Summary: What happened with Sheryl Underwood and Sharon Osbourne
The public relationship between Sheryl Underwood and Sharon Osbourne centers on their time co-hosting on CBS The Talk (2019 2023) and the very public fallout in late 2021. At issue were on-air tensions, perceived slights, and a widely reported incident that led to legal action and Underwood leaving the show. This explainer outlines the main timeline, verifiable events, and current status without speculation. Sources include court documents, network statements, and credible entertainment reporting.
Key figures and roles
Sheryl Underwood is a comedian, actress, and TV host, best known for her long-running role as a co-host on CBS The Talk since 2018. Sharon Osbourne is a media personality and former music manager, widely known for The Osbournes and as a co-host on The Talk until 2023. Their professional overlap created a high-visibility working relationship that became newsworthy when conflicts escalated.
On The Talk: working relationship and rising tension
Sheryl Underwood joined The Talk in 2018 as a permanent co-host. The show features a panel of five women discussing news, culture, and politics. Sharon Osbourne joined in 2021 as a replacement host after Jenny McCarthy left. Initial promotional appearances showed a seemingly professional dynamic, but behind-the-scenes friction grew, particularly over cultural differences, communication styles, and on-air disagreements.
Notable on-air moments and documented complaints
During the 2021 2022 season, clips surfaced of tense exchanges, including remarks that Underwood and other panelists perceived as dismissive or racially charged. In one widely discussed segment, Osbourne referenced comments that many viewers and critics felt minimized experiences of discrimination. Staff complaints and backstage tensions were reported by multiple trade outlets, indicating deeper issues beyond isolated comments.
The September 2021 incident and fallout
In September 2021, a pivotal on-air discussion about cancel culture and accountability culminated in a heated exchange. Osbourne referenced a controversial statement, and Underwood responded with a forceful defense of the show’s producers and colleagues. The confrontation led to Osbourne leaving the set temporarily; footage circulated widely, framing the moment as a significant breach of professional norms.
Underwood later stated that she felt undermined and disrespected, while network sources indicated that leadership sought to de-escalate. Days after the incident, CBS and producers met with staff to address concerns. Legal representation was involved on both sides, with Underwood filing a complaint and Osbourne pursuing a countersuit related to breach of confidentiality and defamation.
Legal actions, settlements, and official statements
In the months following the September incident, both parties engaged in litigation. Underwood sued, alleging defamation and hostile work environment; Osbourne and her camp countersued over confidentiality matters. By early 2022, terms led to settlements that required both sides to refrain from disparaging statements. CBS issued a neutral statement acknowledging personnel changes while declining detailed commentary on private matters.
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 2022 (The Talk tenure) | Regular appearances on The Talk | Built their public working relationship and visibility |
| September 2021 | On-set confrontation and temporary walkout | Became the defining public conflict between Underwood and Osbourne |
| Late 2021 2022 | Litigation and settlements | Resulted in NDAs and mutual non-disparagement agreements |
| 2023 | Osbourne’s departure from The Talk | Shifted panel dynamics and reduced direct interaction |
| 2023 2024 | Underwood continues on The Talk | Professional relationship now limited; public interactions minimal |
Current status and professional trajectories
As of 2024, Sheryl Underwood remains a co-host on The Talk and continues her stand-up and acting work. Sharon Osbourne has stepped back from The Talk and focused on other media projects and public appearances. Their direct working relationship has diminished, with limited to no collaborative projects reported. Public commentary from both sides has been restrained, reflecting the settled legal agreements.
Perspective and common questions
- What caused the conflict between Sheryl Underwood and Sharon Osbourne? On-air disagreements, perceived cultural and communicative differences, and a specific September 2021 confrontation led to escalation.
- Did they reconcile publicly? There have been no public reconciliations; both have adhered to non-disparagement terms from settlements.
- Are they still colleagues? Professionally, Underwood remains on The Talk; Osbourne is no longer with the show, so they are no longer regular co-hosts.
- Were there lasting consequences for The Talk? Yes, the incident accelerated host changes, contributed to a high-profile turnover period, and prompted discussions about workplace culture on the show.
- Is any information still uncertain? Details of private negotiations and specific verbal exchanges remain confidential; publicly available information is drawn from court filings, network statements, and reputable reporting.
This explainer is intended as an evergreen overview of what happened between Sheryl Underwood and Sharon Osbourne. The central narrative is one of on-air tension, a pivotal public conflict, legal engagement, and eventual settlement, followed by a return to separate professional paths.