CBS “The Talk” Mess: Sharon Osbourne Cuts Way Back, Two More Hosts Exit
It’s a mess at CBS’s “The Talk,” the struggling replacement for “As the World Turns.” What’s going on backstage is worse than a soap opera. I am told varying things about the second season status of co host Sharon Osbourne — a source says she will come and go over the first 14 weeks, but her time will add up just to 8 weeks. Another source says she’ll do six weeks and exit completely. In any case, viewers will see a lot less of her when the new season begins on September 6th.
Other outlets have already reported that co hosts Holly Robinson Peete and Leah Remini, who were popular and brought audience from their sitcoms, are out. It’s true. Sources say feelers have gone out to Kirstie Alley, Brooke Shields, and Lauren Sanchez as possible replacements.
A lot of the blame for so much acrimony is aimed at main host Julie Chen. One reason is that host of “Big Brother” and former anchor of “The CBS Early Show” is married to Les Moonves, head of CBS, and is an easy target.
Chen has become a lightning rod for controversy backstage. It’s ironic, too, since “The Talk” is tangled in incestuous relationships: Holly Robinson married football star Rodney Peete sixteen years ago at the Brentwood, California home of Les Moonves and his first wife, Nancy. Moonves’s attorney brother, Jonathan, represents Chen, Remini, and current exec producer Jonathan Redmann.
“Julie has destroyed all the relationships,” says a source. (Full disclosure: I see Julie Chen often in social situations and have found her to be quite charming, actually. But I don’t work with her.)
On the other hand, the network is said not sorry to see Leah Remini leave. She’s described as combative and not much of a team player. “She can be fairly abusive in meetings,” says a source. Remini is said to have a loose development deal with CBS following her hit run in “King of Queens.” That will likely end, too.
Chen has her supporters. One source insists she’s been “a total pro” and the “glue that keeps everything together. She does her homework.”
But there are the naysayers, and the list of grievances is long. According to sources, Chen has not been much of a team player. She missed Robinson-Peete’s July 23-24th charity fundraiser in L.A. “Everyone else from the show came, even Ozzy Osbourne.” When CBS wouldn’t give “The Talk” a first season wrap party, Peete hosted it at her house. Everyone came and chipped in, except for Chen.
Chen, say supporters, thought Remini and Peete were too used to the star treatment and big budgets of prime time and sitcoms. “Julie didn’t care about a wrap party. She just wanted a second season renewal.”
There is also talk of a hosts-only dinner at the Polo Lounge in the Beverly Hills Hotel for exec producer Redmann. One account has Osbourne and Redmann literally going for each other’s throats.
What seems to have happened over the course of Season 1 is that Remini and Peete bonded first against Osbourne, and then with her against Chen. Chen, the only journalist on the show, tried to stay above the fray. But one source said she was miffed that Peete got exclusive interviews with Oprah Winfrey and Justin Bieber.
Then, of course, there was the constant turnover. Since “The Talk” first replaced “As the World Turns,” it’s had three executive producers. CBS’s long time head of daytime, Barbara Bloom, left the network. Numerous reports cited Chen as the reason.
Sharon Osbourne, a source claims, told the network early on that she wanted out of her six year contract. One source says terrified show creator Sara Gilbert, a cohost, just before going live one day in March, that she was announcing her departure right then and there. She was calmed down, but then told Chen she wanted a more flexible schedule. “She said she’d go on Piers Morgan and tell all,” says a source. (Osbourne’s press rep refused to respond to emails or calls.)
The result: a compromise that will let CBS can find replacements for her, Remini, and Peete. As it is, when the show reappears on September 6th, only Chen, creator Sara Gilbert and a waffling Osbourne will be in place. Guest hosts will have to be brought in. Former guests like Kathy Hilton, Paris’s mom, have already indicated they want a shot.
“We know the clock is ticking,” said an insider.
Here’s an idea: bring back “As the World Turns.” In 54 years, they never had this kind of turmoil. And it was easier to tell the heroes from the villains.
I think “The Talk” should just be cancelled. It’s not the same great show without Leah and Holly. Rachael Ray is on at the same time and I’ve gone back to watching her. HOW REFRESHING!!! Love Rachael.
