Suit claims 'atmosphere of terror' on Price is Right set

Last Updated: Friday, October 5, 2007 | 10:09 AM ET

CBC News

A former employee of The Price is Right is suing Bob Barker and the producers of the popular game show, saying she was forced out of her job.

Deborah Curling said former host Barker created "an atmosphere of terror" on the show.

Game show host Bob Barker, 83, waves goodbye after taping his final episode of The Price is Right in June. A former employee says he's no fun to work with.
(Damian Dovarganes/Canadian Press)

She said her own hostile work environment arose after she testified against Barker in a wrongful termination lawsuit.

Curling filed a lawsuit Thursday in Los Angeles Superior court seeking unspecified damages.

Curling, whose job was initially screening contestants for the show, said she was in a "pleasant working environment" for many years.

But after she testified in the wrongful termination suit of a former production assistant, she was moved from that job to one working backstage, she claims in her court filing.

That was an "intolerable" work environment in which black employees and black contestants were discriminated against, she said.

"Barker created an atmosphere of terror on the show, as a result of which any employee who complained about the working environment or contradicted Barker was fired," the lawsuit said.

Curling, who is black, claims she was forced to quit the popular game show last fall.

Barker retired as host of The Price is Right in June and has been replaced by Drew Carey.

Neither Barker nor producer Fremantle Entertainment would comment on the suit.