Fox Anchor Caught Calling Boss ‘B-ch’ In Video At Center Of Firing Lawsuit

A newly surfaced newsroom video could become important evidence in former Fox 2 Detroit anchor Taryn Asher’s lawsuit over her dismissal.

The recording captures Asher calling her boss a “b*tch,” using additional profanity and arguing with colleagues while preparing to record a public service announcement.

Asher, a longtime anchor at WJBK-TV, was removed from the air in November. She is now suing Fox Television Stations and New World Communications of Detroit, alleging sex discrimination and retaliation under federal and Michigan civil rights laws.

Fox denies those allegations and says Asher was dismissed after repeated complaints about “unprofessional workplace behavior” and “outbursts.”

Video Captures Tense Newsroom Exchange

The video, highlighted by FTVLive and Deadline Detroit, begins with Asher discussing scripts and the newsroom’s production process.

“I am. I’m in Amy’s script, the Amy’s Angels one,” Asher says.

“There was, the second thing didn’t make sense, so I was just trying to fix that part and…” she continues.

“I know, but I didn’t have time because we have to do this, so I was still reading it,” Asher says.

She then expresses frustration about waiting for scripts to be reviewed while simultaneously preparing to appear on camera.

“See, I mean, I can’t wait for you to go through them all and then I go through them, because then I’m already getting ready by then,” Asher says.

“But this time we had to do the PSAs, so…” she adds.

The exchange quickly becomes more confrontational.

“I don’t think you are,” Asher says.

“You’re walking out really angry,” she continues.

“B*tch,” Asher adds.

“Can I please finish what I’m going to say?” she asks.

“What the f–k,” Asher says.

“Grow up,” she adds.

The footage does not independently resolve the broader legal dispute, but it could support Fox’s claim that its decision was based on workplace conduct rather than Asher’s sex or complaints about unequal treatment.

Fox Says Employees Filed Multiple Complaints

In an Aug. 14 court filing, Fox said several employees complained about Asher’s behavior during the week before management placed her on paid leave on Nov. 5.

The company alleges that Asher shouted at employees over guest interview assignments, repeatedly directed profanity at coworkers and engaged in “confrontational and disrespectful interactions.”

Fox also claims that Asher confronted an employee she suspected had complained about her to management.

Those allegations have not been established by a final court ruling, and Asher is contesting the company’s explanation for her dismissal.

Dispute Involved Male Co-Anchor

Another confrontation allegedly occurred on Oct. 30 after Asher believed her male co-anchor, Roop Raj, had been given an interview she had arranged.

Fox maintains that the interview was actually assigned to Asher. The company nevertheless alleges that she raised her voice and, at times, shouted at two colleagues while attempting to resolve the confusion.

Tensions reportedly surfaced again during election coverage on Nov. 4, when producers initially assigned Raj guest interviews during both the 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. broadcasts.

According to Fox’s filing, Asher confronted Raj and told him words to the effect of, “You don’t own politics.”

The station placed her on paid leave the following day while management investigated the complaints.

Co-Anchor Reportedly Spoke With Human Resources

Fox says Raj later spoke with human resources and described Asher as “jealous” of him.

According to the company’s filing, Raj also believed Asher had developed an issue involving “men versus women.”

Management informed Asher on Nov. 21 that she would not be returning to the station.

Fox attributed the decision to her “repeated outbursts in the newsroom and multiple instances of unprofessional conduct with her colleagues.”

Asher, however, contends that the station treated her differently because she is a woman and retaliated against her after she raised concerns about unequal treatment.

Video Could Become Key Evidence

Employment discrimination cases often turn on the employer’s stated reason for taking disciplinary action.

Asher will likely attempt to show that Fox’s explanation was a pretext and that male employees were treated more favorably for comparable conduct. Fox, meanwhile, can point to employee complaints, internal records and the newly publicized video as evidence supporting its stated justification.

A court will ultimately determine whether Asher’s conduct legitimately motivated her dismissal or whether discrimination and retaliation played a role.

The footage alone may not answer every legal question. Still, a video showing an anchor calling her supervisor a vulgar name and directing profanity toward coworkers could make it considerably more difficult to portray the firing as entirely unrelated to her behavior.