The Price is Right, a beloved American game show, has enjoyed decades of success, with legendary host Bob Barker at the helm. Yet beneath the sparkling surface of its iconic set, a much darker reality simmered for years. Allegations of sexual harassment, racial discrimination, wrongful termination, and emotional abuse have cast a long shadow over the show’s legacy. These accusations point to a toxic work environment where power dynamics were often exploited, and where women, particularly the Barker Beauties, faced mistreatment and abuse. Over the years, multiple lawsuits against Bob Barker and the show’s producers shed light on the disturbing culture behind the scenes.

Brandy Cochran vs. The Price is Right In 2010, Brandy Cochran, a former model on the show, filed a lawsuit against the producers, claiming that her miscarriage was a direct result of discriminatory treatment while pregnant. Brandy alleged that she faced bullying and harassment from producers, including Michael Richards, who reportedly distanced himself from her after her pregnancy became known. She claimed that other models who became pregnant were also mistreated and even discouraged from having children for fear of losing their jobs. Tragically, one of her twins died during pregnancy, and the surviving twin was born premature. Despite her hardship, Brandy was fired from the show, with producers citing her weight gain as a reason for her dismissal. After years of legal battles, Brandy settled for an undisclosed sum in 2016, exposing the toxic culture that persisted long after Bob Barker’s departure.

Janice Pennington vs. CBS and The Price is Right Janice Pennington, one of the original Barker Beauties, filed a lawsuit after an accident on the show’s set in 1988. A cameraman struck her in the face, causing her to fall from a high stage and suffer significant injuries. Though she returned to work after surgery, Janice’s injuries left her with lasting physical consequences, including scars and a shorter shoulder. She filed a lawsuit against CBS, claiming negligence, and was awarded $1.3 million in damages after a lengthy trial. Janice’s case highlighted the lack of workplace safety on the set, as well as the emotional toll that these events had on her life.

Shane Sterling vs. Bob Barker and The Price is Right Shane Sterling, a former Barker Beauty, filed a lawsuit in 2010 after being dismissed from the show. Shane alleged that she was forced to take maternity leave for an extended period, which ultimately led to her losing her job. She accused Bob Barker of pressuring her to take an early pregnancy leave and claimed that her dismissal was tied to her inability to bond with the new staff. Shane sought $25,000 in damages for emotional distress but lost the case when the judge ruled that her dismissal was legitimate, despite her claims of pregnancy discrimination.

Janice Pennington’s Firing in 2000 In 2000, Janice Pennington was abruptly fired from The Price is Right, and her departure shocked both her and the audience. Many speculated that her firing was related to her support of fellow model Holly Hallstrom, who had previously filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the show. Janice’s dismissal was controversial because she was not given a formal farewell or announcement, and many fans felt that she deserved better after decades of service. Janice later linked her firing to her involvement in the Hallstrom case, raising suspicions of retaliation from Bob Barker and the show’s producers.

Lanisha Cole vs. The Price is Right Producers Lanisha Cole, a former model on the show, filed a lawsuit in 2011, accusing the producers of wrongful termination, harassment, and emotional distress. She claimed that she was singled out by producer Michael Richards, who reportedly showed favoritism to another model he was dating while criticizing Lanisha for rule violations that were never clearly communicated to her. The most disturbing claim involved producer Adam Sandler, who allegedly barged into the women’s dressing room and scolded Lanisha while she was in a bikini, causing her humiliation. Lanisha’s lawsuit was settled out of court, but the terms of the settlement were kept confidential, leaving many questions unanswered.

The Mass Firings In a series of firings, several employees of The Price is Right were dismissed for refusing to testify in favor of Bob Barker during a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by Holly Hallstrom. These employees, who had been loyal to the show for years, found themselves out of work after choosing not to align with Barker’s interests during the legal battle. The firings were seen as a direct response to their refusal to support Barker and led to multiple wrongful termination lawsuits. The secrecy surrounding the outcomes of these cases added to the growing speculation about the toxic culture at The Price is Right.

Claudia Jordan vs. Bob Barker and The Price is Right Claudia Jordan, known for her appearances on Celebrity Apprentice and The Real Housewives of Atlanta, also filed a lawsuit against Bob Barker and the show’s producers in 2004. She accused producer Phil Rossy of making inappropriate advances and sexually harassing her. After filing a formal complaint, she claimed she was retaliated against and eventually fired. Claudia’s lawsuit included allegations of wrongful termination, sexual harassment, and racial discrimination, shedding light on the ongoing mistreatment of women on the show. The case was settled out of court, but the secrecy surrounding the settlement kept the full details of the case from the public.

Holly Hallstrom vs. Bob Barker and The Price is Right In 1995, Holly Hallstrom filed a lawsuit against Bob Barker and the show’s producers, claiming she was fired due to weight gain caused by prescription medication. She also alleged that she was pressured to publicly support false stories about her colleague Diane Parkinson, who had filed her own lawsuit against the show. Hallstrom’s case dragged on for years, and at one point, she was left financially drained and living in her car. Despite these challenges, Holly eventually prevailed, and the court awarded her a multi-million dollar settlement. Her case became a symbol of the mistreatment of women behind the scenes at The Price is Right.

Deborah Curling vs. Bob Barker and The Price is Right Deborah Curling, a contestant screener on The Price is Right, filed a lawsuit in 2007 accusing Bob Barker and the show’s producers of racial discrimination and sexual harassment. Curling claimed that after testifying against Barker in another lawsuit, she was subjected to a hostile work environment. She alleged that Barker fostered a discriminatory atmosphere and made racist and anti-Semitic jokes. Although her lawsuit was dismissed due to lack of evidence, it remains a significant part of the controversy surrounding Bob Barker’s departure from the show. Many speculated that her lawsuit played a role in his sudden retirement.

Diane Parkinson vs. Bob Barker and The Price is Right Diane Parkinson filed a high-profile lawsuit against Bob Barker in 1994, accusing him of coercing her into a sexual relationship under the threat of losing her job. Diane claimed that her unwillingness to comply with Barker’s advances led to her wrongful termination. Despite Barker’s admission to a consensual affair, Parkinson’s lawsuit outlined a pattern of sexual harassment and abuse, which she claimed caused her to suffer a miscarriage. Though the case was eventually dropped due to mounting legal costs, it remains one of the most infamous lawsuits against Bob Barker and The Price is Right.

These lawsuits paint a troubling picture of The Price is Right’s behind-the-scenes culture, revealing a pattern of exploitation, retaliation, and mistreatment that affected many of the show’s employees. The ongoing legal battles against Bob Barker and the producers of The Price is Right highlight the darker side of a show that millions of people once held dear.