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Art Streiber/Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. ©2015 — WBEI/Bill Inoshita/CBS 2013 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.(LOS ANGELES) — Chuck Lorre, creator of CBS TV’s biggest shows, including The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon and Mom, has worked closely with CBS President and CEO Les Moonves — the latest entertainment figure to face allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior. So it’s not surprising Lorre was asked to give his thoughts on the accusations at this weekend’s Television Critics Association press tour over the weekend.
Lorre avoided giving direct answers, saying he didn’t consider his panel the “proper venue” to discuss the allegations but stressed the workplace needs to be safe.
“You can’t do good work in an unsafe environment,” said Lorre. “It has to be made safe for everyone…Why would anyone want to go to work in an environment that’s not nurturing. You certainly can’t do comedy if you’re frightened.”
Lorre went on: “I can’t believe we actually have that conversation. That just goes without saying. That’s that’s common courtesy and decency to take care of each other.”
He also drew laughs when he added, “I have been in some unsafe work environments in television. You can read about them.” Lorre was notoriously fired from the original Roseanne after butting heads with Roseanne Barr, and also endured very public insults from Charlie Sheen after firing him from Two and a Half Men, which Lorre created and produced, due to his drug and alcohol abuse.
An article published in The New Yorker last week alleges Moonves engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior, including unwanted kissing and touching that occurred over 20 years ago.
Moonves has denied the allegations, but acknowledges there were times “decades ago” when he “may have made some women uncomfortable by making advances.” He adds, “Those were mistakes, and I regret them immensely.”
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