Wave Wire Services
LOS ANGELES — A new docuseries is bringing renewed attention to Bob Barker’s time on the seminal game show “The Price Is Right,” with former models alleging racism, retaliation, and a toxic work environment behind the scenes, according to media reports.
The explosive allegations were revealed in the E network docuseries: “Dirty Rotten Scandals: The Price is Right.”
Kathleen Bradley, the program’s first full-time Black model, says she occasionally heard racist language during production meetings when models were not present, according to the entertainment magazine Complex. She also describes the workplace as one where discrimination was often normalized and rarely challenged.
Former model Claudia Jordan, who also is Black, said producers limited the number of Black contestants allowed per taping to two. She also says contestant cards were marked so Barker would know who was about to “come on down.”
Jordan also said Barker appeared uneasy around Black contestants on stage and that she was sometimes targeted with race-based jokes. Several women also said Barker treated Black contestants and staff differently.
Holly Hallstrom, one of the original Barker’s Beauties, has also spoken publicly about her experiences. She claims Barker showed anger toward fellow model Dian Parkinson and made offensive remarks about Black men during internal disputes.
Hallstrom also alleges she was removed from the show after refusing to support Barker during Parkinson’s sexual harassment lawsuit.
Barker, who died in 2023 at age 99, consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing during his lifetime. His longtime representative has also rejected the claims raised in the documentary.
