America’s Got Talent 2012 judge Sharon Osbourne has announced she is quitting the hit talent show after NBC allegedly fired her son Jack Osbourne as the host of an upcoming reality show. America’s Got Talent 2012 judge Sharon Osbourne claims NBC fired Jack Osbourne as the host of the upcoming Stars Earn Stripes military-themed show after learning he has multiple sclerosis.
America’s Got Talent 2012 judge Sharon Osbourne is alleging that NBC had a deal with her son Jack Osbourne to host Stars Earn Stripes, but backed out after he publicly announced his multiple sclerosis diagnosis.
“I just can’t be fake,” she says. “It’s discrimination, and it was badly handled.” Jack Osbourne appeared on The Talk in June and said he was fired from the series. Producers for the NBC series, however, claim he was never actually hired.
“He was somebody with these eight and a few others that we were in talks with,” Executive Producer David A. Hurwitz said. “But he did not get penciled into the final lineup. Prior to us making our decision, it was found out that the rigors of the show were too intense for him.”
Jack Osbourne, who finished a 16 hour endurance race in January, said he was perfectly willing to pay for his own insurance, but NBC refused to have him as the host after they learned he had MS, which he and his mother claim is outright discrimination. America’s Got Talent 2012 judge Sharon Osbourne and Jack Osbourne both admit the final contract was not signed, but they had been told the host job for Stars Earn Stripes was absolutely his.
Osbourne noted an email he received on May 18th confirming the gig from NBC’s Chuck LaBella: “We are looking forward to working with you,” it said. “I am happy you are going to be in the NBC family.” They say NBC only informed Jack Osbourne he would not be moving forward on the show just two days before filming was to begin.
America’s Got Talent 2012 judge Sharon Osbourne said an NBC executive tried to pay off her son Jack by giving him his show salary, but it wasn’t about the money. “He wanted his gig,” Osbourne said. “It gave him something to look forward to when he was diagnosed… Think of the good that it could have done to show other people who have this [condition] that your life is not over.”
Osbourne said in a press statement that she would be quitting after the America’s Got Talent 2012 season and cited NBC’s discrimination against her son as the primary reason. “It’s time to move on,” she said.
A network rep said: “Sharon has been a valuable part of the NBC family. We regret any misunderstanding and wish Jack well.”
