CBS Hit with Explosive Allegations by Black Writer

CBS is facing a legal firestorm after a Black writer for the hit reboot Matlock sued the network and several of the show’s top bosses, accusing them of allowing a workplace filled with racist, sexual and degrading remarks.

John Lowe filed the lawsuit in California on Wednesday, June 17, claiming CBS Television Studios, showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman, and executive producers Nicki Renna and Jeffrey Lieber created a hostile work environment behind the scenes of the Kathy Bates-led legal drama.

The allegations are especially explosive for a network that, like much of Hollywood, has spent years publicly touting its commitment to diversity, inclusion and workplace safety.

According to Lowe’s complaint, the Matlock writers’ room and production environment were allegedly “permeated by sexually explicit and discriminatory conduct.” He claims the behavior was directed not only at him, but also at other Black cast and crew members.

One of the most shocking allegations centers on Juneteenth, the federal holiday marking the end of slavery in the United States.

Lowe claims Urman referred to the holiday as “Coonteenth,” a remark he said left him devastated.

“She said it on purpose as a way of letting me know that she owns me to a degree,” Lowe told The Hollywood Reporter. He said he cried after the alleged comment.

Lowe claims that after he raised concerns about the alleged behavior, he was placed on hiatus and eventually fired.

CBS has denied wrongdoing.

A CBS spokesperson said the network is “committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for everyone and take all workplace complaints seriously.”

The spokesperson added, “In this instance, a thorough investigation was completed, and we were unable to find support for his allegations. We look forward to vigorously defending this lawsuit.”

But Lowe’s lawsuit paints a much darker picture of what he says happened behind closed doors on one of CBS’ biggest current shows.

The complaint alleges that Lowe’s race and body were repeatedly brought up in inappropriate ways. He claims his shoe size and race were discussed, and that he was told he was “well-endowed down there.”

The lawsuit also alleges that someone asked Lowe how he “handled a man’s genitals.”

Urman is at the center of many of the allegations. Lowe claims she pressured him into caring for her dog for nearly a year, which he described in the lawsuit as “racially motivated harassment” and an abuse of supervisory power.

According to Lowe, Urman allegedly told him, “As long as you have this dog, you’ll always have a place here.”

In his interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Lowe described the experience as part of a broader problem for Black writers in Hollywood.

“It’s vicious in a writers’ room as a Black creative,” he said. “You’re either treated like a threat or a pet.”

Lowe also accused executive producer Nicki Renna of inappropriate behavior, claiming she called him at night and told him she was in bed wearing only underwear.

His attorney, Ron Zambrano, blasted CBS and the show’s leadership over the allegations.

“There is no excuse for this blatant racism and harassment,” Zambrano said. “CBS should be ashamed for allowing it, and the Matlock showrunner and producers should be held accountable.”

The lawsuit is another major headache for Matlock, which has been a ratings success for CBS but has already faced behind-the-scenes drama.

Last October, actor David Del Rio was fired from the show after being accused of sexual assault involving co-star Leah Lewis. Del Rio’s wife, Katherine, later slammed Lewis online, calling her “the most disturbing human being I have ever met,” before deleting the post.

Del Rio later claimed evidence that he said refuted the allegations against him was not fully considered before he was terminated. His character was ultimately written out of the show.

Now, with Lowe’s lawsuit, Matlock is once again making headlines for controversy off-camera rather than its success on-screen.

For CBS, the case could become another embarrassing test of whether Hollywood’s public promises about fairness and accountability match what employees say is really happening behind the scenes.