Sunday evening’s Golden Globes red carpet felt like a longtime-coming reckoning for E! News as several actresses spoke out in support of Catt Sadler following her departure from the network because of a pay-disparity dispute. And now the former anchor has fired back herself at her former employer, which recently claimed that the disparity in pay between Sadler and former colleague Jason Kennedy was somehow justified.
On Tuesday, while speaking to reporters during the Television Critics Association press tour, NBCU Lifestyle president Frances Berwick spoke openly about Sadler’s decision to leave E! after learning she made nearly half of cohost Kennedy’s salary. Berwick said she “wanted to set the record straight” that Sadler and Kennedy’s salaries couldn’t be fairly compared as the pair had “different roles” at the network. Berwick went on to justify the pay gap by explaining that Sadler and Kennedy had different amounts of airtime and different focuses altogether. “Our employees’ salaries are based on their roles and their expertise, regardless of gender,” Berwick said, following up with, “Catt was focused on daytime. Jason Kennedy is on prime evening news, plus red carpet.”
But in an interview today with The Hollywood Reporter, Sadler vehemently denied these claims by Berwick. According to Sadler, comparing Kennedy’s involvement with the network against her own would be comparing “apples to apples.” She continued, “We came to the network at the same time and did similar jobs. For people to use the argument that Giuliana somehow made more money than Jason, that comparison doesn’t work. They’re apples and oranges. She joined before him, she was managing editor, she had multiple shows on the network. It’s unfortunate that people who don’t work there are trying to be the voice for the network. The only story I can tell is my truth, and the truth speaks for itself.”
Back in December in the initial post on her website announcing her separation with E!, Sadler wrote, “I have two decades experience in broadcasting and started at the network the very same year as my close friend and colleague that I adore. My team and I asked for what I know I deserve and were denied repeatedly.”
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