DeGeneres, 66, an Emmy award-winning TV host, began her career performing in stand-up comedy bars.
Premiering in 2003, The Ellen DeGeneres Show blended comedy, celebrity interviews, musical guests, and human interest stories.
The daytime show was a massive hit for the star, running for 19 seasons and attracting millions of viewers per episode.
However, in 2020, everything changed.
DeGeneres built her career on kindness, famously ending every episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show with the phrase, “Be kind to one another.”
However, behind the scenes, rumors began to circulate that the comedian was not as kind as her daytime show persona suggested.
Former employees started to share their experiences working on the show, and even celebrities joined the conversation - some agreeing with the former staffers and others defending DeGeneres.
In 2020, two BuzzFeed exposés finally brought to light allegations of a toxic work culture, discrimination, and sexual misconduct and harassment.
The reports did not accuse DeGeneres herself of toxic behavior. However, every aspect of the show operates under the comedian’s name and her particular brand of kindness.
Following the allegations, Variety reported that three senior producers had been removed from the Warner Bros. distributed syndicated show.
DeGeneres apologized to viewers on air, stating (as reported by The Guardian): “I learned that things happened here that should never have happened.”
“I know that I’m in a position of privilege and power, and I realize that with that comes responsibility, and I take responsibility for what happens at my show.”
During a 2021 interview with Today, DeGeneres told host Savannah Guthrie that she felt the press coverage was ‘orchestrated’ and ‘misogynistic.’
She added: “All I’ve ever heard from every guest that comes on the show is what a happy atmosphere this is and what a happy place this is.”
In 2022, DeGeneres concluded her talk show after nearly 20 years.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, DeGeneres expressed her need to be ‘challenged’ with something new.
The comedian has kept a low profile in recent years, but she has recently made a comeback.
She is currently on Ellen’s Last Stand-Up Tour and is scheduled to release a comedy special on Netflix.
DeGeneres disclosed that her controversies would be addressed in the special, stating (according to Tudum): “To answer the questions everyone is asking me – Yes, I’m going to talk about it.”
During her tour, DeGeneres joked (via Rolling Stone): “Honestly, I’m making jokes about what happened to me but it was devastating, really.”
“I just hated the way the show ended. I love that show so much and I just hated that the last time people would see me is that way.”
During a Q&A session after one of her stand-up shows, DeGeneres was asked if she would appear in any new films or do theatre work, to which she replied: “Um, no. This is the last time you’re going to see me.”
“After my Netflix special, I’m done.”
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