As promised earlier this month, Ellen DeGeneres marked the return of The Ellen DeGeneres Show by addressing the poisonous office allegations she and her eponymous speak present confronted over the summer season.
Within the first monologue of Season 18, DeGeneres stood earlier than her digital viewers and wasted no time diving into the reviews that resulted in an investigation carried out by WarnerMedia and the firing of three govt producers, together with allegations made towards her particularly that went towards her on-camera persona.
DeGeneres, who had beforehand addressed the identical allegations in a letter sent to her staff in July, mentioned on Monday, “I discovered that issues occurred right here that by no means ought to have occurred. I take that very critically, and I need to say I’m so sorry to the individuals who had been affected. I do know that I’m able of privilege and energy, and I notice that with that comes duty, and I take duty for what occurs at my present.” She continued, “We’ve got made the required adjustments, and in the present day we’re beginning a brand new chapter.”
The Ellen DeGeneres Present and the titular host got here below hearth after several staffers came forward with claims of workplace toxicity, together with discriminatory and dangerous practices, akin to being “handled unfairly,” being penalized for taking private time, and being instructed to not make direct eye contact with DeGeneres when crossing paths together with her.
Ellen DeGeneres Addresses Toxic Workplace Allegations in Letter to Staff
DeGeneres, whose on-screen persona is “the ‘be type’ woman,” in her phrases, went on to clarify that she began saying “be type” after the 2010 suicide of Tyler Clementi because of anti-gay bullying.
“I assumed the world wanted extra kindness,” she mentioned. “And I believe we’d like it greater than ever proper now.” DeGeneres clarified, “The reality is, I’m that particular person that you simply see on TV. I’m additionally lots of different issues. Typically I get unhappy. I get mad. I get anxious. I get pissed off. I get impatient. And I’m engaged on all of that.” Holding the temper gentle, she joked, “I’m particularly engaged on the impatience factor, and it isn’t going nicely as a result of it isn’t occurring quick sufficient.”
She ended her monologue with one final apology. “If I’ve ever let somebody down, if I’ve ever damage their emotions, I’m so sorry for that,” she mentioned. “If that is ever the case, I’ve let myself down and I’ve damage myself as nicely, as a result of I at all times attempt to develop as an individual.” She then spoke on to her 270 employees members, saying, “All I would like is for each single one among them to be joyful and to be proud to work right here.”
DeGeneres additionally commented on the uncertainty of the world and mentioned she hopes her present can nonetheless be “the one hour a day that individuals can go to flee and chortle.” She concluded, earlier than diving into the remainder of the episode, “I need to proceed to assist all of the folks that we assist day-after-day, and I’m dedicated to creating this one of the best season that we now have ever had.”
Ellen DeGeneres, The Ellen DeGeneres Present