Jerry O’Connell broke down in tears off camera during The Talk’s final episode and cried the show ‘didn’t deserve’ to end so suddenly, The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal.
The actor, along with his daytime co-hosts, all appeared emotional as they wrapped up 15 years of the CBS series with its finale airing on Friday with last guest Howie Mandel.
Before the show officially started taping, Jerry, 50, came out from backstage to chat with the energetic audience who was thrilled to see him interacting with fans.
At one point, he put his arm around warm-up host Bill Sindelar – who gets the audience’s energy up and cues them to clap as the cameras roll – to share an emotional embrace, an eyewitness told The U.S. Sun.
Jerry then got teary eyed as he talked about this being the final moments of filming The Talk and as he opened up about what the experience meant to him, a staffer ran to grab tissues.
“He was very emotional, you can tell how much this show and the family of crew members and hosts meant to him.
“Jerry kept hugging everyone and professing his gratitude, it was really sweet, heartfelt and genuine.
“At one point, Jerry thanked the crew for becoming ‘part of his daily life’ and said he has really grown to love forming a routine on set. He will miss it,” the insider said.
The source continued that Jerry said he loved the show for the “sense of community” it formed and got choked up as he admitted The Talk “didn’t deserve” to end so abruptly – and could’ve gone on for “years and years.”
Jerry has helped lead the show since its major cast shakeup during Sharon Osbourne’s controversial firing in 2021.
In addition to Jerry, The Talk has been helmed over the past few years by hosting panel: Sheryl Underwood, Akbar Gbajabiamila, Amanda Kloots and Natalie Morales.
Yesterday, The U.S. Sun revealed some former hosts, including Sharon, 72, turned down returning for the season finale to avoid reuniting with the current host Sheryl, 61.
A source claimed: “The show asked some of the former hosts to come back for the final season. They all said no because of Sheryl. They didn’t want to sit with her on the panel.
“I believe Sharon was asked back. There was a conversation, but she would never sit on that panel.”
The insider claimed Sheryl has a “tricky personality,” as the host “gets along with you, keeps you close, but then will do something vindictive.”
“There have been a few tiffs between some of the hosts and Sheryl,” the insider alleged.
“Sheryl gloated about being the top dog. She walked around like that, like ‘I’m number one.’ Everyone tiptoes around her.
“If she felt she wasn’t equal she would be very demanding.”
For the final episode, the insider said the show has “nothing too exciting planned.”
DONE TALKING
A source added: “There are no major surprises. They’ll probably have a cake for the final episode.”
A rep for The Talk did not respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
The daytime series has struggled with declining ratings in recent years, and in April of this year, CBS announced The Talk would end for good after season 15.
Cast Changes
The daytime show has seen a rotation of panelists over the years.
The program first premiered on October 18, 2010.
Its inaugural season’s panel consisted of Sara Gilbert, Leah Remini, Holly Robinson Peete, Julie Chen, and Sharon Osbourne.
The lineup changed several times and also included Sara Gilbert, Marissa Jaret Winoku, Aisha Tyler, Elaine Welteroth, Eve, and Marie Osmond.
The final cast is Sheryl Underwood, Akbar Gbajabiamila, Amanda Kloots, Natalie Morales, and Jerry O’Connell.
During its run, the series has won three of its 18 Emmy Award nominations.
In April this year, a new soap titled Beyond the Gates was greenlit by CBS and is slated to premiere in February, taking the time slot of The Talk.
Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment, and David Stapf, president of CBS Studios, released a joint statement to Deadline.
“The Talk broke new ground when it launched 14 years ago by returning daytime talk to CBS with a refreshing and award-winning format.
“Throughout the years, it has been a key program on CBS’ top-rated daytime line-up as it brought timely, important, and entertaining topics and discussions into living rooms around the globe.”
She continued: “It goes without saying that hosting and producing a year-round talk show is no easy task, and we express our sincere gratitude to our amazing hosts.
“We also want to acknowledge our former show hosts and colleagues who contributed throughout the seasons.
“We truly appreciate the skill, creativity, and dedication everyone involved brought to the show every day,” the statement read.
The Talk hosts have not yet revealed what their next projects will be now that the show has wrapped for good.
