Earlier this week, WarnerMedia announced an internal investigation into The Ellen Degeneres Show after numerous accounts of workplace discrimination and mistreatment. On Thursday, DeGeneres addressed the claims directly.
What We Know:
- Claims of the workplace culture at The Ellen DeGeneres Show being rife with “racism, fear, and intimidation,” has been widely publicized in recent days. DeGeneres has been under fire herself for allowing the toxicity to continue, although direct blame went to top producers of the show. On Thursday, DeGeneres sent a letter to her entire crew addressing the alleged workplace misconduct.
- In the letter, DeGeneres takes full responsibility for the allegations, as the show bears her name. She apologizes to any and all employees who have been “treated unfairly, not equal, or worse, disregarded”. As for the toxic behavior from top producers, she blames it on her absence as a boss, writing that “people who work with me and for me are speaking on my behalf and misrepresenting who I am and that has to stop”.
- DeGeneres insists that steps will be taken to “correct the issues” going forward, saying she is committed to ensuring this doesn’t happen again. She adds that she plans on being more involved within show production as she had previously “relied on others to do their jobs” with the assumption that they knew what she wanted to be done, adding “clearly some didn’t”.
- Neither DeGeneres nor WarnerMedia has commented on the status of specific employees named in the claims. However, two sources told The Hollywood Reporter that top producer Ed Glavin, one of the show’s three producers, and the one at the center of many of the nastier claims, has been let go along with a few others in an attempt the overhaul the alleged toxic culture.
- In her letter, DeGeneres shared her own past struggles with feeling “othered” and discriminated against after she was run out of the industry and subject to multiple death threats after she came out as gay in the late 1990s. She said she “truly understands and has deep compassion” for those being looked at or treated differently.
- A spokesperson for WarnerMedia said that together, Warner Bros. and DeGeneres have taken the allegations very seriously and the investigation was conducted to determine the full validity and extent of the claims. “We are disappointed that the primary findings of the investigation indicated some deficiencies related to the show’s day-to-day management. We have identified several staffing changes, along with appropriate measures to address the issues.”
Below is DeGeneres’ full letter to her staff:
Hey everybody — it’s Ellen. On day one of our show, I told everyone in our first meeting that The Ellen DeGeneres Show would be a place of happiness — no one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect. Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case. And for that, I am sorry. Anyone who knows me knows it’s the opposite of what I believe and what I hoped for our show.
I could not have the success I’ve had without all of your contributions. My name is on the show and everything we do and I take responsibility for that. Alongside Warner Bros, we immediately began an internal investigation and we are taking steps, together, to correct the issues. As we’ve grown exponentially, I’ve not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I’d want them done. Clearly some didn’t. That will now change and I’m committed to ensuring this does not happen again.
I’m also learning that people who work with me and for me are speaking on my behalf and misrepresenting who I am and that has to stop. As someone who was judged and nearly lost everything for just being who I am, I truly understand and have deep compassion for those being looked at differently, or treated unfairly, not equal, or — worse — disregarded. To think that any one of you felt that way is awful to me.
It’s been way too long, but we’re finally having conversations about fairness and justice. We all have to be more mindful about the way our words and actions affect others, and I’m glad the issues at our show were brought to my attention. I promise to do my part in continuing to push myself and everyone around me to learn and grow. It’s important to me and to Warner Bros. that everyone who has something to say can speak up and feels safe doing so.
I am so proud of the work we do and the fun and joy we all help put out in the world. I want everyone at home to love our show and I want everyone who makes it to love working on it. Again, I’m so sorry to anyone who didn’t have that experience. If not for COVID, I’d have done this in person, and I can’t wait to be back on our stage and see you all then.
Stay safe and healthy.
Love,
Ellen
The Ellen DeGeneres Show is currently on summer hiatus. It is unclear what WarnerMedia plans to do with the show due to the coronavirus pandemic so there is not yet a return date.
