As we discussed last week, Michael Weatherly sexually harassed his costar Eliza Dushku and CBS ended up paying her $9.5 million. Dushku guest starred on CBS’s Bull, and she was promised that her guest-star gig would become a full-time role. The full-time role never panned out, because Dushku rightly complained when Weatherly repeatedly said inappropriate things to her. CBS tried to fight Dushku’s lawsuit, but she had a pretty clear-cut case and they awarded her the $9.5 million as part of a very quiet settlement. The settlement only came to light because CBS has been doing a far-ranging investigation into Les Moonves, their long-time president/CEO, who was ousted this year after dozens of women came forward and spoke about his history of sexual harassment, sexual abuse and assault, and the toxic culture he created at CBS. As it turns out, Les Moonves oversaw the Dushku settlement himself:
As accusations of sexual harassment and sexual assault by Harvey Weinstein and others began flooding Hollywood early this year, CBS’ then-CEO Les Moonves stepped in to settle claims against one of the network’s biggest stars. Moonves was deeply and directly involved in the $9.5 million payout that CBS forked over to Eliza Dushku in January after the actor accused Bull lead Michael Weatherly of sexual harassment on the first season of the CBS drama, we’ve learned. Additionally, the confidential payment was sneaked into Bull’s production budget in an effort apparently motivated to avoid the sum popping up on the company’s books, sources say.
The confidential agreement was struck while CBS was engaging in ultimately unsuccessful talks of a potential merger with Viacom. The settlement and its machinations were not known to then-COO Joe Ianniello, who became acting CEO after Moonves resigned in September after a dozen women accused him of sexual aggression.
“Moonves was intimately involved in the Bull situation, as he was in almost all settlement talks and deals at CBS,” according to a person with knowledge of the situation. “The guy micromanaged this kind of stuff,” the source added of the Dushku settlement.
And people wonder why Weatherly felt like he could get away with acting that creepy and toxic way – it was because Les Moonves had his back, and Les Moonves created the creepy and toxic culture from top to bottom at CBS.
Speaking of, two of Michael Weatherly’s former female costars (both on NCIS) posted photos of him and messages of support. Sasha Alexander worked with Weatherly on the first seasons of NCIS, and Pauley Perrette worked with Weatherly for more than a decade on NCIS. I don’t doubt that both women have good things to say about Weatherly, and that they both consider him a friend. But again, that’s not a solid argument – “he didn’t sexually harass me, therefore he wouldn’t sexually harass anyone!”
This man… I love, respect, trust, and I KNOW. TWO decades of friendship and respect. The best. I love you @M_Weatherly Always and forever. pic.twitter.com/654ATa83w4
— Pauley Perrette (@PauleyP) December 15, 2018
I have been in trenches w/ my friend @M_Weatherly. Always laughs, true friend & ❤️ as big as they come. pic.twitter.com/kiJz4ACyJA
— Sasha Alexander (@sashaalexander) December 15, 2018
Photos courtesy of CBS/’Bull’.
I would cancel these two, but they seem so irrelevant at this point that they are not even worth cancelling.
That’s really gross.
On the one hand, I feel kind of disappointed to see those messages. You can love and support a friend, and still recognise and acknowledge where they clearly have been very much in the wrong.
On the other… I wonder if one or both made those posts as kind of a quiet way to say he was not behind their leaving the show? Because Pauley was open about the fact that she left for a reason, and while I didn’t THINK he was why (because he left before she did), I’ve seen a lot of people commenting that he must have been part of it. I’ve also seen people pointing out that Sasha asked to leave not long into the show’s run, and speculating that it was under similar circumstances as Eliza. This may be their quiet way of shutting that down.
I thought Pauley left because of Mark Harmon?
I think it’s probably true that she did, although there’s no real confirmation of why exactly she left. But since the story about Eliza broke, I’ve just seen a lot of comments online speculating that MW was either the reason, or part of the reason, that she left, and no doubt she’s probably seen that too. If he really was no part of her story, I can imagine wanting to shut that down fast. (Although I would NOT choose to do it in this way. If he was a great friend to her, wonderful, I’m glad for her. Sounds like as a female working at CBS you need all the friends you can find. Still doesn’t make it ok to NOT call out your friend once you find out something like she now knows about the Eliza Dushku situation.)
