E! refuses to believe they did anything wrong!
As we reported in December, Catt Sadler announced she was leaving the network after learning cohost Jason Kennedy “was making double my salary and has been for several years.”
According to an US Weekly source, the female journalist made “about $600,000 per year,” while her male counterpart raked in “around $1 million a year, maybe $1.2 million.”
Related: Jason Kennedy’s Wife SLAMMED Catt!
On Tuesday, Frances Berwick, president of NBCUniversal Cable‘s Lifestyle Networks, commented on the controversy at the Television Critics Association press tour, and promptly defended the company against claims of sexism and income inequality.
The boss said:
“There is a lot of misinformation out there… Catt Sadler and Jason Kennedy had different roles and therefore different salaries… Catt was focused on daytime, Jason Kennedy is on prime evening news and the red carpet… Our employees’ salaries are based on their roles and their expertise, regardless of gender. So we wish Catt well, but I hope that sets the record straight.”
Different roles?? Catt not only hosted E! News and several Live From the Red Carpet specials in the evening, she was one of three daytime pundits on Daily Pop. You just have to be a regular E! watcher to see how similar their on-air duties really were.
Following the 43-year-old’s exit, several celebs — including Jennifer Lawrence and Jessica Chastain — have publicly rallied around the Indiana-native.
On Sunday, while speaking to Giuliana Rancic at the Golden Globes red carpet, Will & Grace star Debra Messing SLAMMED E! (on E!) for how they treated Sadler. Eva Longoria and Sarah Jessica Parker also made on-air comments about the salary dispute.
The next day, Catt went on Twitter and thank her supporters for their “relentless pursuit of what’s fair for ALL women.”
#JusticeForCatt!
[Image via Catt Sadler/Instagram.]
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