NBC Defends Itself Against Sharon Osbourne's Discrimination Accusations: Who's in the Right?

by SodaHead Celebs Posted 2012/08/08 16:00:00

Related Topics: Nbc, Sharon Osbourne, Jack Osbourne, Americas Got Talent, Stars Earn Stripes

301 votes
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	Sharon Osbourne	163 votes	54%
	NBC	138 votes	46%

Sharon Osbourne says she quit "America’s Got Talent" because NBC fired her son Jack from the reality show "Stars Earn Stripes" after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. But NBC denies any wrongdoing.

"I just can’t be fake," she told The New York Post. "It’s discrimination, and it was badly handled." She continued, "He didn’t want the money. He wanted his gig. 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."

But now, NBC is firing back. In a statement on Monday, NBC Entertainment Chairman Bob Greenblatt said the network "does not discriminate on any basis," according to The Associated Press.

"Stars Earns Stripes," which premieres Aug. 13, requires "dangerous water stunts, strenuous physical activity, and uses live ammunition," Greenblatt said, explaining that all potential contestants had to undergo medical vetting. Greenblatt added that Jack Osbourne was offered two alternative roles on the show but declined both.

"We have the deepest affection for Sharon Osbourne and consider her to be part of the NBC family," Greenblatt said. "And our hearts go out to her, Ozzy, Jack and his family at this time." Both sides admit that Jack hadn't signed a contract, but Sharon says he was fired by e-mail two days before he was set to start the gig. Who do you believe, Sharon or NBC?

Add a comment above

Deliciously Melicious 2012/08/08 18:04:21

NBC

+10
Just like with the Army if he didn't pass the physical, he can't participate. I'm sorry that it upset him and his family, but shouldn't his safety come first??
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More polls by SodaHead Celebs

A Lionheart 2012/08/11 19:20:36

NBC

Sounds like they were fair.

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schjaz 2012/08/11 18:08:25

NBC

I am going with NBC because everyone had to pass a medical and physical test.

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mk, Smartass Oracle 2012/08/10 14:57:54

NBC

I don't like either one and would like to see both lose if that were possible.

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w2xad 2012/08/10 14:47:27
Callaway 2012/08/10 14:20:20

Sharon Osbourne

As far as I'm concerned everything NBC touches, comments on, or broadcasts bears watching the sound of water circling the drain is NBC Entertainment.

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JAA 2012/08/10 11:30:49

NBC

As sad as the situation is, NBC needs to protect itself from later lawsuits should Jack be harmed during the "gig". I can't bring myself to believe they actually care about Jack as an individual, but they have lawyers always on standby for a reason . . .

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Bob DiN 2012/08/10 07:42:24

Sharon Osbourne

+2
You have to be stupid to believe NBC.

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Mm 2012/08/10 07:02:29
guitar kid 2012/08/10 03:09:14

Sharon Osbourne

+1
It IS discrimination but NBC is still right...regulations are still regulations whether they discriminate or not

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disclaimer 2012/08/10 01:56:15

NBC

Guys. Would you want someone with multiple sclerosis participating in physical activities like this? That could be dangerous to his health. Sharon's being overprotective, as moms often are.

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Any to disclaimer 2012/08/10 02:10:25

Or underprotective in this case...

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disclaimer to Any 2012/08/10 07:23:15

She's being hovery, is what she's being. The kind of parent I despise.

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hasher 2012/08/10 00:48:03

Sharon Osbourne

+1
first ann curry and now sharons son?? what do they only want perfect people who can be their robots on their show?? i hardley ever watch nbc anyway and the few shows i did like i probably wont watch at all now. and they got rid of one of their best shows harry's law!!! what the heck is wrong with nbc??

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Pistol Pete 2012/08/09 22:27:31

NBC

WHO cares if Sharon Osboune quits. She has NO TALENT at all and should not have been there to begin with.

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i love ... to Pistol ... 2012/08/10 10:51:03

+1
In your opinion...

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motherm... to i love ... 2012/11/05 14:17:20

Which doesn't count for much...

