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It was the first time the staple of American television during the day publicly addressed the controversy surrounding it.
FILE: Ellen DeGeneres. Image: @ theellenshow / Instagram.
NEW YORK – Ellen DeGeneres kicked off season 18 of her controversial talk show Monday with a sweeping apology that addressed allegations of a toxic workplace culture under her supervision.
It was the first time that the staple of American television during the day publicly addressed the controversy surrounding it, after BuzzFeed News published a report over the summer that detailed a culture of fear among its employees that included allegations of sexual misconduct. , racism and intimidation by program management.
The scathing reports followed rumors and anecdotal posts on social media that DeGeneres was difficult to work with and not as enjoyable as her feel-good show portrayed her.
“I want to say that I feel very sorry for the people who were affected. I know that I am in a position of privilege and power and I realized that that comes with responsibility, and I take responsibility for what happens in my show,” he added. DeGeneres said in her opening monologue, posted online ahead of its broadcast later Monday.
DeGeneres said his show was entering a “new chapter” after “necessary changes” following an internal investigation by parent company Warner Media, although he did not elaborate on the restructuring.
Today we begin a new chapter. pic.twitter.com/PvpZXnXLv5
– Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) September 21, 2020
In August, three high-profile producers were laid off: executive producer Ed Glavin, co-executive producer Jonathan Norman, and lead writer Kevin Leman.
The longtime comedian, actress and presenter also joked that she was in a difficult position given her reputation as the “be nice” lady, a nickname she said she earned after she asked for kindness after the 2010 suicide of a young man who was harassed for being gay.
“Being known as the ‘be nice’ lady is a tough position to be in,” DeGeneres said. “So let me give you some advice if someone is thinking of changing their title or giving you a nickname, don’t go to the ‘be nice’ lady. Don’t.”
“The truth is that I am that person you see on television,” he continued, denying the accusations that offstage his personality was a far cry from the cheerful personality he created on stage.
‘A PLATITUDE’
DeGeneres, 62, caused a sensation in 1997 after becoming one of the first television stars to publicly declare that he was gay, which he did while starring in the sitcom “Ellen.”
Last year, before the scandal surrounding her self-titled show, she renewed her hosting contract until 2022, and also signed a deal to create three shows for the HBO Max streaming platform.
DeGeneres had returned to his California studio for Monday’s premiere, with a virtual audience in rows of screens due to the coronavirus pandemic.
DeGeneres circulated her monologue online, though many social media users scoffed at her – the line “I’m a work in progress” was particularly skewered – saying her words sounded hollow.
“It’s hard not to feel like an opportunity was missed here,” wrote Daniel D’Addario, senior television critic for entertainment outlet Variety.
“DeGeneres’s attempt to clear things up was painfully unsuccessful in part because of his unwillingness to engage with his critics in something more meaningful than triviality,” he said.
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