Sharon Osbourne is on the tail end of criticisms after attempting to defend her friend Piers Morgan following his controversial comments regarding Meghan Markle. 

The heated debate sparked off during the Wednesday, March 10, episode of the daytime television talk show “The Talk.” Co-hosts Osbourne and Sheryl Underwood dove into a debate over why Osbourne was taking sides with her “friend” Morgan following his explosive exit from “Good Morning Britain,” as well as the comments he made about Markle’s mental health. 

(L-R) Sharon Osbourne and Sheryl Underwood. “The Talk”/Screenshot

Underwood asked her fellow co-star, what she would say to people who may perceive her allegiance to Morgan as a form of “validation or safe haven to something that he has uttered that is racist, even if you don’t agree.”

Earlier this week Osbourne took to her Twitter account where she showed her support for Morgan saying, “I am with you. I stand by you. People forget that you’re paid for your opinion and that you’re just speaking your truth.”

Osbourne clarified that she did not agree with Morgan’s doubts about Markle’s alleged thoughts of suicide but instead was supporting a close friend’s freedom of speech. She explained that she genuinely did not understand how Morgan’s comment could be deemed racist. Osbourne noted that she did not find it fair that she was accused of being racist for merely defending her friend. 

“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?” the host expressed. “What does it gotta do with me? How could I be racist about anybody or anything in my life?”

When the ladies returned from a commercial break, a tearful Osbourne demanded that Underwood explain why Morgan was considered racist, to which she calmly responded, “It was not the exact words of racism, it’s the implications and reaction to it.”

She added, “To not want to address that she is a Black woman and to try to dismiss it or to make it seem less than what it is, that’s what makes it racist.” Underwood made it clear that she didn’t want viewers to perceive this as an attack on Osbourne for being racist, but the co-host scoffed at the notion, saying, “It’s too late. I think that seed’s already sowed.”

Underwood restated that she wasn’t accusing Osbourne of being racist, but the host mumbled, “Oh, please,” maintaining that she didn’t understand how Morgan’s comments were racist.

Viewers reacted to the explosive conversation on their social media platforms, including one Twitter user who wrote, “Sharon Osbourne is a perfect example of why it is futile to go out of your way to NOT call someone racist.” They added, “You can’t reason with or educate them. Just say it with yo chest, let them sit with that and go on about your business. 💅🏾 #thetalk.”

Others called out Osbourne’s behavior suggesting that the television network offer her diversity training. “Sharon osbourne’s aggression towards sheryl underwood on the talk needs more attention,” another person commented.

“I truly feel bad for Sheryl,” a third expressed. “She could not be more tactful and patient with Sharon yet all she got in return was hostility and aggression. This was painful to watch and listen to. #TheTalk.”