AceShowbiz - For many years, The Price Is Right stood as a beloved daytime game show, known for its cheerful contestants, vibrant set, and the iconic presence of its longtime host, Bob Barker. He famously ended each episode urging viewers to "help control the pet population." However, behind the scenes, former models and staff have painted a much darker picture of the working environment during Barker's 35-year tenure.

The latest episode of the E! docuseries Dirty Rotten Scandals revisits decades-old allegations of racism, discrimination, and retaliation tied to Barker and the show's production. This installment consolidates earlier claims—some previously surfaced in lawsuits and tabloid reports—into a more comprehensive account of the alleged toxic culture.

Kathleen Bradley, the first Black model to be hired full-time on the show, recounts a hostile atmosphere both on and off camera. She recalls that some fans sent her negative messages about her presence on the show, while she alleges that production meetings included the use of racial slurs when models were not present.

Joining the show a decade later, Claudia Jordan states in the documentary that such hostility persisted. She alleges that contestant selection was racially coded, with only a limited number of Black contestants allowed per taping — a practice she claims came as a direct order from Barker. Jordan also describes how producers pigeonholed her with racial stereotypes and that Black contestants sometimes faced visible discomfort from Barker when approaching him.

Other former models have made even more serious allegations. Holly Hallstrom, who worked on the show for nearly 20 years, claims she was retaliated against for refusing to support Barker in a sexual harassment case involving fellow model Dian Parkinson. Hallstrom describes Barker as "cruel and viciously vindictive," asserting that he aimed to "destroy" employees who did not comply with his wishes.

The docuseries also revisits prior accusations linking Barker to racially charged comments. Hallstrom recounts an incident in which Barker allegedly expressed fear of interracial relationships, purportedly stating he believed Black men were "the most diseased people on Earth." This statement is presented in the program as emblematic of a broader culture of racial bias within the show's production environment.

Renewed public attention has been stirred by a viral clip from the show depicting Barker seemingly pulling away and stepping offstage as a Black contestant attempts to hug him. This moment quickly circulated online as evidence of racial bias. However, critics note that the clip alone does not provide clear context or intent. It has been noted that dodging physical embraces was a recurring joke on the show, including playful avoidance of Samoan women who often tried to pick him up onstage.

During his lifetime, Barker consistently denied any wrongdoing. Since his death in 2023 at age 99, his longtime representative has once again defended his legacy, portraying him as a beloved television personality and rejecting the allegations raised in the docuseries.

Outside of his television career, Barker was widely recognized for his passionate animal rights advocacy. His signature signoff encouraging spaying and neutering pets became a cultural hallmark. His activism helped bring attention to animal overpopulation issues, earning him honors from organizations such as PETA, which named buildings after him and lobbied to rename streets in Los Angeles in his honor.

The Price Is Right remains on air today with Drew Carey as host. The show continues to be produced by Fremantle and broadcasts on CBS, which has been its home since 1972. Fremantle has not yet issued a comment regarding the renewed allegations or the docuseries.

The ongoing discussions around the show's past highlight the complexities of its legacy, juxtaposing its status as a cherished American game show with serious accusations of discrimination and mistreatment behind the scenes.