Sheryl Underwood, star of the CBS daytime talk show The TALK, is allegedly responsible for creating a “toxic work environment” on set and has even walked out of meetings, Media take Out is hearing.
According to a new report, the atmosphere on the CBS show is “tense” and Sheryl, 61, often appears disconnected from the other hosts.
It comes as the daytime show is winding down and set to end in less than a month with a final episode airing on December 20.
Now, insiders allege just how bad things have been at the studio with Sheryl and her co-hosts Akbar Gbajabiamila, Amanda Kloots, Natalie Morales, and Jerry O’Connell.
One source claimed told the British Sun, “Sheryl is unreasonable to deal with. She’s forced out Carrie Ann [Inaba] and Sharon [Osbourne] and the staff is still reeling from it.
“She refuses to speak to people and walks out of meetings if they don’t go her way and creates a toxic work environment by refusing to take direction from higher-ups.
“She was the catalyst for both Carrie Ann and Sharon Osbourne’s exits.”
“The other four current hosts are lovely and so kind to everyone but Sheryl has always made things really difficult and caused the show a lot of problems,” the insider explained.
“The network has done absolutely nothing to stop this behavior.”
A show insider this week commented on the awkward situation on set, claiming Sheryl is often sitting alone, texting, and “keeps to herself while the others will get up to talk to each other.”
“When just Jerry is out and walking around, the vibe is super fun. When Sheryl came out it seemed noticeably tenser with both crew and the on-camera cast,” the source added.
“Everyone gets more serious too, it’s just a different vibe. Almost like when the principal is in the classroom and everyone has to be on their best behavior and can’t relax.”
The alleged tension dates back to around 2021, when a source claimed to The U.S. Sun that Sheryl would not allow producers to speak to her directly.
“When any of the producers have questions about their segments they are required to go through Sheryl’s personal producer,” the insider claimed at the time.
“This arrangement came from Sheryl after learning staff was complaining to HR that she was mean and combative to deal with.”
[social_warfare]