Renewed Racism Allegations Emerge Against ‘Price is Right’ Host Bob Barker
The E! docuseries Dirty Rotten Scandals has renewed public attention to long-standing accusations about The Price Is Right. The program compiles claims of racism, discrimination and retaliation from former models and staff. Renewed racism allegations have again placed Bob Barker’s legacy under scrutiny.
Allegations from former models
Kathleen Bradley, the show’s first full-time Black model, says she faced hostility on and off set. She recounts negative fan mail and alleged use of racial slurs in production meetings when models were absent.
Claudia Jordan, who joined later, alleges the pattern continued. She claims contestant selection was racially coded, with a capped number of Black contestants per taping and behind-the-scenes markings indicating those limits.
Claims of retaliation and racial remarks
Holly Hallstrom, a longtime model, accuses producers and management of retaliation. She says the pressure escalated after she refused to support Barker in a sexual harassment dispute involving Dian Parkinson.
Hallstrom further alleges Barker made racially charged comments about interracial relationships. The series cites a remark attributed to him that expressed extreme views about Black men.
Viral footage and public reaction
A clip circulating online appears to show Barker stepping away from a Black contestant approaching him. The footage has been widely shared as evidence of bias.
Commentators note that the clip lacks full context. The program also points out an on-air running joke in which Barker dodged being picked up by some women, including Samoan contestants.
Defense, death and animal advocacy
Barker denied wrongdoing while alive. His longtime representative has publicly defended him and rejected the accusations.
He died in 2023 at 99. Barker was also widely known for his animal rights work and his on-air plea to help control the pet population.
PETA honored him with named buildings and campaigned to rename Los Angeles streets in his memory.
Show status and responses
The Price Is Right continues under host Drew Carey. The series is produced by Fremantle and airs on CBS, which has carried the show since 1972.
Fremantle did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the new episode. Filmogaz.com will update coverage if further responses emerge.
