'The Talk' is going on hiatus while it reviews Sharon Osbourne's outburst at Sheryl Underwood over Piers Morgan

• "The Talk" is having a two-day hiatus pending a CBS investigation, according to E News.
• It came after a tense exchange Wednesday between the hosts Sharon Osbourne and Sheryl Underwood.
• The dispute was triggered by Osbourne defending Piers Morgan over his treatment of Meghan Markle.

The daytime show "The Talk" is going on a two-day hiatus while it investigates a tense exchange between Sharon Osbourne and her cohosts over Piers Morgan's treatment of Meghan Markle, E News reported.

Staff was notified that Monday and Tuesday's shows - which were to feature the guests Elizabeth Vargas and Carly Pearce - would be canceled. The show is expected to return to live taping Wednesday, according to Deadline.

"Several employees reached out to HR after Wednesday's show because of the way Sharon Osbourne handled the conversation," a source told E News. "Sharon's defense of Piers Morgan felt like a triggering moment, and it was very difficult for many of the staff to watch."

On Friday, CBS announced it would be launching an internal review of the episode.

"We are committed to a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace," a statement from the network to People magazine said. "All matters related to the Wednesday episode of 'The Talk' are currently under internal review."

The exchange in question was in last Wednesday's episode. Osbourne defended Morgan against accusations by her fellow castmates that his treatment of Meghan Markle was racist.

Morgan repeatedly attacked Markle after the March 7 premiere of her interview with Oprah Winfrey. On Tuesday, he left his job as host of "Good Morning Britain" after being questioned over his attitude toward Markle.

Morgan has been a longtime critic of the duchess, saying, "I wouldn't believe her if she read me a weather report, and the fact that she's fired up this onslaught against our royal family, I think is contemptible."

After his firing, Osbourne tweeted in defense of Morgan, which prompted her "Talk" cohosts to question her judgment.

Her cohost Sheryl Underwood said she felt that Morgan's attacks on Markle were rooted in racism.

She told Osbourne her defense of Morgan gave "validation and a safe haven to something that he has uttered that is racist."

Underwood said that while Morgan may not have said anything explicitly racist, it was "the implication and the reaction" to the interview with Winfrey that upset many.

In a tense exchange, Osbourne lashed out at Underwood.

"I will ask you again, Sheryl," she said. "I've been asking you during the break. And don't try and cry because if anyone should be crying, it should be me. This is the situation: You tell me where you have heard him say racist things. Educate me."

Underwood replied: "I have felt that Piers was racist in his stance against Meghan Markle, and the last time he was on this show I said as much."

Two days later, Osbourne offered a Notes-app apology and said: "To anyone of color that I offended and/or to anyone that feels confused or let down by what I said, I am truly sorry."

She added that the outburst was because she "panicked, felt blindsided, got defensive & allowed my fear & horror of being accused of being racist take over."

Morgan has argued Osbourne was "bullied" into her apology. He's demanded that "The Talk" offer him an apology in response.