Osbourne writes, ‘Money is not the reason I’m not returning.’
Pretty soon, we’re going to need a scorecard to keep up with the non-stop judging changes on our favorite reality competition shows. The latest shuffle came as a surprise on Tuesday when “America’s Got Talent” panelist Sharon Osbourne surprised her fellow adjudicators and network by announcing that she is leaving the program.
“My darling @HowardStern, money is not the reason I’m not returning to @nbcagt, it’s because …,” she wrote. And that’s it. Osbourne didn’t elaborate on why she was leaving the show she joined in 2007 and the NBC brass appeared to be thrown off by the sudden news.
Sharon Osbourne
@MrsSOsbourneAccording to the Associated Press, NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt told reporters at the Television Critics Association gathering on Tuesday that there was no warning from “The Talk” host and wife of rocker Ozzy Osbourne.
Howard Stern Judging ‘America’s Got Talent’ Brings Mixed Reactions
“This is coming out of context and sort of spontaneously, and we don’t even know what’s going on,” Greenblatt said. “And it’s probably much ado about nothing.” An unnamed person familiar with the production said Osbourne, 59, has a multi-year contract with the show, now in its seventh season.
The Osbourne tweet appeared to be in response to one posted on Monday on the account for new panelist Howard Stern’s satellite radio show. “#AGT update: @HowardStern isn’t sure if he’ll do another season and says Sharon Osbourne may not come back unless she gets more money,” read the tweet. Stern joined the show this year, replacing departed CNN talk-show host Piers Morgan, joining a trio that includes old friends Osbourne and comedian Howie Mandel.
Spokespeople for Osbourne and Stern did not comment on the controversy, while NBC entertainment president Paul Telegdy said that he was “thrilled” with Stern’s work so far on the show and that the network would be “delighted” if the radio host came back for a second season.