“The Late Show” host Stephen Colbert went after his own boss Monday night, after sexual harassment allegations surfaced about Leslie Moonves on Friday.
Ronan Farrow, who broke the sexual abuse story about Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, published a story in the New Yorker on Mr. Moonves. In the piece, six women accused the CBS president of harassment and impacting their careers after rejecting him.
Mr. Moonves denied all allegations, though he acknowledged to the New Yorker that he may have made women “uncomfortable.”
In light of the allegations, CBS’ own news network reported that it will launch an investigation of Mr. Moonves.
Mr. Colbert, one of CBS’ biggest stars, weighed in on the allegations during his show Monday. He opened the segment as an homage to the #MeToo movement, which is nearing its one-year milestone.
“Powerful men taking advantage of relatively powerless employees are wrong,” Mr. Colbert said, “We know it’s wrong now, and we knew it was wrong then.”
The comedian acknowledged he held power in the industry himself and has his own flaws, but shared his conflict on the issue.
Mr. Colbert wrestled with the debate of accused individuals “disappearing” from the spotlight. He explained that he liked Mr. Moonves, who he looked to in situations like this one, who he said stood by “The Late Show” in times of controversy.
“I like working for him. But accountability is useless unless it’s for everybody,” Mr. Colbert said, “Whether its a leader of the network or the leader of the free world.”
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.
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