Julie Chen returns to "Big Brother" as "Julie Chen Moonves"

Julie Chen She did something on Thursday night, she never did in her 19 years at CBS … she identified herself as "Julie Chen Moonves" … and make no mistake – this 39 is a big statement.

Julie came back to CBS to animate "Big Brother" … 4 days after her husband and former boss The Moonves was eliminated as leader of the network.

Julie never referred to the scandal or to Les by her name, but she slammed the show. Note that Julie has been a presenter of "CBS This Morning", "The Talk", "Big Brother" and other CBS shows, and she has NEVER used her husband's last name … until now.

Before the show, Julie teased her return with a picture bearing "Big Brother" smart cards, but she made it clear to everyone … her wedding band and her wedding are intact.

pic.twitter.com/0FOxdSlVos

– Julie Chen (@JulieChen) September 14, 2018

Julie did not return to "The Talk", and we do not know when that will happen, but Sharon Osbourne said Monday that she would be back after taking a few days off.

Little story … anyone who thought Julie would follow her husband out the door could be wrong.