THE Talk executives are “in final negotiations” to hire Jerry O’Connell to replace ousted Sharon Osbourne despite some hosts “not wanting to work with him.”
Jerry, 47, has been co-hosting alongside Sheryl Underwood, Amanda Kloots and Elaine Welteroth for The Talk’s Men of May special.
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The Sun can exclusively reveal the comedian “is in final negotiations” to replace Sharon, 68, after she quit the show in March over her on-air fight with Sheryl, 57.
But the source claimed staff “feels hiring a straight white male will get the show more backlash.”
The insider said: “Some staff wanted Sharon replaced by a female Latina star like Eva Longoria, Gina Rodriguez or Gloria Estefan. That door should be opened. It’s time for a Latina voice to have a platform.
Elaine also “fought” for a Latina woman to “join the show.”
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The source added: “She has even recommended some of her friends like Julissa Bermudez to fill the empty seat.”
But a separate show insider told The Sun: "The hosts are having a ball on set and behind the scenes with Jerry. They have even posted about it on social media."
The insider noted a tweet from Elaine that read: "AGREEEED! We love us some @MrJerryOC!!"
She also posted a video singing Mariah Carey's Heartbreaker with Jerry and Justin Baldoni.
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The Sun previously reported Jerry was the “frontrunner” to replace Sharon, though Sheryl and Elaine were not on board with the new addition.
The source claimed: “On camera everyone is lovey-dovey and laughing together, but off camera Sheryl and Elaine have raised some serious concerns.
"Sheryl thinks Jerry is fine for the Men of May month producers planned, but beyond that she feels we are telling the audience that women cannot behave themselves and be friends.
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“It's not the narrative Sheryl wants out there and she thinks it would further damage public perception.”
As for Elaine, she wants to focus less on the light-hearted and humorous topics discussed with Jerry on the show.
The source continued: “Elaine wants to use her voice to address important conversations like Black Lives Matter, under representation in the workplace and police brutality, not surface conversations about Katy Perry not shaving her legs.
“Elaine feels she was hired to have deep meaningful conversations and now the show is abandoning that plan to have silly conversations.”
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“The powers that be keep saying to hire Jerry and book him week after week.”
Though Jerry is a big name, the source said: “The truth is that no one can replace Mrs. O. Sharon was the centerpiece of the show.”
A second insider said: "The hosts are enjoying 'The Talk's Men of May' with Jerry and the fun and entertaining discussions they've been having on the show.
"The Talk will continue to address important, timely topics as well.”
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The cast shakeup started when Sharon addressed her decision to stand by her longtime friend Piers Morgan's criticism of Meghan Markle, resulting in an on-air fight with Sheryl, on the March 10 episode.
Sharon felt Sheryl was insinuating she is racist because of her decision to support her friend.
The show took a month-long hiatus to conduct an internal review.
CBS then announced Sharon had quit the show in March.
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In April, Carrie Ann Inaba was out for two weeks because of side effects from her various autoimmune conditions.
She then announced she is taking a leave of absence from the CBS show.
The leave of absence comes amid her alleged feud with co-host Sheryl.
A source claimed to The Sun: “Sheryl is thrilled Carrie Ann, 53, is gone for now.
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“Now Sheryl feels the show can assemble their dream team of cohosts to give The View a run for their money, instead of the slow walk The Talk has been doing.”
The source continued that Sheryl “loves moderating” the show and "being the focal point of every conversation.”
The source added: “She didn't think Carrie Ann did a good job of leading the show.
“Sheryl feels she is much more capable and has a more dynamic personality for the job.”
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Carrie Ann also allegedly felt “stressed” after Sharon left.
A source told The Sun at the time: "The hosts on the show get along well. Carrie Ann’s current and past absence only had to do with her autoimmune conditions.”
The Sun also previously reported that another name being thrown around was actress and dancer Jenna Dewan.
Fans in The Talk Facebook group are mixed over Jerry, as one said in favor of him joining the show: “I love Jerry as co- host!! I also love how they all get along. I think Sheryl is doing a great job as lead host!"
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A second commented: “Jerry is a great host!!! He should stay. Good to have a man on there!!!"
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But one viewer disagreed: "You need to get Jerry O'Connell off there. He's been on the show every day. I'm not crazy about him.”
A second wrote: “Enough with Jerry O’Connell. He is so irritating."
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