Oh….not a bad idea to bring back As the World Turns. Get rid of Chen and her fake eyelashes. LOL Naw….she’s okay, but I’m not a fan of hers.
I watch the show via tvo everyday and was sorry to here about all the trouble. Each host brings a little something to the show. Julie is more of a news anchor so if she left seems like everything wouuld be better. I will keep watching for a while to see how things go but Sharon is my favorite so once she is gone I’m sure I will be too!!!!!!!!!!!
Brainiac Les Moonves made the idiotic decision last year to cancel a show that had been an american staple for generations. AS THE WORLD TURNS had been on for 54 yrs & entertained people from all walks of life all races both genders & more countries than I know of. Those of us who were dedicated to it sadly said goodbye to atwt….If Leah & Holly are gone for good & Mrs. O is going to be given out in dribs & drabs BRING BACK AS THE WORLD TURNS!!!!
With Leah and Holly gone I will not bother watching the show—it sounds like it will be boring—bad decision!!
I loved the show, loved being the operative word – past tense! Holly, Leah, Sara and Sharon are fantastic together!!!! Frankly, Julie is a monumental bore!!! I taped the show daily but will not find the need to anymore!! I am a “TALK” fan no more!!!
Sorry to see Leah and Holly go. Sarah is so bad it’s like watching a train wreck you cannot look away wondering what Leah will do to say her horrible interview style. She was good on Rosanne but, that has long been cancelled. She needs to be behind the camera as she has a face for radio.
I watch this show to follow Holly and Leah. They are the best. Seriously Sarah stays she’s awful but Leah and Holly cover her lack perfectly. I cannot relate to Julie she always seem like she’s looking down her nose at all others.
I tape the show daily, and the 2 people that make the show worth watching are Holly and Leah. Knowing that they are leaving is a definate dissapointment. I won’t be watching once they are gone. Julie Chen is too uptight and not funny!! Sara Gilbert is too shy to be on this type of show…I thought it was a good show that Holly and Leah carried on their shoulders.
BRING AS THE WORD TURNS BACK DAMN IT!!
Well pretty much if Holly and Leah dont come back i will never watch the show again they made the show , to bad i really loved this show
i have so enjoyed the show. i know leah is feisty, BUT, that is what adds to the mix. i am sure she is no different in meetings and mapping out the show dynamics. however, they each have their own picadillos and i would miss the “mix” so much. we have such a diverse cross section of personalities. come on ladies, make it work again!!
This show is amazing but without Leah and Holly Im out because they make the show!
So mad i could scream! No one like Julie Chen. I tried. But after the brewhaha about Leah and Holly leaving now I hate Jule Chen! Loved the show but if they change it I will not watch anymore. The only change I could accept is Julie leaving!!!!
What a shame..and I’ve enjoyed all of them BUT Chen. She seems phony to me most of the time. I watched and DVR’d daily, but I won’t be watching any longer if Leah is gone. Too bad, CBS used to be the only station I watched, now with ATWT and GL gone, then this change! I’ll be watching other stations!
They should have canned Sara Gilbert, she’s lousy. I know she is the producer, but maybe she should stay in the background producing because in front of the camera (when she doesn’t have a script in front of her) she’s a total zero.
Bring back As the World Turns. This show only came about because Julie Chen was selfish enough to want another show. Since she slept with the boss she got it.
I definetly agree with Roger, the only two people that made the show entertaining was Leah and Holly; Sarah should of been gone a long time ago!
Really enjoyed the show, loved Leah, Holly and Sara. It was lively and fun,
even without Sharon and Julie. We will not be watching.
Now that Leah is leaving I promise I will not watch the talk. She is my fav hostess and should have her own show :)
I’m GLAD that they are having so many problems. They should have never taken As The World Turns off in the FIRST place. ATWT had a HUGE fan base, and for the life of me, I cannot understand why the network would take that show off and try to replace it with another one of those silly talk shows. For Pete’s sake, aren’t there ENOUGH talk shows and reality shows? Why not give the public what they WANT.
Leah is so horribly annoying. It’s not the talk. It’s Leah’s talk. She can be entertaining in small doses. Maybe they can tone it down. I don’t know if I believe the Sharon stuff. She seems to just want more time at home and why not she does 2 shows for god sakes. I like Sara the best and then Holly but wish they’d ask for Leah to tone it and stop shrieking. I do hope they all come back. As the world turns had worse rating, no? and cost WAY more?
