'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' Returns With Ellen Discussing 'Toxic Work Environment' Allegations

Sep 22, 2020 by apost team

This summer, Ellen Degeneres' daytime TV show The Ellen Degeneres Show was plagued by allegations of mistreatment and intimidation in the workplace. The allegations were serious and resulted in the ousting of three executive producers of the show. Now, in the first episode of the show's 18th season, Ellen has finally spoken about what happened.

The clip of the show's intro was posted to the official Ellen Show YouTube channel and sees the comedian and host breaking the ice with a few jokes. Proving the recent issues surrounding her show haven't made Ellen lose her sense of humor, she opens with:

"If you're watching because you love me, thank you. If you're watching because you don't love me, welcome."

It soon becomes evident that while the show's DJ tWitch is in the studio with her, the audience is not, instead appearing digitally via screens placed where the audience would normally sit. 

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Ellen then directly addresses the controversy that has plagued her and her show all summer. Amid complaints in the workplace that allege racism, fear, and intimidation of staff took place, three executive producers were ousted. Additionally, Ellen was accused of faking her friendly and lovely onscreen persona, with allegations that the warm image she projected on screen didn't carry over to the workplace environment for her staff.

Ellen said about the allegations:

"As you may have heard this summer there were allegations of a toxic work environment at our show, and then there was an investigation. I learned that things happened here that never should have happened. I take that very seriously and I want to say that I am so sorry to the people affected."

She continues:

"I know that I'm in a position of privilege and power, and I realize that with that comes responsibility, and I take responsibility for what happens at my show...We have had a lot of conversations over the last few weeks about the show, our workplace, and what we want for the future. We have made the necessary changes, and today, we are starting a new chapter."

Ellen then touches on the allegations that she isn't who she portrays herself to be on TV. She says that she became known as the "be kind lady" after suggesting we should all be kinder to one another after a young man named Tyler Clementi took his own life after being bullied for being gay. She still believes we should all be kinder to one another, but explains how "being known as the 'be kind lady' is a tricky position to be in." She explains further:

"The truth is I am that person you see on TV. I am also a lot of other things. Sometimes I get sad, I get mad, I get anxious, I get frustrated, I get impatient. And I am working on all of that, and I'm especially working on the impatience thing. And it's not going well, because it's not happening fast enough, I'll tell you that."

She ends the segment with positive news that tWitch is no longer her on-air DJ, but he is now her co-executive producer. Considering his contributions to the show and his popularity, it seems like a fair promotion for the new chapter of The Ellen Degeneres Show.

Are you a fan of The Ellen Degeneres Show? What did you think of Ellen addressing the allegations head-on? Tell us in the comments and be sure to pass this news on to any friends and family who also watch her show.