The Exclusive With Sharon Tharp

The Exclusive With Sharon Tharp
  • 4.6 (173)
  • TV Reviews
  • Updated Weekly

For nearly 20 years, Sharon Tharp has been breaking news, landing exclusive interviews, and covering reality television's biggest stories. On The Exclusive, she takes fans behind the headlines with insider analysis, exclusive conversations, and behind-the-scenes access they won't find anywhere else.

  1. Jun 18

    Padma Lakshmi on Reinventing Food Competition TV With America's Culinary Cup

    Padma Lakshmi joins host Sharon Tharp on The Exclusive to discuss creating and executive producing America's Culinary Cup, the ambitious new food competition series she designed to challenge the conventions of reality television. The Emmy-nominated host opens up about taking creative risks, eliminating many of the genre's most common tropes, and why she refused to sequester contestants during production. Lakshmi also reflects on reinventing the cooking competition format, creating a high-end environment for chefs to perform at their best, the strategic elements inspired by shows like Survivor, and the lessons she's learned from decades in television. Plus, she shares candid thoughts on leadership, imposter syndrome, and stepping into a larger creative role behind the camera.

    24 min

  2. Jun 10

    Top Chef 23 Exit Interview: Jonathan Calls Seiger's Judges' Table Confrontation 'Very Uncomfortable'

    Chef Jonathan Dearden joins The Exclusive following his elimination from Top Chef Season 23 to reflect on his journey through the competition, the ambitious pumpkin and brioche dish that ultimately sent him home, and why he believes the judges were forced to nitpick as the field narrowed. Jonathan opens up about the pressure of cooking alongside his brother Brandon, shares his unfiltered thoughts on the controversial challenges, and reveals why he was surprised to find himself on the bottom. He also discusses Sieger's heated Judges' Table confrontation, calling the moment "very uncomfortable," explains what viewers didn't see from the exchange, weighs in on Rhoda's eventual victory, and reveals whether he'd return to the Top Chef kitchen for another shot at the title.

    20 min

  3. May 29

    Top Chef 23 Exit Interview: Anthony Jones Disagrees With Judges' Elimination Critique

    Chef Anthony Jones joins The Exclusive following his elimination from Top Chef Season 23 to reflect on his journey, the rabbit challenge that sent him home, and the judges' critiques that he still questions. The chef opens up about why he found the "disjointed" criticism of his Michelin-inspired plating "odd," weighs in on fellow contestant Sieger's decision to push back at Judges' Table, and shares his thoughts on some of the season's most controversial challenges. Anthony also discusses the shrinking margin for error as the competition progressed, the advice he received from former Top Chef winner Tristen Epps before filming, and whether he'd return if Top Chef called him back for another shot at the title.

    13 min

  4. May 23

    Survivor 50 Finale Recap: Morgan Pope on Aubry’s Win, the Bitter Jury Debate & Jeff’s Big Slip-Up

    Big Brother 27 finalist Morgan Pope joins The Exclusive to recap the Survivor 50 finale after attending the live reunion in Los Angeles. Morgan reacts to Aubry Bracco’s emotional win, explains why she believes Aubry’s adaptability earned her the title, and weighs in on the online debate over whether the jury was truly “bitter” toward Jonathan and Joe. Morgan also shares her firsthand reaction to Jeff Probst accidentally spoiling the fire-making challenge result live in the theater and what the atmosphere inside the room was actually like during the chaotic moment. Plus, Sharon and Morgan break down several “what if” scenarios from the finale, including whether Tiffany could have won the season, who wins a Rizo vs. Jonathan vs. Joe Final Tribal Council, and whether Aubry still dominates if Rizo makes the end instead.

    1h 16m

  5. May 22

    Top Chef 23 Exit Interview: Brandon Deaden on Restaurant Wars & Fighting With His Brother

    The latest chef eliminated from Top Chef Season 23, Brandon Deaden, joins The Exclusive to break down the Restaurant Wars service that sent him home. Brandon reflects on taking the line cook role to help his team succeed, why he believes focusing too much on service hurt his individual dish, and the inconsistent rice pudding mistake that ultimately sealed his fate. He also opens up about the behind-the-scenes chaos viewers didn’t fully see, including communication breakdowns during service and why he believes timing and luck can play a huge role in Restaurant Wars. Plus, Brandon also discusses competing against his twin brother Jonathan, the sibling bickering and trash talk that didn’t fully make the edit, and why the two intentionally tried to “put on a show” whenever the cameras were rolling.

    20 min

  6. May 22

    Top Chef 23 Exit Interview: Oscar Diaz Breaks Down the Mistakes That Sent Him Home

    The latest chef eliminated from Top Chef Season 23, Oscar Diaz, joins The Exclusive to break down the small mistakes and kitchen chaos that led to his exit. Oscar reflects on the pressure of the combined Quickfire and Elimination challenge, the turmeric spill that left his face “on fire,” and why he thinks the judges misunderstood the intention behind his rice dish. He also opens up about the mental toll of filming, constantly moving locations, and trying to stay calm while cameras followed every move in the kitchen. Plus, Oscar shares what viewers didn’t fully see about the cast dynamic, how being disconnected from phones and social media changed him during filming, and why he’d absolutely return for another shot — this time “coming for everyone’s jugular.”

    19 min

  7. May 21

    Survivor 50 Exit Interview: Tiffany Nicole Ervin Says She Would Have Won

    Tiffany Nicole Ervin joins The Exclusive after her heartbreaking fifth-place finish on Survivor 50 to reflect on losing the game by just one puzzle piece and why she truly believes she would have won had she reached the Final Tribal Council. The Survivor 46 alum opens up about overcoming early skepticism from fans and fellow players, navigating the game after losing her closest allies early, and how her social game helped her survive despite becoming an early target. Tiffany also breaks down her close bond with Cirie, explains why she ultimately respected and voted for Aubry’s winning game, and pushes back on the idea that the Survivor 50 jury was “swayed” by stronger personalities at Ponderosa. Plus, she discusses the “idol trauma” that shaped her anti-idol gameplay this season, reflects on becoming one of the breakout fan favorites of Survivor 50, and shares why proving herself as a legitimate contender meant almost as much as the $2 million prize itself.

    15 min

  8. May 21

    Survivor 50 Exit Interview: Rizo Velovic on the Family Visit That Almost Happened

    Rizo Velovic joins The Exclusive after his heartbreaking fourth-place finish on Survivor 50 to react to Jeff Probst accidentally spoiling his fire-making elimination live during the finale and why he’s choosing to embrace the moment as part of his Survivor legacy. The Season 49 alum reflects on going out in fire for the second season in a row, explains why Aubry ultimately didn’t want to sit next to him at the Final Tribal Council, and breaks down the faction-based gameplay that shaped the endgame. Rizo also responds to criticism from Ozzy and Chrissy, shares why he has “zero regrets” about not warning Ozzy to play his idol, and opens up emotionally about discovering his mom secretly flew all the way to Fiji hoping to see him make the Final 3. Plus, he discusses his bond with Joe, embracing vulnerability on television, and why he already feels ready to return for Survivor again.

    11 min
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4.6
out of 5
173 Ratings

About

For nearly 20 years, Sharon Tharp has been breaking news, landing exclusive interviews, and covering reality television's biggest stories. On The Exclusive, she takes fans behind the headlines with insider analysis, exclusive conversations, and behind-the-scenes access they won't find anywhere else.

Information

  • Creator
    The Exclusive With Sharon Tharp
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    311
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Exclusive With Sharon Tharp
  • Show Website
    The Exclusive With Sharon Tharp

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