After it was revealed that Les Moonves was directly involved in a $9.5 million payout to Eliza Dushku in January after the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” alum accused “Bull” star Michael Weatherly of sexual harassment, Weatherly’s former “NCIS” alums took to Twitter to defend their former co-star.
“NCIS” fan favorite Pauley Perrette posted a pic of herself and Weatherly with the caption: “This man… I love, respect, trust, and I KNOW. TWO decades of friendship and respect. The best. I love you @M_Weatherly Always and forever.”
Sasha Alexander also chimed in, posting a pic of the two of them. “I have been in trenches w/ my friend @M_Weatherly,” she wrote. “Always laughs, true friend & [heart] as big as they come.”
Deadline exclusively reported the story that Mooves was involved in the sexual harassment payout during Dushku’s appearance on the first season of “Bull.” Additionally, the confidential payment was sneaked into “Bull’s” production budget in an effort apparently motivated to avoid the sum popping up on the company’s books, sources say.
Though Dushku believed she was going to become a series regular on “Bull” after an initial three-episode appearance at the end of the September 20, 2016 debut Season 1, that deal changed as producer Glen Gordon Caron prepared to take over as showrunner for Season 2.
Dushku complained about Weatherly, who made remarks about her appearance, made a rape joke, and commented about a threesome. As her complaints about Weatherly moved up the corporate food chain in early 2017, “Bull” producers decided Dushku would be better-suited as a recurring character in the immediate future seasons and not a better-paid regular.
The actor declined that far less lucrative scenario and was soon written out of Bull altogether. That led to the retaliation complaint and that $9.5 million settlement that was designed to provide the financial equivalent of around five seasons on the show.