Host Ellen DeGeneres will soon be back with the new season of her popular chat show and will not avoid to address the recent toxic workplace allegations.
Reportedly, after ousting three producers amid internal allegations of racial insensitivity and sexual misconduct, The Ellen DeGeneres Show has scheduled its Season 18 premiere for September 21
“I can’t wait to get back to work and back to our studio. And, yes, we’re going to talk about it,” DeGeneres said, while referring to the accusations.
The Ellen Show will be filmed with no audience, due to COVID restrictions. Executive producers Ed Glavin and Kevin Leman, along with co-executive producer Jonathan Norman was asked to leave last month following the allegations.
“I can’t wait to get back to work and back to our studio. And, yes, we’re going to talk about it,” Ellen said, while referring to the accusations.
Tiffany Haddish will be joining DeGeneres in studio and help kick off the new season.
The show’s first week will include guest appearances by Kerry Washington, Alec Baldwin, and Chrissy Teigen. The line-up through the month includes Chris Rock, Amy Schumer, Adam Sandler and Orlando Bloom.
According to sources, the show producers sent out a memo to staffers, sharing that they have roped in an outside consultant to interview current and former employees about their experience working on the popular talk show.
Last month, a report in BuzzFeed alleged racism and intimidation on the show. The piece was based on anonymous testimonials by a current and some former employees, who claimed to have faced racism, bullying and intimidation.
It also mentioned jokes about mistaking two Black female employees with the same hairstyle, as well as criticism of statements allegedly made to another staffer by executive producer Ed Glavin. Glavin and fellow executive producers Andy Lassner and Mary Connelly released a statement following the report.
Also Read – Kris Jenner Becomes Ellen Degeneres’ Most Powerful Support
“We are truly heartbroken and sorry to learn that even one person in our production family has had a negative experience. It’s not who we are and not who we strive to be, and not the mission Ellen has set for us. For the record, the day to day responsibility of the Ellen show is completely on us. We take all of this very seriously and we realize, as many in the world are learning, that we need to do better, are committed to do better, and we will do better.”
Soon, DeGeneres addressed the issue, insisting that steps will be taken to correct it.
“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,” DeGeneres wrote in a social media post.
“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,” she added.
Ellen DeGeneres fell into the lap of controversy after the allegations of a toxic work environment on her Show. Many of her A-Listers celebrity friends have extended their support.
Reportedly, Ellen was recently asked about her show, following the firing of three senior producers. She said she would interact with fans to address the subject.