“We take allegations of discrimination and harassment very seriously,” CBS Studios said in a statement to The Wrap. “Today, with the filing of our motion to strike, we took our first step toward challenging the baseless complaint filed by former Matlock writer John Lowe. As stated in the motion and following a thorough investigation, we are confident that Lowe’s accusations are demonstrably inaccurate and maliciously fabricated, and will not allow them to go unchallenged. False allegations are deeply damaging, both to those wrongly accused and to anyone with a serious and legitimate claim of discrimination. We stand firmly behind our producers and look forward to the truth coming to light.”
John Lowe was asked not to return to the Matlock writer’s room in 2025, which he claims came after he reported showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman to CBS brass for referring to Juneteenth as “C–nteenth.” (CBS says it was “unable to find support” for Lowe’s claims.) Another incident listed in the suit involves the producers’ alleged use of “stereotyped comments,” including a remark that Lowe was “well-endowed down there” (Lowe says this was attributed to his race and shoe size), along with sexually and racially motivated behavior, such as executive producer Nicki Renna allegedly calling Lowe late at night to inform him she was in her underwear. There’s also an incident where Urman allegedly foisted her pet dog on Lowe for an entire year, saying her children no longer wanted it and that, “As long as you have this dog, you’ll always have a place here.” Executive producer Jeffrey Lieber is also listed in the suit.
“There is no excuse for this blatant racism and harassment,” said Ron Zambrano, Lowe’s attorney, in June. “CBS should be ashamed for allowing it, and the Matlock showrunner and producers should be held accountable.”
This suit comes after fired actor David Del Rio filed arbitration in March—who was escorted off the set in October 2025 following an allegation of sexual misconduct by co-star Leah Lewis.
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