★★★★★ 0/5

CBS chair Les Moonves under cloud of allegations

One of the most powerful TV execs in the US is now under investigation amid allegations by six women.

2
Leave a comment

Powerful CBS chairman-CEO Leslie Moonves has been accused of sexual misconduct by six women in the US including actress Illeana Douglas, who asserts that Moonves had her fired from a comedy pilot after she rebuffed his forceful advances.

The accusations were levelled in a report by investigative reporter Ronan Farrow in the New Yorker. All of them relate to allegations dating back decades.

Moonves is highly regarded as one of the most successful programmers in TV history for leading CBS’ rebirth in the mid-1990s and keeping the mothership CBS broadcast network as America’s most-watched network overall for 15 of the past 16 television seasons.

The allegations also surface as CBS and Moonves are embroiled in a legal battle with parent company National Amusements Inc. for control of the company.

“Throughout my time at CBS, we have promoted a culture of respect and opportunity for all employees, and have consistently found success elevating women to top executive positions across our company. I recognize that there were times decades ago when I may have made some women uncomfortable by making advances. Those were mistakes, and I regret them immensely. But I always understood and respected—and abided by the principle—that ‘no’ means ‘no,’ and I have never misused my position to harm or hinder anyone’s career. This is a time when we all are appropriately focused on how we help improve our society, and we at CBS are committed to being part of the solution.”

Julie Chen, who hosts The Talk and Big Brother for CBS, and has been married to Moonves since 2004, also responded to the story. “I have known my husband, Leslie Moonves, since the late ‘90s, and I have been married to him for almost 14 years,” she wrote on Twitter. “Leslie is a good man and a loving father, devoted husband and inspiring corporate leader. He has always been a kind, decent and moral human being. I fully support my husband and stand behind him and his statement.”

Moonves was subsequently placed under investigation by the CBS Board.

CBS recently acquired Australia’s Network TEN.

Source: Variety

2 Responses

  1. Don’t know him ….but concerned that goal posts have shifted…and so many coming forward after so many years…. Not easy to know what is genuine and what is just jumping on the #me too …which also make me worry every time I use that to agree with someone…about something totally unrelated…..Also TV shows ie NBC Today becoming tilted towards female presenters…yes…woman needed to be more included…just feels like the pendulum is now swinging too far the other way…just my thoughts.

  2. Cannot wait for this “Hot Topic” to be discussed on “The Talk.” Should I walk out onto the proverbial limb and state right here and now Julie Chen will take leave of absence from “The Talk” or, this matter will be swept under the carpet?

Leave a Reply