Although “The Talk” has yet to be officially picked up for a 13th season by CBS, the show’s longest-running co-host, Sheryl Underwood, is expected to remain with the show through at least season 15. Underwood has reportedly signed a multi-year deal to continue co-hosting the daytime talk show along with signing a two-year first-look development deal with CBS Studios.
“‘The Talk’ will forever be my home; I have no intentions of going anywhere, but while I have this platform and while I have access to the audience, I want to be as integral in the success of the corporation of CBS as I possibly can,” Underwood told Variety recently. “I want to be able to create content — not just for me to star in, but for other people to get the same opportunity and go on the same journey, especially women and stand-up comics.”
Underwood has been a staple at “The Talk” since September 2011, when she joined the panel during the show’s second season. Since then, she has won numerous Daytime Emmy Awards as one of the show’s co-hosts. In fact, Underwood has co-hosted the awards show itself on many occasions, including alongside her fellow co-hosts, multiple times with “Access Hollywood” host Mario Lopez (“The Bold and the Beautiful”), and more recently all by herself in 2021.
“Sheryl has been critical to ‘The Talk’s’ success for more than a decade and we’re excited that she will be part of the conversation for several years to come,” said George Cheeks, CEO of CBS Corporation, in a statement. “Having the chance to share her unique voice and storytelling through this new partnership with CBS Studios is a creative way to expand our valued partnership.”
Recalling her time at “The Talk,” Underwood notes, “Never in my life would I think I would be No. 1 on the call sheet — never. I was No. 5,” she said to Variety while looking back on the decade since she joined the show. “I respect the women that put this show together and all who have come through its doors. We’re all trying to just do a job, feed our families and get to retirement, but we’re also trying to give the world a respite in their daily lives, and that’s important to me.”
Photo by Cliff Lipson/CBS
In addition to Underwood, the current panel at “The Talk” includes Akbar Gbajabiamila, Amanda Kloots, Natalie Morales and Jerry O’Connell. The show is currently enjoying an increase in viewership after hitting record lows throughout 2021.
“I love the trailblazing diversity,” says Underwood. “I love Natalie Morales, a Latina, as our moderator. The consummate newswoman, but a rascal with a sense of humor. Then, you bring on two men — that takes great courage to show that men and women can have great conversation.” She adds, “Jerry O’Connell is the funniest guy — but he’s not just the comic relief. He’s very smart and well-connected in this industry.” Meanwhile, she says of Gbajabiamila and Kloots, “You have Akbar Gbajabiamila. Now what show has an African American — put the focus on African — athlete? What we see is these men as fathers, talking and representing the thoughts and feelings of other men, so women can see and hear it. And Amanda Kloots, a woman who’s become America’s sweetheart, as a young mother who is trying to find her way.”
Concerning her new deal with CBS, Underwood is understood to be interested in developing music competition programs similar to those created before her by the likes of Chris Rock, Kevin Hart and Steve Harvey, to name a few. She also would like to get into the world of game shows, dramas and comedies. “It doesn’t mean I have to star in them, but I would like a good cameo,” Underwood says.
For more on Underwood and what she had to say about staying with CBS for the foreseeable future, check out her interview with Variety.
“The Talk” is set to celebrate its 2500th show on Friday, March 11.