Les Moonves Heard Those Jokes From Fox's Upfront

CBS

Beware: Les Moonves hears all.

The CBS chief hosted a breakfast press conference Monday morning, and while everyone guzzled coffee, he was asked about those digs Fox co-CEOs Gary Newman and Dana Walden fired earlier this week at their own upfront event.

The head honcho at the so-called Tiffany Network promised reporters that he’ll throw jabs right back at Fox this afternoon, when CBS takes its turn. It shouldn’t be too hard for Moonves to pull off, as CBS finished first this season in both the key 18-49 demographic and among total viewers; Fox was third and fourth, respectively.

Kind of makes you wonder why Newman and Walden didn’t go for the kill with ABC instead.

Also Read: Fox TV Boss Gary Newman Takes Jabs at CBS, Les Moonves

Here’s what happened on Monday: Following a lively “Empire” cast musical performance, Fox’s Newman had quipped: “Let’s see the cast of ‘NCIS’ do that.” Then he got more personal from the Beacon Theatre stage.

While glowing about his “Gotham,” Newman teased the biggest DC Comics villain of them all, revealing a photo of a bald Moonves, who very much has a full head of hair. The CBS president and chairman looked an awful lot like Superman baddie Lex Luthor.

Later during Fox’s event, Homer Simpson even got in on the fun, calling CBS viewers “walking zombies” in a pre-taped skit.

Fast-forward two days, and Moonves told a handful of journalists that he saw Newman and Walden at an event last night, and gave them good-natured kudos on the performance and jokes. We’ll see how friendly the fire really is today at 4 p.m. ET.

36 'Survivor,' 'Amazing Race' and 'Big Brother' Stars Come on Down for Primetime 'Price Is Right' (Photos)

If you like CBS' reality shows, come on down! From Boston Rob and Rupert to the Afghanimals and Brenchel, Dr. Will and Frankie Grande, stars from "Survivor," "Big Brother" and "The Amazing Race" and the hosts are pumping up primetime specials of "The Price is Right."
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The "Survivor" show starts the week on Monday, May 23.
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CBS fans love tie-dyed former gubernatorial candidate Rupert Boneham, who was voted a $1 million prize in a national popularity contest several years ago. He has appeared on "Survivor" four times.
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Reality stars will be playing as teams with superfans, helping the fans win prizes. It's not like Boston Rob (front left) needs it. He and his wife have both cashed $1 million checks from CBS.
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But it looks like his winning ways continue for his lucky partner (Potential spoiler alert: TheWrap has not seen the episodes and we know only what we see from these photos.)
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One contestant in yellow looks a lot like Tyson Apostol, who won $1 million on his third season of "Survivor." His star-teammate Kelley Wentworth (in magenta) became a huge fan favorite last fall, after winning her way back on to the show in a nationwide vote.
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Brilliant! One prize up for grabs is a trip to the place where Mark Burnett's industry-revolutionizing series began in 2000: Borneo.
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Kids love Woo. Let's hope he makes better decisions here on this stage.
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Remember, Jeff Probst began his career hosting "Rock N' Roll Jeopardy" on VH1, so he has bona fide game show DNA.
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He's also no stranger to CBS crossovers. In 2013, he had a famous appearance, looking ready to pose for the cover of Men's Health, on "Two and a Half Men."
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"Amazing Race" host Phil Keoghan raises his trademark "starting claw." He hosts the only one of the three shows that never ever shoots anything on a soundstage.
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Appropriately, the "Race" stars come running in. They are led by most recent winners, Kelsey and Joey, broadcast news anchors from Santa Barbara.
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Two-time racers "The Afghanimals" (Leo and Jamal) always embrace opportunities within the reality alumni community.
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"The Price Is Right" host Drew Carey reads from a "Race" envelope -- and it looks like a frame from a comic book's bizarro world.
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Cute tie-in. This season, "The Amazing Race" visited the French Alps to rappel across ravines, set off avalanches, and paraglide off a mountaintop. Mark and Bopper have the chance to avenge their memorable dancing task meltdown in the spring 2012 season with this much safer mountain-man game.
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The Chenbot is fully charged. Of all the talent involved in this four-show collaboration, "Big Brother" host Julie Chen probably knew about it first.

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"Big Brother" contestants are very good at being cooped up in a pen for a long time.
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Bravo, producers! Staples of the "Big Brother" house like the hammock and the hot tub could be theirs... if the price is right.
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Don't bet against the "Big Brother" contestants. The kitschy challenges and quirks of that franchise align most closely with TPIR's mini-games.
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Rachel Reilly (right) has appeared on both "Big Brother" and "The Amazing Race" twice. She bleeds the type of hysteria that fits well for a supersize primetime game show.
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Since taping earlier this spring, Rachel (and husband Brendon, also a four-time cast member) have given birth to a girl named Adora. You can follow @AdoraVillegas on Instagram already. She has 2,728 followers, which is likely more than you, a fully grown adult.
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Fun fact: Dr. Will Kirby (left) was simultaneously in the final stages of casting for both an NBC series and "Big Brother" in 2001. He dropped off the face of the earth, going dark on producers for the NBC show, and days later appeared in a CBS cast announcement for "Big Brother 2," which he went on to win.
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Who's more popular: Ariana Grande's brother Frankie, or the Zingbot?
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The "Big Brother" team includes recent winner Ian Terry (far left), Grande (in gold), three-time player Janelle Pierzina (in white) and Jeff Schroeder (far right), who has done both "Big Brother" and "Race" and hosted segments for CBS.com.
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CBS hosts Jeff Probst, Phil Keoghan, and Julie Chen also appear in specials airing May 23-25

If you like CBS' reality shows, come on down! From Boston Rob and Rupert to the Afghanimals and Brenchel, Dr. Will and Frankie Grande, stars from "Survivor," "Big Brother" and "The Amazing Race" and the hosts are pumping up primetime specials of "The Price is Right."

View In Gallery

36 'Survivor,' 'Amazing Race' and 'Big Brother' Stars Come on Down for Primetime 'Price Is Right' (Photos)

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