Stephen Colbert Puts Jokes Aside as He Opens Up About Allegations Against Les Moonves

Late night talk show host Stephen Colbert got serious for a moment in Monday's show as he tackled the sexual harassment allegations against CBS President Les Moonves.

"Les Moonves is my guy. He hired me to sit in this chair," Colbert told his audience. "He stood behind this show while we were struggling to find our voice."

Colbert noted, "I like working for him, but accountability is meaningless unless it's for everybody. Whether it's the leader of the network, or the leader of the free world."

Three years ago, Moonves was in the front row for Colbert's first show. The two became friends.

In a New Yorker article by Ronan Farrow that was published Friday, six women accused Moonves of sexual harassment. Four of the women claimed he forcibly kissed or touched them. The women said their careers suffered after they rejected Moonves' advances.

"I recognize that there were times decades ago when I may have made some women uncomfortable by making advances," Moonves said in a statement. "Those were mistakes, and I regret them immensely. But I always understood and respected — and abided by the principle — that 'no' means 'no,' and I have never misused my position to harm or hinder anyone's career."

The CBS Board of Directors decided Monday that an independent counsel will investigate the claims. Moonves will remain in charge until that probe is completed.

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