Former News Anchor Katie Couric Says CBS 'Felt Like A Boys Club'
July 29 2018, Updated 9:29 p.m. ET
Katie Couric has blasted her former network CBS over the sexual harassment allegations against CEO Les Moonves.
Couric told The New Yorker, which published an article by Ronan Farrow about Moonves and other top executives of misdeeds, that to her, CBS "felt like a boys' club," where a number of talented women seemed to be "marginalized and undervalued."
The news star, 61, once served as anchor of the CBS Evening News and was a contributing correspondent for 60 Minutes from 2006 to 2011.
But now, she has made some candid and pointed comments about the network she once called home.
CBS Chairman and CEO Les Moonves was accused of disturbing instances of alleged sexual harassment through the years.
Writer Ronan Farrow's explosive Friday article in The New Yorker quoted six women—including actress Ileana Douglas-- accusing Moonves of sleazy and sexually aggressive behavior when they tried to work with him.
But his wife Julie Chen, who stars on two big CBS shows, the chatfest The Talk and the controversial reality show Big Brother, took to Twitter on Friday to release a supportive statement.
"I have known my husband, Leslie Moonves, since the late '90s, and I have been married to him for almost 14 years," Chen wrote.
"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 own statement."
Moonves had released his own statement to The New Yorker on Friday, acknowledging the possibility that he made some women uncomfortable with sexual advances but vehemently denying charges of sexual assault.
He wrote, "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."
- CBS Crisis: Chaos-Hit Network Headed for 'Brutal' Makeover From New Owners After Tumbling From News 'Glory Days'
- Meghan Markle ‘Screamed’ at CBS Producers After Unexpected Question Left the Former Actress ‘Annoyed’
- ‘Big Brother’ Writer Doubles Down and Fights Back After CBS Threatened to Sue Him Over Tell-All Book
DAILY. BREAKING. CELEBRITY NEWS. ALL FREE.
Moonves added, "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."
It's not the first time Couric has spoken out against #MeToo issues.
She previously was Matt Lauer's co-host on The Today Show and she commented after his shocking sex scandal that caused him to be fired by NBC.
"I hope he's trying to figure out and understand his behavior and why he did it and why it was so wrong," Couric said of her longtime NBC friend.
Couric always has maintained that she had a "wonderful working relationship" with Lauer, 60, and was blindsided by the accusations against him.
Still, Lauer made an inappropriate joke about Couric's colonoscopy at a 2008 roast.
Now Couric, along with other former and current female CBS employees, are speaking out about Moonves' alleged misdeeds.
Many of them have described the atmosphere at CBS as a "'frat house'."
We pay for juicy info! Do you have a story for RadarOnline.com? Email us at tips@radaronline.com, or call us at (866) ON-RADAR (667-2327) any time, day or night.