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"I will never forget the day he said he had four erections while watching Jennifer Hudson repeat," a former CBS executive told CNN.
Favale reportedly made this remark about Hudson as he watched the award-winning actor repeat before an appearance in December 2015 in "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert".
Two other employees of CBS, one former and the other current, told CNN that they heard Favale pronounce this vulgar remark. Others told CNN that they had learned from his colleagues later in the day. Of the five sources CNN spoke about the incident, two said Favale made the remark in the presence of a CBS representative responsible for standards and practices.
Favale was put on administrative leave Wednesday, according to a spokeswoman for CBS, following CNN's request to comment on the article. Favale denies the allegations of retaliation and claims that her comments have been taken out of context.
In her current role, Favale develops programming around talent and advises on comedy bookings for the network. He started his career at CBS in 1996 and was a senior executive of the programming for "The Late Show with David Letterman" and "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" until 2017. He has participated several times in the program under comedy form during Letterman's tenure.
From 1998 to 2001, Favale also oversaw the television show "Howard Stern Radio Show" broadcast on CBS. He was recognized by followers of Stern during numerous appearances in his television shows between 2004 and 2012. He is also recognized as one of the founders of the Comedy Central television network.
According to several people who work or have worked with Favale as a CBS executive, the quirky humor that prevailed in some comedy circles has followed him professionally.
Nine current and former employees of CBS, a mix of men and women, have agreed to be interviewed by CNN as part of this story. All spoke under the guise of anonymity, citing non-disclosure agreements or concerns about professional retribution. These people described cases at meetings and rehearsals "Late Show" between 2015 and 2018, where Favale used sexual insinuations, made homophobic comments and allegedly made derogatory remarks about guest appearances.
When CNN contacted her about this story, Favale issued the following statement:
"The allegations that I have retaliated against anyone, in any way, are entirely false. I have spent my entire career working for humorous series, where there is always had a lot of latitude to make transgressive jokes during the preparation of the program, jokes that were attributed to me, whether during rehearsals or production meetings, are taken out of context and are not say in the manner presented here. "
Interviewees for this story said they feel emboldened to share their accounts about Favale's language after the resignation of former CBS CEO, Les Moonves, last month.
Two sources described in detail a problematic "Late Show" department meeting around 2015, where Favale was present and where construction work was heard outside the office.
"There was a big exercise, and we looked outside and went to the window. [Favale] compared the exercise to "a big black dick" as he dug into the ground, "recalls a former CBS employee." I could not believe he said that. "
This former employee stated to be complaining to her superior of the remark on the exercise of Favale and other comments that she found offensive and that she feared to suffer retaliation. .
Favale started blocking "important" and "necessary" meetings, she said. She voluntarily left her role at CBS and stated that Favale was a contributing factor.
The former CBS executive told CNN that two employees complained to her after the remark on the exercise and that she shared their concerns with the Human Resources department of the company. # 39; company. She stated that it seemed to her that the network had taken no visible action against Favale. She also felt that he was beginning to retaliate against her.
"He really knew that I had gone to HR I told him:" People complain about you and I informed them, "she said. "He stopped talking to me for long periods of time, our roles required us to interact … he excluded me from meetings, I went back to HR and I complained, but we did not do it. said that it did not happen and that I had sent the question. " him."
In April 2017, after making at least one formal complaint against HR against Favale, he was promoted to executive director of the network on the east coast of the network.
"Once you realize that this is the kind of thinking and logic that is advancing a career at CBS, as a woman, you have more than one choice," he said. CNN a current employee of CBS. "Are you a person who raises questions and calls that person and put your job at risk, or someone who does not say anything? Or do you become a good girl who laughs with her and hopes to become a cool girl who gets it will help you move forward? These are not choices that someone should have to do at his workplace. "
"He is known for his sexist statements," said another CBS employee about Favale. "But I do not think anyone [in HR] taken seriously because it was not physical. It was not groping, so he got out of it. "
When CNN contacted CBS for this report, it issued the following statement:
"The comments reported in this article are offensive and do not meet the standards we expect from our leaders or the culture we want from CAS.The network has investigated a complaint for abusive language received in January 2016 and corrective action. As the voices of concern are heard almost three years later, an additional review is warranted, and Mr. Favale was taken off the job to allow further consideration. "
"The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" refused to give a separate answer.
Some of the people CNN spoke to also said that Favale made homophobic comments. A CBS employee and former leader said he heard Favale use pejoratively "homos" and "gay" in reference to guests and heterosexual colleagues. He would have questioned Colbert's sexual orientation during rehearsals.
"He would call Stephen frequently [Colbert] cheerful because of her apparent inability to properly interview women, "said the former leader at CNN." He would say that during rehearsals in the control room. Sometimes the CBS lawyer would even be present, which for me is shocking that nothing has been done. "
"It was so shocking," said the employee. "I really could not believe it – I mean, it's a frame that speaks so openly like that … it's amazing."
Two people told CNN that they had witnessed Favale's rhetoric: "Who wants to see this ugly man on television," about an appearance by Rachel Maddow, MSNBC presenter. Another source has heard Favale say a similar comment about a second very lesbian, open invitee.
Favale would ask the producers of "Late Night" to "book warmer women," said several current and former CBS employees. And while giving priority to attractive TV guests is comparable to that of the industry, the sources said that in their opinion, Favale was particularly critical towards women reserved to talk about political or social issues.
"If we wanted to include women scientists or political fools, there were a lot of notes on their appearance," said a former employee.
"When we wanted to book [Gloria], did he declare. We should instead find younger and more active feminists, "said the employee.
Other sources have evoked a meeting of the staff "Late Show" in 2016, bringing together more than 20 people, during which they discussed a group of feminist artists called "Guerilla Girls".
"We were talking about how we were going to record them and they were talking about equality in the art world, and [Favale] The former employee said: "As a woman, when an executive executive states that women who are fighting for equal pay should be silenced, how do you feel as a woman? woman in this culture? "
The former CBS executive told CNN that Favale had made it clear from the first day of his employment that he "had a direct connection with Moonves".
"He would talk about Les and Julie [Chen] all the time … he was just connected up to the top. He would say everything he wants to say, even if it is scandalous, "she said.
CBS hired an outside lawyer to investigate the charges against Moonves, as well as on the wider business culture. CBS also announced a donation of $ 20 million to organizations that support the #MeToo movement, to be deducted from any future Moonves deal.
Last week, CBS disclosed in a file filed with the SEC that it had received subpoenas regarding the allegations brought against Moonves by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and the US Human Rights Commission. man from New York City. The company said it cooperated with the subpoenas and declined to comment on the case.
A current employee of "Late Show" told CNN that promoting Favale in 2017 had resulted in fewer interactions with the show's staff.
"Vinnie was a terrific fit with Colbert's team from day one.These abominable comments were only the symptom of a man who was holding all staff in the act of disrespect," he said. l & # 39; employee. "The fact that he was forced on us as long as he was charged with the classic" network of old boys "that existed at the highest level of CBS."
Another CBS employee said that even if the charges against Favale do not reach the level of those brought against Moonves or some other Hollywood executives, people should become aware of it .
"It's the people who decide every day what you see or do not see on TV and it's important," she said. "It might be easy to dismiss these women:" Oh, they just felt uncomfortable, "or we cry because the boys were mean to us, but these guys are the ones who decide what you see on TV , what your kids see on TV and who should count and [the executives and CBS] should take this responsibility seriously. "
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