CBS Argues First Amendment in Bid to Dismiss 'Matlock' Writer Lawsuit
The Hollywood Reporter • • entertainment
Key Points:
- CBS Television Studios is seeking dismissal of some claims in a lawsuit filed by Matlock writer John Lowe, invoking First Amendment protections and arguing that decisions about his employment were creative choices protected by free speech.
- Lowe alleges a hostile work environment marked by racial and sexual discrimination, including a supervisor referring to Juneteenth as “Coonteenth,” and claims he was terminated after reporting the incident.
- CBS denies the allegations, calling them false and malicious, and emphasizes support for its producers while asserting Lowe was not terminated but rather his contract was not extended due to performance issues.
- The studio detailed Lowe’s alleged shortcomings, such as failing to meet writing assignments and poor script contributions, with executive producers stating his work was reviewed and found unsatisfactory.
- Matlock showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman specifically denied the claim regarding the Juneteenth comment, labeling it as fabricated by Lowe.
