Julie Chen's 'defiant' support of Les Moonves on 'Big Brother' doesn't sit well on Twitter: 'She just disrespected all the women her husband abused'

Suzy Byrne
·Reporter

Julie Chen’s not-so-subtle support of her husband and, until a few days ago, boss Les Moonves as she signed off Thursday’s Big Brother episode has been described as “defiant” and “awkward.” And those are the nice words.

Les Moonves and Julie Chen in 2017. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)
Les Moonves and Julie Chen in 2017. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)

Many folks on social media were less restrained — no big surprise — and the TV personality, who has been on a hiatus from The Talk since Moonves was fired by CBS amid allegations of sexual misconduct spanning decades, was ripped apart for staring into the camera and signing off as “Julie Chen Moonves.” Director Judd Apatow found Chen’s statement to be “cruel to the many victims” and suggested that Chen is “damaged” and not thinking straight. Actress and #MeToo advocate Rosanna Arquette wrote that she had “felt sorry” for Chen and the couple’s young son but said that her response to the situation “is not OK.” Some called for CBS to axe her from the show, while others implored her to just “go away.”

Some of the reactions:

The Talk’s rival show, ABC’s The View, seemed to report on Chen’s name change with added delight. Joy Behar said that, with Chen standing by her man, she will probably have to give her the moderator job on her daytime show. “They can’t talk about anything that’s related to relationships,” including the #MeToo movement, “unless Julie Chen Moonves comes clean.”

CBS is currently conducting an investigation into the Moonves allegations. As it stands, he could still earn a hefty payout. The #TimesUp organization is asking for it all to be donated to groups fighting sexual harassment.

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