If you follow TV industry news, you may have heard that CBS boss Les Moonves has been removed from his position as chairman and chief executive of CBS. Leslie Moonves, who is also the husband of Julie Chen, will resign his position in the wake of sexual assault allegations.
Les Moonves will continue to advise CBS for one year “in order to provide for a smooth transition of his duties.” CBS will provide Moonves with “office services” and security for up to two years. Moonves will be temporarily replaced by chief operating officer Joseph Ianniello, the network said.
Chen defended her husband on Twitter following the first round of allegations in July. “I have known my husband, Leslie Moonves, since the late ’90s, and I have been married to him for almost 14 years. Leslie is a good man and a loving father, devoted husband and inspiring corporate leader,” she tweeted.
Today was the first day of the new ninth season of Chen’s show, The Talk, “I am taking a few days off from The Talk to be with my family,” Chen, 48, said in a statement. “I will be back soon and will see you Thursday night on Big Brother.”
Big Brother fans are worried this shake-up could result in the end of Big Brother on CBS, as this is the last season the network has under contract.
Popular Twitterer “REALvegas4sure” tweeted:
“BB has still not yet been renewed for Season 21. After a summer of issues, most all are panicking, a lot.
Les just resigned and Julie’s team has not told producers if she would come back even if/when it is renewed, no deal is in place for her on more seasons.”
Rumors on Twitter are abounding, with Big Brother personality “Evel Dick” Tweeting:
“Even the very worst case scenario: Julie leaves, CBS drops BB There is NO chance in hell that Endemol doesn’t license it to another network, ZERO chance. NBC, ABC, Fox will pick it up 100% Just like in the UK when they were dropped by their network, another one picked it up”
The ratings for BB20 are just slightly lower than BB19, but Big Brother always wins its timeslot.
The Big Brother franchise is owned by Endemol Shine Group, the Netherlands-based TV producer of shows including “Black Mirror,” “MasterChef,” “Fear Factor,” “Grantchester,” “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “Dancing With the Stars,” and “Peaky Blinders.” Recently the Disney Corporation bought portions of 21st Century Fox, of which Endemol Shine Group was included.