Hugh Jackman and Stephen Colbert have been caught up in the latest US TV executive scandal rocking the CBS Network after sexual and homophobic language was allegedly used in the workplace.
Several CBS staffers have come forward to CNN and claimed senior vice president of talent for CBS Televisions Studios, Vincent “Vinnie” Favale used sexual innuendo, made homophobic comments and allegedly said derogatory remarks about the appearances of female guests on The Late Show.
A current CBS employee and a former executive said they heard Favale derogatorily use “homos” and “gay” in reference to heterosexual guests and co-workers.
He allegedly questioned Colbert’s sexual orientation in rehearsals.
“He would frequently call Stephen [Colbert] gay because of his seeming inability to interview women well,” the former executive told CNN.
“He would say this in rehearsals, the control room. Sometimes the CBS attorney would even be present, which to me is just shocking that nothing was done.”
The current CBS employee recalled an incident in which Favale was “bashing” actor Hugh Jackman when the actor appeared on the show in 2017 to promote his film “Logan.”
The employee said that Favale was standing in front of five to seven colleagues when she heard him say Jackman was “gay” and “in the closet.”
Favale allegedly described Jackman’s now 22-year marriage to Deborra-Lee Furness as “fake.”
“It was so offensive,” the employee said. “I really couldn’t believe it. I mean, this is an executive talking so openly like this … it’s mind-blowing.”
Favale was placed on administrative leave on Wednesday, according to a spokesperson for CBS.
Favale denies allegations of retaliation and said his comments were taken out of context.
Last Updated on Oct 5, 2018
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