Ellen DeGeneres has revealed her next attempts to gain control of damage as her TV show continues to face an onslaught of criticism.
The 62-year-old talk show host was spotted leaving a restaurant in the city of Southern California with a female friend at noon claiming she had allowed a ‘toxic’ workplace to fall on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
When asked what her show would look like after the fires of three top producers, the cabaret performer simply said, ‘I’ll talk to my fans’ before leaving.
Speaking: Ellen DeGeneres, 62, said she would talk to her fans after she left a lunch in Santa Barbara on Saturday, amid accusations that she was providing a ‘toxic’ workplace
Ellen kept her lunch look casual with a white button-down shirt and a set of baggy oil paint pants.
The stand-up star paired them with brilliant white trainers, and they blocked the sun out with a set of aviator sunglasses.
Ellen’s friend was dressed in the same way in a white shirt, even though she was wearing simple khaki and brown pants.
Both women wore cloth masks over their faces to help slow the spread of the new coronavirus amid a riot in California, though Ellen removed her once when she was at her car and more than six feet away from others.
No kidding: Ellen keeps her lunch look casual with a white button-down shirt and a set of baggy olive cargo pants
Stay Away: The stand-up star grabbed them with brilliant white trainers, and they blocked the sun out with a set of aviator sunglasses. Ellen brought a mask and wore it while she was with her friend, although she removed it once when she was through her car and at least six feet away from others
On Monday, Warner Bros. announced. Television reported that three senior producers had been fired from Ellen’s show: Ed Glavin, one of the executive producers, Jonathan Norman, a co-executive producer, and Kevin Leman, the show’s lead writer.
They were fired after a survey instituted by descriptions of a ‘toxic work culture’ in a BuzzFeed News survey.
Employees described working in a culture full of ‘racism, fear and intimidation.’
Much of the staff’s ire was focused on Glavin, along with producers Mary Connelly and Andy Lassner, but Connelly and Lassner both retained their jobs and will continue to work in the same roles.
Casual: Ellen’s friend was dressed in the same way in a white shirt, although she wore simple khakis and brown loafers
On Monday, Warner Bros. announced. Television reported that three senior producers had been fired from Ellen’s show: Ed Glavin, one of the executive producers, Jonathan Norman, a co-executive producer, and Kevin Leman, the show’s lead writer. Employees described working in a culture full of ‘racism, fear and intimidation’
Leman was accused by several employees of sexual harassment, although he denied wrongdoing.
Ellen directed her staff on Monday via video chat to announce the fires, while also revealing that DJs from the show Steven Laurel Boss had been promoted to executive producer.
The cabaret artist offered a second apology to her staff on the same video call, following an earlier apology in July in which she presented the allegations of abuse as something she was unaware of.
Ellen is under contract to continue hosting the Ellen DeGeneres Show for Warner Bros. Television through 2022, and she recently signed a new deal to develop three shows for WarnerMedia’s new streaming platform HBO Max.
Rally the troops: Ellen directed her staff via video chat on Monday to announce the fire of the top staff. She offered her second apology, after one in July
Although many of the abusers were accused of coming from their top staff, the focus in recent days has shifted to Ellen’s own behavior.
On Friday, Modern Family star Sofia Vergara responded to a clip of Ellen shaking pleasure at her accent again.
The Colombian-born actress claimed they were just “two comedians who enjoy each other’s company.”
“I was never a victim boys,” Sofia continued. ‘I was always joking. ‘
Comedian Kevin Hart also came to the defense of his friend Ellen, claiming that she and her staff were always kind to him and his own staff, although she was never accused of abusing people they considered equal.
Clear the air: Sofia spoke out after a clip of Ellen with pleasure on her accent went viral. They claimed it was just a joke and that she sat on it the whole time
In the clip: Ellen is seen mastering Sofia’s English speaking skills on multiple occasions, which gave fans a break when the host took control of how she treated others
Strong bond: Kevin Hart gave his defense to his friendship with Ellen. ‘Well, I do not lose sight of the definition of friendship, and in our business it is one thing that people do not really adhere to,’ he said; pictured in 2017 with (LR) Eniko Hart, Ellen and Portia de Rossi
On Thursday, Variety reported that Ellen’s latest strategy for shear regulation was to reap new benefits for its employees.
Employees now get five paid days off for use as they wish, although it was not clear if this was above the holiday season, or if employees receive a total of five paid days per year.
Employees will also be paid for their birthdays, and there is a freer paid leave policy for medical appointments and family matters.
The news was provided by Connelly and Lassner, the subjects of many of the allegations about toxic workplaces.
It works: Sources with knowledge of the situation told Variety that new measures already have the desired effect of boosting morale within staff, after Ellen video interviewed staff to announce that they were getting five paid days off , paid off birthdays and paid time for medical appointments and family matters; shown in November 2019
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