CBS stands with Matlock’s executive producers who have been accused of making racist and sexist remarks. The allegations come from a former writer on the show.
According to Variety, CBS Studios has filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed earlier this year by John Lowe, a former writer on the legal drama Matlock. The motion, which was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court under the anti-SLAPP statute, contests Lowe’s allegations against showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman and executive producers Nicki Renna and Jeffrey Lieber.
Lowe has alleged that the producers made “racially stereotyped comments about his body and genitalia,” as well as about other Black cast and crew members. He also claimed that it created a “hostile work environment.”
CBS Studios has defended the producers in their recent motion. “We take allegations of discrimination and harassment very seriously,” a spokesperson from the company said. “Today, with the filing of our motion to strike, we took our first step toward challenging the baseless complaint filed by former ‘Matlock’ writer John Lowe. As stated in the motion and following a thorough investigation, we are confident that Lowe’s accusations are demonstrably inaccurate and maliciously fabricated and will not allow them to go unchallenged.”
The spokesperson added, “False allegations are deeply damaging, both to those wrongly accused and to anyone with a serious and legitimate claim of discrimination.” They concluded, “We stand firmly behind our producers and look forward to the truth coming to light.”
What else do we know about the Matlock lawsuit?
In his lawsuit against CBS Studios and the Matlock producers, Lowe also claimed he was terminated from his position as a writer on the show as a form of retaliation. In their response, Urman, Renna, Lieber, and other witnesses disputed the claim, saying that Urman “never used that word (and) did not say it to Ms. Renna, to Lowe, or to anyone else.”
The producers also responded to Lowe’s allegations about sexually charged comments. “Lowe’s sexuality or his sex life was never questioned, nor was his body ever commented on,” they declared.
Lowe’s attorney, Ron Zambrano, had previously stated, “There is no excuse for this blatant racism and harassment. CBS should be ashamed for allowing it, and the ‘Matlock’ showrunner and producers should be held accountable.”
CBS Studio stated in its filing that Lowe’s complaint was “filled with fabrications and outright lies that it resembles a grotesque work of fiction more than a court pleading.”
Originally reported on ComingSoon.
