Ellen DeGeneres is looking back on the conclusion of her talk show.
The comedian kicked off her “Ellen’s Last Stand…Up Tour” this week, marking her first major endeavor since wrapping up “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” in 2022. “Oh yeah, I got kicked out of show business,” Ellen told her fans at the Coronet Theater in West Hollywood. Ellen’s daytime show lasted for 19 seasons. In 2020 she issued an apology after staff members alleged that she ran a toxic work environment. “I became this one-dimensional character who gave stuff away and danced up steps,” DeGeneres joked in her set Wednesday. “Do you know how hard it is to dance up steps? Would a mean person dance up steps? Had I ended my show by saying, ‘Go f**k yourself,’ people would’ve been pleasantly surprised.”
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During the show, Ellen also referenced how her sitcom “Ellen” got canceled in 1998 shortly after she came out as gay. “For those of you keeping score, this is the second time I’ve been kicked out of show business,” she said. “Eventually they’re going to kick me out for a third time because I’m mean, old, and gay.”
Several former employees spoke out about their experiences working on the show, claiming that they were subjected to a toxic work environment filled with racism, intimidation, and sexual harassment. These allegations caused a major scandal and tarnished the reputation of the show and its host.
One former employee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, described a workplace where bullying and intimidation were rampant. They claimed that senior staff members would often belittle and demean lower-level employees, creating a hostile and toxic work environment. In addition, they alleged that racism was a common occurrence behind the scenes, with employees of color being treated unfairly and discriminated against.
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Another former employee claimed that sexual harassment was a pervasive issue on the show, with senior staff members making inappropriate comments and engaging in inappropriate behavior towards lower-level employees. They also claimed that complaints about this behavior were often ignored or dismissed by HR, creating a culture of silence and fear.
In response to the allegations, Ellen issued a statement apologizing for any pain or discomfort that her employees may have experienced. She also announced that an internal investigation would be conducted to address the issues raised by former employees.
