Although 2020 has been proven to be a bad year for almost everyone, it has been an especially difficult year for TV host Ellen DeGeneres.
Over the summer, various allegations against her and the show that bears her name were raised, which led to three producers being removed.
In the season premier of The Ellen Show, the host faced the camera in a mostly empty studio. Whereas the usual tapings of the show will be filled with the most vocal attendees, the global pandemic has made that impossible. The audiences tuned in via screen in a virtual taping.
In a highly anticipated address, DeGeneres apologized for all the allegations and said she personally feels responsible for everything that took place in the production of her show. From lack of communication to much more serious claims of racism, WarnerMedia has launched an internal investigation.
The usually jolly host seemed rather stiff and nervous as she explained that her show was starting a new chapter in its history. She was referring to both the global pandemic and the allegations. In her monologue, she claimed that she only learned of the toxicity after it became public.
She put herself down, saying that she understands that she is in a position of privilege and leadership, and how that means she should be held responsible for her show. She apologized to everyone who was hurt during their time working with her show.
DeGeneres also commented on a more personal aspect to all the allegations. From a former bodyguard to her colleagues, many have spoken about how Ellen is a far shot from the “Be Kind” lady persona she plays on TV, stemming from how she asks people be kind at the end of her show.
After explaining that she first started using the term after a college student took his own life because he was bullied for being a gay (DeGeneres herself is also a lesbian), DeGeneres said she is still “a work in progress”. She added that people should try to be kind now more than ever before.
After a tumultuous summer, three producers in the leadership position have been fired due to their conduct, with WarnerMedia warning that more changes are to follow.
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