In a recent standup routine, Ellen DeGeneres addressed the past toxic workplace claims made against her during her time hosting The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The former talk show host joked about being “kicked out of show business” for being “mean,” referring to the allegations of mistreatment by current and former staff members that surfaced in 2020. At the time, DeGeneres issued an apology and several producers exited the show. In her standup, DeGeneres acknowledged that she had not been able to stay on top of everything and had relied on others to do their jobs as she knew she would want them done. She expressed disappointment that this had not been the case and apologized for not ensuring that everyone was treated with respect. DeGeneres also noted that she had always intended for The Ellen DeGeneres Show to be a place of happiness and kindness, but that something had clearly changed. She referred to her famous talk show quote, “be kind to one another,” and joked that it had become a “problem” as viewers then thought of her as a “one-dimensional character who gave stuff away and danced up steps.” DeGeneres admitted that she “didn’t know how to be a boss” and “didn’t go to business school.” She acknowledged that she had not been in charge of the show in the way that she should have been. Despite the challenges she faced, DeGeneres expressed regret over how the situation unfolded and emphasized the importance of laughter and positivity in the world. She concluded that she “hated the way the show ended” and that she loved it very much. DeGeneres’ Last Stand … Up Tour will continue through July.
Ellen DeGeneres Reflects on Past Workplace Toxicity Claims in New Standup
