Ellen DeGeneres Reflects on Allegations of Toxic Workplace in Exclusive Interview

Ellen DeGeneres recently sat down with Savannah Guthrie from NBC's Today show to discuss the end of her long-running talk show and address the backlash surrounding allegations of a toxic work environment.

Filmed on the set of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the comedian expressed her confusion and disbelief regarding the accusations.

DeGeneres admitted that she still doesn't fully comprehend the situation, describing it as being “too orchestrated” and “too coordinated.”

She found it difficult to understand how she could be targeted consistently for four months straight when the guests on her show always spoke highly of the positive atmosphere and happy environment.

Last year, stories emerged in the press and on social media questioning DeGeneres' upbeat demeanor.

One allegation claimed that she required employees to chew gum before speaking with her due to her sensitive nose, which she found amusing.

However, the accusations continued to surface.

BuzzFeed News later published an article featuring allegations from former employees, highlighting a toxic work environment on the show.

This was followed by another article mentioning “harassment, s**ual misconduct, and assault from top producers.”

In response, Warner Bros. Television conducted an internal investigation, leading to the departure of three producers.

DeGeneres privately apologized to her staff and publicly addressed the issue on her show.

During the interview with Guthrie, DeGeneres emphasized that if the workplace allegations were the reason behind her decision to quit, she would not have returned for the current season.

The accusations had a devastating impact on her, and as a kind-hearted person who enjoys making others happy, it was hard for her to comprehend.

DeGeneres also stated that she genuinely had no knowledge of any problematic work environment, asserting that she never witnessed anything that would indicate such issues.

With 225 employees and various buildings, it would have been challenging for her to be aware of every detail unless she stayed until the last person left each night.

She expressed a wish that someone had brought any concerns to her attention.

According to The New York Times, viewership of The Ellen DeGeneres Show declined by 1.1 million following the reports.

However, DeGeneres clarified that this did not influence her decision to end the show.

Despite the success of the program, she felt it was time to move on, emphasizing that ratings were not the determining factor but rather her personal fulfillment and enjoyment.

The Ellen DeGeneres Show will officially conclude in the spring of 2022, marking the end of an era for the comedian and talk show host.