CBS is asking a Los Angeles Superior Court judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by former “Matlock” writer John Lowe, who alleges racial and sexual harassment connected to the series. In a filing dated ahead of the 2026–2027 TV season, CBS characterizes the claims as “fabrications and outright lies,” and seeks to strike the case at an early stage.
According to Variety, CBS Studios also invokes California’s anti-SLAPP statute, arguing the lawsuit targets protected activity and should be dismissed. CBS’s motion includes declarations that dispute Lowe’s allegations against executive producers, including showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman. Deadline similarly reports that CBS is seeking dismissal on the merits, framing the account as unsupported.
The outlets largely agree on the procedural posture and the substance of CBS’s response: CBS is contesting Lowe’s harassment allegations and is seeking to end the litigation through a motion to dismiss. The differences are mainly in emphasis, with Variety highlighting the anti-SLAPP strategy and Deadline focusing on CBS’s characterization of the allegations as false.
