Three women who once worked on ABC’s America’s Funniest Home Videos are speaking out about what they say was a toxic workplace.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Columbia, Tunisha and Jessica filed a civil suit against Vin Di Bona Productions, the show’s production company, and its digital arm, FishBowl Worldwide Media. The complaint alleges racial and sexual harassment and discrimination.
Columbia says that while she was in a supervisor’s office testing a headset, she became afraid he was trying to take a photo of her with his phone. She says she told Jessica, who raised the concern with the company. Jessica says two company executives, Lisa and Paul, later told her the supervisor, Philip, had already been cleared after an investigation, and warned her she could be held legally responsible if she said something untrue. Columbia and Jessica both say they eventually left the company.
Tunisha says a supervisor made a demeaning remark about her in front of colleagues, including Lisa, who she says laughed and did not step in. The company says she was laid off. Tunisha disputes that, saying no one else was let go and the company was hiring at the time.
Vin Di Bona Productions responded through a statement saying the safety of its employees is “always our highest priority” and that it has an obligation to act quickly and respectfully when accusations are made. The coverage we reviewed did not include direct responses from Philip, Lisa or Paul. These are allegations from a pending lawsuit, and none of them have been proven in court.
America’s Funniest Home Videos debuted in 1989 and is currently in its 31st season.
Made to order and shipped to your door.