THIS SHOW IS GOING TO BE OFF THE AIR BEFORE YOU KNOW IT BECAUSE OF THEM LETTING LEAH AND HOLLY GO. IT WILL BE DROPPED BECAUSE OF POOR RATINGS NOBODY LIKES PHONEYS AND THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING SOUNDS LIKE TO ME!!
I WON’T BE WATCHING IT AND MILLIONS OF OTHERS AS WELL!!
SIGNED,, NOT A FAN ANYMORE.
I am a loyal viewer & have told all my friends about the show. All my friends DVR the show. We are all so dissapointed about all this going on we love Leah & Holly & Sharon they bring so much fun and life knowledge (diffrent perpectives) to the show. I would personaaly not watch if they dont come back. I like Julie but not enought to watch just for her!!!! CBS should listen to its viewers !!!!!!
Bet “As the World Turns” was getting higher ratings than this hot mess!!!
I am so glad this show is a huge failure…they cancelled the greatest soap ever when they cut ATWT. That show had been around 54 yrs and the last yr. was the best ever!!! Proctor & Gamble did not even try to sell the show…just gave it the ax. What a tremendous loss for the millions of ATWT fans.
Bring Back As The World Turns but only half the characters on a full time bases which would save money. Or expand Bold & Beautiful to an hour and have another court room show.
I am so glad Leah won’t be back. She was just annoying. Holly was growing on me and I’m sorry to see her go.Sharon I can take or leave. I have not heard or seen a comment in the press on Julie Chen’s performance the day of the Casey Anthony verdict was announced live during the show. She said at the beginning of the show basically that the verdict was going to be announced soon and that they were going to announce it and not cut away ( to a network reporter). When the verdict was announced she could barely get the words out and she kind of broke down. Holly took over while she composed herself. Ok fine, Ms Chen was upset with the verdict in a very tragic case, but as the one on the show with supposed news credentials, that was not the performance a professional journalist. Ms Moonves or no, she’s the one that should go. Better yet, let’s bring As the World Turns back!
“AS THE WORLD TURNS” should not had ever been cancelled. I refuse to watch this show! I will not watch CBS at all. So whatever chaos is going on at CBS, its their own fault and they deserve it.
I agree! Bring back AS THE WORLD TURNS!!!! It was insane to can a show that had 54 years of solid, loyal-as-hell fans for another stupid talk show. I for one will never watch The Talk. Its my little way of saying goodbye to my soap. :)
Bring back As The World Turns…..Loved the soap opera for over 30 yrs. Cant wait till the Talk flops.
Sorry Nancy but I don’t agree with you that Soaps time has passed..As the World Turns and Guiding Light should never of been cancelled for The Talk and Lets Make a Deal..CBS made a big mistake by getting rid of these two shows.
I would love ATWT back on, even though several major characters have moved on. I now just started watching OLTL because The Talk was so obnoxious and I’m tired of Rachael Ray.
Other than that, it’s going to be going to cable to watch a movie or a show from there.
I do watch the other CBS soaps.
Another idea is make B&B an hour long and put in a 30 minute talk show. Maybe that would work. Prefer ATWT back, though.
I couldn’t be happier that this show is a miserable failure. Cancelling As The World Turns was a huge mistake and the audience has rebelled against CBS daytime as a result. Not too mention that the host was the completely untalented Julie Chen wife of moron Les Moonves
I have to disagree with you, Roger. I’d say the turmoil on The Talk rivals any drama we’ve seen on a soap opera to date!
I’m glad to see this show failing. I was an avid fan of ATWT and GL, and to take a show off the air that had a loyal following for 50+ years so Les Moonves’s wife could have her own talk show was disgraceful.
Honestly, I don’t know how you can say the day of soaps is over. Is anyone watching any of the other crap they’re putting on in their place? I don’t think so. And let’s face it, reality TV has the same ridiculous drama soaps do, except sadly, they’re REAL.