She allegedly left because Mark Harmon got pissed at her when she reported an incident where Harmon’s dog bit a crew member on-set. He reportedly refused to film any more scenes with her after that.
That was my thought, too. There were comments here on CB last week speculating whether he was the cause of their leaving.
Might have been better for them to send support privately.
I’m guessing that is what motivated them to post those messages. There was a lot of speculation about it and I don’t think it’s that terrible a thing to do. Eliza had proof she was harrassed so no one is doubting her claims. Pauly and Sasha just wanted to shut those rumors down cold. There was clearly a feud between Pauly and Harmon and I’m sure that’s why Pauly left the show.
This makes me kind of sad, because I really like “Bull”. But I cannot support anyone who harasses women, so this will be deleted from my DVR going forward.
Even with an apology, it’s a no-go. I just always feel the apologies are issued because they get “caught”, not because they truly feel they did wrong.
I really liked MW. Oh well… there are consequences to actions. He had to know he was wrong to say whatever he did to precipitate this.
Pauley left because of a dispute with Mark Harmon and his dog.
If that’s the case, then they should have been adults about it: post a statement that actually SAYS “I want to make clear that MW had nothing to do with me leaving X show.” Don’t play cutesy because the obvious message here is “this guy didn’t harass me and thus he couldn’t have harassed anyone.”
I agree with you, TQB. To me, it looks like they’re supporting him and not believing Dushku. They’re both canceled, even though I like Paulie’s stance on helping animals
I hate to break it to you, ladies – but no studio is going to pay an actor almost 10 MILLION dollars over hurt feelings or a misunderstanding. They paid that money because there is PROOF.
How many times do we have to go over this? Just because a man didn’t threaten or harass YOU doesn’t mean he didn’t do it to someone else. That is one of the ways abusers get away with it for so long – because they are able to show different faces to different people. And because for some reason, we all still give the benefit of the doubt to the abuser instead of the victim. Even women.
You want to believe your buddy? Fine. Do it privately. Don’t show your ass on social media. Or do – know we all know that you are an assh*le that supports abusers because they’re your friend. They should call up Lena Dunham and they can all cry about how misunderstood they feel.
That’s right. You said it!
I find it especially pathetic because Pauley made that big post prior to this about why she left HER workplace. Why does she feel that she is allowed to be valid in her complaints – but other women are not? I think that’s honestly so incredibly hypocritical and disgusting.
well said, I appreciate you articulating what I am trying to understand.
I’ve been a full time RN for 30 years and was recently forced out by an abusive doctor who was bent on harming me.
Recently at a dinner party, a young colleague made a point of saying how smart my abuser was and honestly, I was too shocked to speak.
The ease with which a certain kind of woman insists on her allegiance with men documented as abusive (including the doctor who broke me) is something I just can’t understand.
This. It would be one thing if they were just shutting down potential speculation that he did anything to them. But this looks more like an attempt to make him look good.
I think you people are not truthful. if you had a friend who was wonderful to you and all the women you know, if you got only the best from him, would you really believe somebody you don’t know? would you trust somebody you don’t know and not somebody you do know and love?
Oh please, drop the dramatics, you rarely truly know someone who doesn’t want you to.
All of their residuals are absolutely under threat if this show gets pulled from sindication, that’s why they’re doing this. LOL
By this logic I shouldn’t believe a child eniko accuses an adult who hasn’t abused his own children…
I have been friends with men who ended up harassing other women. I cut them off.
I have cut off people for doing such things to other people. Plus, my brother and I once had a discussion regarding how some of the parents of horrible murderers still support and “love” their child – or the siblings do. We both agreed that if we found out that the other was a horrible person, we’d never speak to the other again.
As was mentioned by someone else, a company doesn’t pay almost $10 million out if it’s not true. They know that he did what he was accused of and are still supporting him. It’s disgusting.
YES, thank you. Well said.
And he’s apparently producing a show for the other actress who was on NCIS.
These statements brought two things to mind:
First: it’s possible he is someone who would have checked himself and his comments after he was called out on it, and had the producers not fired Eliza Dushku, none of this would have happened. Once again shows the sick culture at CBS. If they had a system in place to even just slap him on the wrist, and support her rather than retaliate, it might have worked out. Idiots.
