Charlie Rose's shell-shocked co-hosts react on air to allegations that he sexually harassed women
CBS This Morning hosts Norah O'Donnell and Gayle King delivered powerful, shaken reactions Tuesday morning to the news that their co-host, veteran journalist Charlie Rose, was suspended following eight women's accusations of sexual harassment. "Let me be very clear," said O'Donnell, looking firmly into the camera. "There is no excuse for this alleged behavior. It is systematic and pervasive, and I've been doing a lot of listening."
King was also deeply affected by the news. "I am really reeling," she said, calling the Washington Post article that first reported the allegations "deeply disturbing, troubling, and painful for me to read."
"Oprah called me and said, are you okay? I am not okay," King said. She explained: "I'm really struggling, because how do you — what do you say when someone that you deeply care about has done something that is so horrible?"
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King added that despite her conflicted feelings, "Charlie does not get a pass here. He doesn't get a pass from anyone in this room." Watch her comments below. Jeva Lange
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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.