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Julie Chen, co-host of the award-winning CBS program "The Talk" since her debut almost ten years ago, announced Tuesday that she would leave the program while her husband, the former network leader Leslie Moonves, continues to fight against sexual harassment allegations against him.
In a video broadcast on "The Talk," Ms. Chen, 48, said that she was leaving because "now, I have to spend more time at home with my husband and our young son." Moonves by name.
However, the decision comes just nine days after Mr. Moonves, 68, resigned as CEO of CBS Corporation, accused by a dozen women of sexual misconduct.
Before reading the video message, one of the hosts of the talk show said that Ms. Chen had recorded her on the set of the CBS reality TV series "Big Brother", where she was working on the episode of Wednesday evening.
On Tuesday evening, three network spokespersons did not respond to an e-mail asking for further clarification on Ms. Chen's future involvement in "Big Brother." The final of the season is scheduled for the end of the month.
"We are all very grateful for the dedication and passion she has brought to the show every day and for her generous role as CBS Daytime ambassador," CBS said in a statement about Ms. Chen's departure. "We are grateful for her many other contributions, respect her decision and wish Julie all the best in everything she does."
Last week, Ms. Chen said she was "taking a few days off" from "The Talk" to be with her family. She has defended her husband since the allegations against him emerged.
In July, the New Yorker published an article by investigative journalist Ronan Farrow in which six women accused Mr. Moonves of sexual harassment. Then, on September 9, the magazine published another article by Mr. Farrow in which six other women detailed the claims against Mr. Moonves.
In a statement that CBS shared with The New Yorker for the July article, Moonves said, "I recognize that decades ago I was able to make some women uneasy by making progress. . These were mistakes and I regret them very much. But I have always understood and respected – and respected the principle – that "no" means "no" and I have never abused my position to harm anyone's career.
After the publication of the July article, Ms. Chen responded with a statement that she posted on Twitter, saying that she knew Mrs. Moonves since the 1990s and noting that she had been married to him for almost 14 years.
"Leslie is a good man and a loving father, a dedicated husband and an inspiring company leader," she wrote. "He has always been a kind, decent and moral human being. I fully support my husband and I am behind him and his statement. "
Then, during the episode of "Big Brother" last Thursday, organized by Ms. Chen since its first broadcast in 2000, she has disengaged as never before.
"I am Julie Chen Moonves" she says. "Good night."
Andrew R. Chow contributed to the report.
Follow Matt Stevens on Twitter: @ByMattStevens.
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