Bring back the soaps! This stuff is trash!
iIn the day and age of so much terrible news on the tv and over the radio, it was a nice breath of fresh air to watch this show, you could relate to almost everything and it was their laughter that added a refreshing touch to the end of the day, too bad they let these two people go.
I WILL MISS THE SHOW. WITHOUT LEAH, HOLLY AND SHARON FULL TIME THERE IS NO SHOW. I DIDN’T CARE FOR JULIE ON THE MORNING NEWS AND JUST LOOKED OVER HER ON THE TALK. I WATCHED MAINLY TO SEE SHARON IN ACTION. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THE ONLY REASON JULIE GETS THE PROGRAMS SHE DOES IS BECAUSE OF WHO HER HUSBAND IS. SHE COMES OFF LIKE SHE IS SO MUCH BETTER THEN EVERYONE ELSE. I THINK HER LEAVING THE NEWS IS ONE OF THE BIG REASONS ALL THE OTHER HOSTS WHERE LET GO. BUT THEN AGAIN THAT IS ONLY MY OPINION.
What a disappointment! The only two exciting people on the show are Leah and Holly – with them gone I agree it’s a wrap! Chen is too square, lacks spontaneity and is boring and Sarah Gilbert – just a nice pleaser with not much spunk (without Leah who is going to bring out her personality)! The guests this year were ok but to build a show on that premise is a losing battle – it lacks the intimacy that made the talk show thrive. I guess it is back to The View because a season of just Julie Chen and her monotone voice is a big let down! I hope Leah and Holly are back to watch on another station that appreciates them – BRAVO and Andy Cohen take notice –Especially Leah, she is a pistol and says it like it is!!!!- I really enjoyed her tenacity and sense of humor!
I watch the first and second segments which is where the hosts all gab. I can do without Leah, her gestures, facial expressions, yelling, all get on my nerves real quick. Her Scientology connect rubs me the wrong way too. When Sharon is talking about child rearing and her kids I tune out…what can she add, her kids never finished high school. she let them drop-out cuz it was too rough. Boo-hoo. I like Sara and Holly and would miss them if one of them gets dropped. They both seem to be level-headed and I enjoy thei take on issues though I might not agree. Julie is ok but lets face it she is there cuz of her husband.Which I really don’t want to hear how cute she thinks he is! Ugh, she’s the trophy wife. She produced the heir, she’s not going anywhere.
I am saddened that Leah and Holly will be leaving and also the fact that Sharon Osborne will be leaving. And to hear that they do not actually get along proves what good actresses they are!!! I absolutely adore Sharon. She is such a special lady!!! Leahdand Holy remind me of some friends I have had. They are fun, loving and dont care if they make a full of themselves. The show will not last without the three ladies. I also really like Sarah but she may be lost in the mix without the other three. Sorry to see this happen so soon!! Thanks to all, Pattie
Leah & Holly make the show, without them the ratings will take a nose dive. I for one will not continue to watch.
With the only two worthwhile people on the show leaving, I’d say that it’s a wrap.
Probably Les Moonves couldn’t get rid of Chen, and married her.
I loved the show each person,except julie chen bought something to the table.JULIE YOU SEEMED A LITTLE AFRAID OF YOUR HUSBAND I THINK YOU NEED TO GO OFDN THE SHOW AND EVERYONE ELSE STAY.I DON’T KNOW YOU LES BUT YOU BUT TO MUCH STOCK IN YOUR WIFE.IF EVERYONE ELSE GETS ALONG THEN YOU NEED TO OPEN YOUR EYES NOT YOUR HEART.Girls,not jilie I WISH YOU ALL WELL AND HOPE THAT SOMETHING GOOD HAPPENS TO ALL OF YOU.
I don’t watch this show,but, give up on the soaps their time has passed.
No surprise here. That show was thrown together and ill-conceived from the get go. They’ll come back for season two and that will be the end of it. CBS will expand the highly-performing soap, “The Bold and the Beautiful” to an hour and give their affiliates back one half-hour at 4:30 for early newscasts.
A sad commentary about all this bickering and infighting.
They all put on a facade that most things were peachy keen among the hosts.
Now all the dirty laundry is being revealed.
What they need is Carnie Wilson, a comic like Bonnie Hunt, somebody who can leave their attitude in the dressing room.