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Bunk11 2012/08/09 21:09:00

Sharon Osbourne

+1
I don't know whether Sharon Osbourne is telling the truth, but it's a pretty safe bet that a TV executive is not.

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Frank 2012/08/09 18:42:25

Sharon Osbourne

+1
Jack needs to join the Army and he will be able to participate in dangerous water sports, strenuous activity, and live ammunition, of course he'll get paid a lot less.......

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smitty 2012/08/09 17:59:09

NBC

+1
Jack gets hurt. Jack sues NBC. Sorry Sharon.. That show looks stupid. Ain't no way I am watching it.

Come to think of it? We don't watch AGT either. Thank the lord my kids have grown pass this stupid reality stuff. Now just to figure out how to get my wife from watching the bachelor.

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Nadiyah... to smitty 2012/08/09 20:44:39

She had all the right to do what she did because they discriminated against her son and I hope they sue NBC and give the money to a charity

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smitty to Nadiyah... 2012/08/09 21:07:45

+1
BS. Besides her son is 27. I hope NBC takes the Osbournes to the cleaners and gives the money to charity.

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gocar 2012/08/09 16:48:41

NBC

+1
I am so fed up with the Osbourne's She is famous for being married to an uncouth lout and their children are just the same.

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Monty to gocar 2012/08/10 04:19:18

+2
ozzy is a uncouth lout?

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Vlorr to Monty 2012/08/10 06:15:23

+1
No shes a dumbbitch :)

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Bob DiN to Vlorr 2012/08/10 07:43:54

But a hot bitch.

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Vlorr to Bob DiN 2012/08/10 20:54:18

+1
Ewwwee. Hell No XDD

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Bob DiN to Vlorr 2012/08/10 21:46:56

She's hot but a little ditsy.

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ellomotto 2012/08/09 16:19:21

NBC

+2
It was for health reasons and they said that they even offered him two different roles, which he turned down

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Bob DiN to ellomotto 2012/08/10 07:44:29

You believe NBC???

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Flambouyant 2012/08/09 16:09:55

NBC

Many reality game shows turn down contestants after physicals to protect from liability. Sorry Sharon I still love you.

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Headhunter 13 2012/08/09 16:01:07

NBC

+1
There was no signed contract. If the show was based on someones ability to perform successfully the training and task of the US Military and they had a health issue like MS not allowing them to compete was right. The military would not take someone with MS and allow them to try and make it

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Rocky 2012/08/09 15:55:39

NBC

+2
I think liability, insurance, his physical etc. all came into play here. I was a screenwriter for years - never did any stunts but had to adhere to the contract. Since he was offered other positions on the show - he should have taken one of them.

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ivegotloveinmypants 2012/08/09 14:58:59

Sharon Osbourne

+2
Typical big company boses trampling on anyone and eeryone in order to make money.

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Pam 2012/08/09 13:35:03

Sharon Osbourne

+2
I'm trying to see both sides. While Jack may not be symptomatic for many years, NBC also has to question the safety of him performing stunts. I don't blame Sharon though. I would do the same if it were my child.

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Digman14 2012/08/09 12:51:19
debhead 2012/08/09 10:10:31

NBC

I really don't know all the facts. Was he not going to be able to effectively perform his duties in the position he wanted. I'm going to Google the story. I should have done that first, I know.

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Nilam 2012/08/09 09:57:54

NBC

+1
this attitude that people have of "let him do it and win so he feels better about himself" is sickening. see, this is what you get when you dont let parents spank their kids. grown up whinny little brats!

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Mark 2012/08/09 09:28:04

Sharon Osbourne

+2
NBC is protecting the delicate public from seeing people with disabilities. It will probably blank out most of the paraolympics as well.

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Watermusicranger 2012/08/09 08:21:03

NBC

+1
Safety 1st

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Angelika Insomniac 2012/08/09 08:06:51

Sharon Osbourne

+4
I'm probably biased because I have MS.

Not all of us end up like Terri Garr or Montel Jordan. (Doing very well & with no obvious symptoms.)

I know that too much heat or activity can make your MS worse. Jack is young (very, to have already gotten a diagnosis), but it still might be too much for him & he doesn't realize it yet.

So basically, I don't know, LOL.

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