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Ellen DeGeneres opened the new season of her popular television show on Monday by apologizing to staff after reports of a toxic work environment on her set and saying changes had been made to start “a new chapter.”
Three top producers of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” have left the show, producer Warner Bros. said in August after an internal investigation into allegations of harassment, racism and sexual misconduct against them.
“I learned that things happen here that should never have happened,” DeGeneres, 62, said in the opening monologue of the season 18 premiere of his show. “I take it very seriously and want to say that I am very sorry for the people affected.”
“We have made the necessary changes and today we are starting a new chapter,” he added.
Over the summer, weeks of backstage confusion undermined the show’s public message of spreading goodness and happiness.
Reports from a hostile workplace have included criticism that DeGeneres is petty. This sparked a social media campaign calling for his replacement and public statements of support for the comedian from the likes of Katy Perry, Kevin Hart, Alec Baldwin and Ashton Kutcher.
DeGeneres, who is gay, joked that she was a good actress because she has played straight women. “But I don’t think I’m good enough to be able to come here every day for 17 years and cheat on you,” she said of her reputation for kindness.
“I am that person you see on television,” he said. “I am also many other things. Sometimes I get sad, I get angry, I get anxious, I get frustrated, I get impatient. And I’m working on all of that. I am a work in progress. ”.. AFP
