Ellen addresses toxic work allegations in first show after scandal
Ellen DeGeneres has finally addressed the toxic work allegations that plagued her for months during the show's season 18 premiere.
The 62-year-old's monologue was posted to social media before the show even aired and was titled: "Today we're starting a new chapter".
The almost five minute long video sees Ellen speak about the rumours, with a few jokes thrown in for good measure.
It's one of the rare moments we've seen Ellen in public since the rumours began earlier this year.
She started: "How was everybody’s summer? Good? Yeah? Mine was great," holding two thumbs up sarcastically. "Super terrific."
RELATED
The host then acknowledged the fact people have been waiting for this moment for months. "If you’re watching because you love me, thank you. If you’re watching because you don’t love me, welcome."
"There are a lot of things I want to talk about, I’ve been looking forward to addressing it all directly. And unfortunately, talking directly to people has been illegal for six months so I have a virtual audience here instead," she joked.
"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’ve happened."
She continued: "I take that very seriously, and I want to say I’m so sorry to the people who were affected."
Ellen referenced the investigation by Warner Bros and seemingly referenced the firing of producers Ed Glavin, Kevin Leman and Jonathan Norman saying the cast and crew had "a lot of conversations over the last few weeks about the show, our workplace and what we want for the future".
She continued, saying they have "made the necessary changes" but didn't explain exactly what those changes were other than the fact they "are starting a new chapter".
The host said being known as the ‘Be Kind’ lady is "a tricky position to be in" following the allegations of current and former employees.
Ellen said that while she "is the 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. I am a work in progress.
"And I am especially working on the impatience thing because … and it’s not going well because it’s not happening fast enough," she joked.
She continued: "I am in a position of privilege and power and I realise that with that comes responsibility."
"I take that responsibility for what happens at my show. This is The Ellen DeGeneres Show. I am Ellen DeGeneres."
Fans unimpressed
Some fans believed Ellen's apology was genuine with one Instagram fan writing: "Honestly... the most well delivered, well-worded, seemingly genuinely explanation, ownership and apology I’ve seen in a LONG TIME."
Demi Lovato also commented on the post, saying: "You are the person people see on tv. You are kind, generous and caring. This video was a perfect representation of that. I love you Ellen."
Another said: "Yesss welcome back Ellen! The world needs more of you right now. Solid start."
However, not everyone was impressed with one Twitter user writing: "The million dollar opener, written and directed by public relations crisis consultants."
Another referenced Ellen's interview with Sofia Vergara where she made fun of her accent. "Ya know. talking about racial injustice while making fun of non English guests' accents on your show doesn't really work."
One user wrote: "Ellen DeGeneres giving a piss poor apology in front of a crowd of tv screens with hand picked devoted fans on them to inflate her ego is some Black Mirror level shit I could’ve done without today."
“I’ve hurt myself”
Ellen joked during the monologue that while she thought she was a "pretty good actress" after playing "straight women in movies" she doesn't think she's good enough to "come out here every day for 17 years and fool you".
"This is me. And my intention is to always be the best person I can be. And if I’ve ever let someone down, if I’ve ever hurt their feelings, I am so sorry for that.
"If that’s ever the case, I’ve let myself down and I’ve hurt myself as well."
She added that the reason she got into this business was to make people "laugh and feel good" and over the last 17 years she's now the boss of 270 people, all of whom she's "so grateful for".
"All I want is for every single one of them to be happy and to be proud to work here."
Ellen acknowledged that it had been a horrible summer for people across the world due to the pandemic as well as the wildfires in the US and the "racial injustice all around us".
"I watch the news and I feel like, where do we even begin? So my hope is that we can still be a place of happiness and joy. I still want to be the one hour a day that people can go to escape and laugh."
She finished by saying she was committed to making this season of her show the best they've ever had.
It seems like Ellen has a lot more work to do.
Click here to sign up to our daily newsletter to get all the latest news and hacks. Or if you have a story tip, email us at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com.
