WHAT’S BEING CLAIMED:
- Ellen DeGeneres addressed the controversy surrounding her talk show for the first time in the season premiere.
- She mentioned that changes are being made and that the new season is the start of a “new chapter.”
- She said she wants her employees to be “happy” and “proud to work here.”
Season 18 of Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show premiered two weeks later than its original September 9 date. At the top of the program, DeGeneres addressed the controversy surrounding the show for the first time.
For months, troubling reports were made of intimidation, sexual misconduct, and racial insensitivity in the workplace of the DeGeneres program. The 62-year-old host was accused of fostering a toxic workplace, though she apologized twice to staffers. With an investigation into the reports ongoing, so far three senior staff were let go- Ed Glavin, Kevin Leman, and Jonathan Norman.
Addressing a virtual audience, DeGeneres said, “I learned that things happened here that never should have happened.” She apologized to the people who were affected and remarked, “I know that I’m in a position of privilege and power and I realize with that power comes responsibility and I take responsibility for what happens at my show.”
She said there have been a lot of conversations with her staff over the past few weeks. “We have made the necessary changes and today we are starting a new chapter.” DeGeneres said she wants her employees to be “happy” and “proud to work here”.
DeGeneres spoke of how being known as the “Be kind” lady is a “tricky position”. However, she insists that the person people see on TV is authentic, though she’s also flawed like everybody else. She said she always tries to grow and takes everything as an opportunity to learn.
She wants her show to be an hour of joy every day and is committed to making this “the best season we’ve ever had.”
Source: Yahoo! Entertainment
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