Second: Wait….he was one of the GOOD ones on the NCIS set?? Oh s**t! 😬
Well, sure. But I’m not sure the lead actor on the show texting the show’s producer, saying they want to discuss a co-worker’s “sense of humor”, immediately after said co-worker meets with actor to let him know she does not consider his jokes about her body, sex life, etc made in front of the crew to be funny, could be considered a hint that said actor is about to “check himself” . Particularly when the next shoe to drop is the actress being fired.
But, sure, its…possible.
Of course they did. Why some women feel compelled to do that is beyond me. But I will keep all the bitchiness for the one who truly deserves it and that would be the male mofo in that story.
They didn’t have to say a thing publicly. They could have sent him words of support through email or text. Instead, they made it seem as if Eliza had made unfounded allegations against him. She didn’t and CBS ultimately proved she had been harassed. Why choose this hill to figuratively die on? He isn’t worth it.
Like these women are part of the problem.
Men who abuse always have a woman backing them up,
God, this is awful. What makes these bastards think their behaviour is acceptable? Those messages of support for him (or anyone else, for that matter) are fine, but they still don’t mean he did not do what he’s accused of. It just never seems to end…
If you haven’t already heard, you soon will: Today, Yael Stone (Orange Is The New Black) went public with her accusations against Geoffrey Rush. She did a great interview with Leigh Sales on the highly-respected 7.30 Report, on ABCTV Australia. Yael was very thoughtful, eloquent, intelligent and had a lot of interesting things to say.
Saw a report last night. He allegedly danced in front of her naked!!🤢
Didn’t she also say she encouraged his behaviour too?
Is this an attempt by both actresses to signal to the networks that they are available for work and are not “troublemakers” and are not going to rock any boats?
Also wasn’t there actual video evidence of his behaviour? What exactly does it take for men to not have some woman rushing in to defend him?
“Well Jack the Ripper never killed me, so I don’t know what those accusations are about”
Yup on both counts. The proof was provided BY CBS because they thought it reflected badly on Eliza (she was cursing) when instead it showed exactly the kind of behavior she was upset about. That’s how clueless CBS was. And these broads want a check. Has either of them really worked since NCIS? They want back in the CBS fold and are willing to sell themselves out and ignore the evidence to do it.
I can’t deal with the argument that if a guy doesn’t harass/abuse/assault most of the women in his life, he must not have done it to anyone. You don’t need to be a serial offender to be guilty.
lol, okay ladies. Don’t come crying when it’s your bodily autonomy on the line.
That goes for a lot of actresses who know/knew about things. I mean how can you not know about Weinstein and not speak up. Makes you as guilty as he is.
Former NCIs co star Lauren Holly came out and said the same thing which is a bummer.
As others have said-just because someone doesn’t harass you doesn’t mean they haven’t done the same thing to someone else. Also he’s on tape harassing her. And there’s emails and texts where he/producers push to get her fired after she told him to knock it off. This isn’t a he said/she said thing. They wrote the payoff into the budget for Pete’s sake (a show he’s still on as both actor and producer on so he’ll be fine)
This is gross and unnecessary. There was enough proof, including footage from the show, that was bad enough that they paid Eliza for 4 years of salary. If these women were not harassed by him, I’m glad for them, truly, but there was PROOF he did this to Eliza.
If they were trying to clear up rumors about themselves, all they had to do was say their working relationship with him was fine and not the reason they quit. That’s it. But these snuggly pics and “I love you!” comments are just GROSS.
My sexual harasser treated all other women in the office really great. A true gentleman. Because I’m overweight and less atttractive, he “could never date me” (unlike the other women) so he didn’t bother with the nice guy act with me.. So he disparaged me constantly, telling me how He fantasizes about some of my nicer body parts (I love your big tits) but I really need to know he could never date me if we slept together. I never once brought up my personal life to this man or acted interested in him. I asked him to stop over and over. He always waited until I was alone in the office to pull up a chair and share these perverted thoughts. He kept the harassment secret because he knew it was inappropriate. When I reported him, almost every woman in the office, plus most of the men, went to our manager to declare how great my male coworker is and that I must be lying. Nasty office comments in retaliation. Because it hadn’t happened to them, they refused to believe it. Because of this, I lose all respect for women who put out these public statements of support for accused harassers ( and in this case it’s in tape, so pretty clear!). It is always a form of victim shaming, intentional or not. Believe the accuser is lying? Great. Privately support your friend. Don’t put out support statements like Lena Dunham, etc.
