Former Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune execs accuse Sony Pictures of race, gender and age discrimination
As a passionate fan of Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune for decades, I’ve witnessed these iconic shows bring joy, knowledge, and entertainment to millions. However, recent events have left me disheartened and disappointed. The accusations against Sony Pictures of racial, gender, and age discrimination, as well as retaliation, towards two former executives, Shelley Ballance Ellis and Monique Diaz, are deeply troubling.
It’s been alleged that Sony Pictures is involved in illegal practices such as racial, gender, and age bias, along with reprisals towards two ex-executives from the shows Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune.
Shelley Ballance Ellis, a Black female individual, and Monique Diaz, a Latina woman, have submitted grievances to both California’s Civil Rights Agency and the National Labor Relations Bureau.
Collectively, these women assert that their dismissal, along with other employees, by Sony’s administration was a reprisal for standing up against discriminatory practices and hostile work environment in the shows Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune.
The pair, who had spent close to 50 years combined working on the shows, were terminated in April.
Balance Ellis, aged 60, served as the Executive Director for Licensing and Clearance at Sony Pictures Entertainment, while Diaz, aged 48, too held a position within that same department.
They claim they were made redundant because they opposed racial discrimination in the workplace.
As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but echo the claims that pay disparities faced by Diaz, the systemic biases experienced by Ballance Ellis as an older Black woman, the broadcast of plantation footage on Wheel of Fortune, racist remarks and jokes within its control room about Black women contestants, and the disregard for workers’ concerns regarding racial bias in Jeopardy! game questions were all significant issues.
Balance Ellis stated, ‘Sitting in the most senior role for racial diversity on Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, I observed and personally experienced instances of racial prejudice and thoughtlessness.’
Diaz referred back to the controversy that erupted in 2017 over a Wheel of Fortune puzzle, which seemed to depict two African-American women laboring on a plantation.
She said: ‘It was clear that Sony knew there was discomfort with this.
My team and I found it awkward to discuss and agree on terms related to footage, locations, and photos with the representatives of the plantations.
Harry Friedman, the executive producer, stated that they are sorry for using that particular background image. From now on, they will change it in any future broadcasts where it appears again.
Additionally, Diaz alleged that the creators behind Wheel of Fortune were responsible for making discriminatory and sexist remarks regarding comedian Leslie Jones and other women of color concerning their hairstyles.
Comedian Jones had appeared on the celebrity version of the show in December 2020.
Both Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune are produced by Sony Pictures Television.
On its 41st season, Jeopardy!, hosted by Ken Jennings, is airing, with the game show Wheel of Fortune, led by Ryan Seacrest, in its 42nd season concurrently.
Sony Pictures has denied claims that Ballance Ellis and Diaz’s termination was retaliatory.
A Sony representative stated that they give great importance to any claims suggesting bias or unfair treatment, addressing them diligently.
The restructuring of our game show division earlier this year led to the removal of some positions due to overlapping responsibilities and changing demands of our nearly half-century-old business.
‘Those eliminations were business efficiency decisions and not retaliatory.
Over the last several years, both Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! have undergone substantial changes and internal realignments. This shift has been guided by a dynamic new management team, who are deeply committed to cultivating an environment that promotes diversity and respect.
As an ardent enthusiast, I’m deeply rooted in these core principles, and I can’t wait to usher in a fresh chapter for our game shows with unwavering determination and careful consideration.
California’s Civil Rights Department and the National Labor Relations Board is set to investigate.
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2024-10-25 19:25