not make you a racist in my book.’

Maher addressed claims that Osbourne used derogatory language against Julie Chen and Sara Gilbert, calling her former co-hosts ‘disgruntled ladies’.

The host said: ‘We don’t condone any bad language anywhere but I’m just saying — first of all, we’re talking about four ladies. I know that men are dogs, and men are dogs…’

Osbourne said: ‘And we’re b****es. And that’s the way it goes, that’s the way it goes. We’ll go, “Jesus, did you see what she was just wearing?” And then you go, “Oh hi, you look great.” You know, we’re b****es and that’s the way it is. And this has brought it all out.’

Maher, 65, went on to dismiss the notion that Osbourne needed to re-educate herself, saying: ‘How about, “I shouldn’t do that, I won’t do it again”. I mean, you did issue an apology for this and it was like, I read it at the words like, “I’m going to reeducate myself.” No, we could all do better, of course … but this idea and culture now that people need to “reeducate” themselves, indoctrinate themselves…

‘I’m sorry, I’m 65, you’re 68. I know who I am! I don’t need reeducation. Do you need reeducation? 68, you’ve been all over the world, you’re married to a rock star, you’ve been with all the A-listers and rock ‘n’ roll. Like, f*** ’em. Like you need to, “Race, tell me all about it.” It’s fantasy.’

A statement from The Talk confirmed that Osbourne was leaving the show following her row with Underwood, saying: ‘Sharon Osbourne has decided to leave The Talk. The events of the March 10 broadcast were upsetting to everyone involved, including the audience watching at home. As part of our review, we concluded that Sharon’s behaviour toward her co-hosts during the March 10 episode did not align with our values for a respectful workplace.’

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