Judge drops claims against Bob Barker

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A judge has dismissed a woman's wrongful termination claims against Bob Barker, former host of the CBS <CBS.N television game show "The Price is Right," attorneys for both said on Wednesday.

However, former CBS employee Deborah Curling's wrongful dismissal lawsuit will continue against the television network, attorneys for Barker and Curling said.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Malcolm Mackey also dismissed Curling's claims of retaliation and intentional infliction of emotional distress by Barker, 84, who hosted the show for the U.S. network for 35 years before retiring in 2007.

"We're very pleased because we don't think the claims should have been brought at all," said Patty Glaser, an attorney for Barker.

Nick Alden, an attorney for Curling, downplayed the judge's decision. "Bob Barker is not the main target on this lawsuit -- CBS is," Alden said.

CBS in the past has declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Mackey ruled that Barker was not Curling's employer, Glaser said.

The only remaining claim against Barker from the suit, which Curling filed in 2007, is an allegation that he created a hostile work environment, and that is expected to be dismissed as well, she said.

The suit said Curling testified in a case brought against the show by another ex-employee, Linda Riegert, and that as a result she was demoted, physically threatened and her job became intolerable.

Curling's lawsuit cites several cases in which other ex-employees accused Barker of harassing them sexually or otherwise. Many of those suits were settled or dismissed.

(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis: Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)