• 22
  • July
    2010

A former assistant prop master for the hit Fox television series "House" recently filed a lawsuit against Universal Network Television, citing harassment and discrimination in the workplace, culminating in his release from the show's crew. Carl Jones was fired in March, according to the lawsuit, because he did not participate in the many acts of "degenerate conduct" that took place on the set and with other members of the crew.

These degenerate acts are alleged to have included drug use, sexual acts and trips to strip clubs. For his refusal to participate in these activities, Jones was harassed by his supervisors. Two supervisors in particular harassed Jones and other employees, calling them "slaves," "dummies," "idiots" and other more derogatory names.

He also claims that one supervisor brought a gun to work on several occasions and that both practiced knife-throwing on the set, while intoxicated. It sounds crazy, but Universal has yet to respond to the claims and are likely doing some frantic fact-checking on their end.

In the lawsuit, Jones also claims that he attempted to report his supervisors to a co-executive producer of the show, but was ignored. In the end, he was fired and "blackballed," essentially barring him from future work on the show.

Jones also cites gender discrimination in the harassment lawsuit, though wrongful termination is, maybe surprisingly, left off. However, if Jones' story is true, then it seems as if that too might be a valid complaint. As noted, Universal has yet to comment on the lawsuit or repudiate any of the claims presented in it. Still, a response is expected soon.

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