I’m really sorry you went through that. It really does hurt when people show you who they are.
I can’t believe women are still being dumb enough to release these statements of support when they almost always blow up in their face. As someone else said, you don’t pay out nearly $10 mil for nothing. There was video evidence.
Lol, in trenches.
With craft services.
Right?! Lol
That all caps “I KNOW” in Pauley’s post is especially gross… Like she’s trying to say she’s the only one who understands the real story. B*tch please.
A bit off topic, but good God he looks rough in those social media posts. He used to be cute. I find it annoying he can still get his own show whereas women his age must be botoxed to the nines to get their own show.
Ugh. Shades of the “Well, he didn’t rape US” letter about Brett Kavanaugh.
God, that STILL makes me mad. Your whiteness will not protect you, ladies. When it comes down to you v. them, men will ALWAYS stick with their own.
As usual, the Twitter replies to Pauley’s pathetic tweet are pretty disgusting.
Well, they wouldn’t pay A WOMAN who only did a few spots almost $10 million for nothing … guess that “hot mic” caught a lot of his BULL … those women look foolish … especially Paulie, with her history.
Did anyone else think that Cote de Pablo (Ziva on NCIS)’s exit from the show was oddly timed? I certainly hope she didn’t find herself in a similar situation as Eliza.
There’s always been a mystery about her sudden departure. They had the rewrite several scripts to fit it in. Cote de Pablo also hasn’t really worked much since she left so there is that too.
She and Michael Weatherly are suppose to be working on a production deal with CBS.
I understand the impulse of wanting to protect someone who is you friend, a colleague who is always good with you, who is respectful and fun. But it doesn’t mean that you can speak for someone else. This is the only thing that had to be added to her message and it would have been just fine. In this way you suggest your experience without demeaning or minimizing someone else. Is that so difficult? I think we all would benefit from admitting that human relationships and interactions are messy and complicated and asked ourselves how we should deal with them going forward.
I don’t think they are saying he’s innocent are they? I took it more as just support for a friend. Right or wrong, they just show they care about him.
Lauren Holly and Pauley Perette in particular are hypocrites. Both have been vocal supports of me too# and have had their own share of harassment. Imagine their outrage if women in the lives of the men who harassed them came out with this kind of support.
They support me too# and always believe the woman unless the accused is their friend.
All 4 actresses and Michael Weatherly are cancelled.
Life is short. There is only so much time to watch tv shows and movies. Why support the shows of problematic people when there are other options.
Update to my earlier comment. Lauren Holly, Sasha Alexander, Pauley Perette and his current costar Geneva Carr have all come out in support of him. Ugh! That is what I meant by all 4 actresses .
Something to consider: Lauren Holly, Sasha Alexander, and Pauley Perette all worked with Weatherly on NCIS, where he was a co-star, not THE star of the show like he is on Bull. The social/professional dynamic with him could have been completely different on the 2 shows; he might’ve kept himself in check more on NCIS, being the second banana to Mark Harmon.
Also, Lauren Holly, Sasha Alexander, Pauley Perette and Geneva Carr are all costars. Weatherly knew he’d be dealing with them on a regular basis, so perhaps he made a conscious decision to keep his behavior in check with them. Eliza Dushku was originally supposed to have a 2- or 3-episode story arc; Weatherly may have thought, “Well, she’ll be gone soon, so I won’t have to deal with any negative fallout.” I think that’s why he bad-mouthed Dushku to the producers when they asked about keeping her on as a series regular — he knew he’d been inappropriate with her and figured he’d be in trouble if she stayed on.
Don’t forget about Mr David Letterman everyone.
He had an affair w a co worker plus he was extorted by her boyfriend or husband bc he was angry.
Nothing.
I think it was wrong for him to try to extort DL,
He should have paid for that in some way.
And I’m sure that co worker was not the first.
There was rumors of a special room David had for his whatever they were.
Omarosa had herself well prepared for anything Trump or his henchmen could dish out to her. It was a pen that was actually a recording device. These things are not all that expensive. Some are under $100.00.
I would urge anyone who is being harrassed to get one and get proof – 2 or 3 times – before reporting the abuser.