Ellen DeGeneres has confronted the contentious end of her namesake daytime talk show and her subsequent exit from the entertainment industry.
In 2020, the 66-year-old television host found herself embroiled in controversy amid allegations of a “toxic work environment” behind the scenes of her show, which premiered on September 8, 2003.
Variety reported claims from some employees citing instances of racism, sexual misconduct, and intimidation by executive producers. Additionally, concerns arose regarding the fear of reprisal for taking medical leave and voicing complaints.
DeGeneres addressed the mounting allegations publicly during the season 18 premiere in September 2020. She apologized to her colleagues for incidents she acknowledged “never should have happened,” asserting, “I’m in a position of privilege and power and… I take responsibility for what happens at my show.” However, the program failed to recover from the scandal, leading to its conclusion after a 19-year run in May 2022.
Returning to the spotlight on the first night of her comedy show, “Last Stand… Up Tour,” set to air on Netflix, DeGeneres reflected on becoming “the most hated person in America.” She remarked, “I got kicked out of show business. There’s no mean people in show business,” as reported by The Guardian.
Addressing the impact of the scandal on her television legacy, DeGeneres lamented, “The hate went on for a long time and I would try to avoid looking at the news…the ‘be kind’ girl wasn’t kind.” She candidly expressed, “I became this one-dimensional character who gave stuff away and danced up steps… Had I ended my show by saying ‘Go f**k yourself,’ people would’ve been pleasantly surprised.”
Referencing the cancellation of her ’90s sitcom after coming out as gay, she quipped about being “canceled” twice. “For those of you keeping score, this is the second time I’ve been kicked out of show business… Eventually they’re going to kick me out for a third time because I’m mean, old, and gay,” she joked.
Despite the humorous tone, DeGeneres revealed the personal toll of the ordeal, admitting she “had a hard time” and “didn’t get out” amid the scandal. She recounted feeling like “persona non grata” for the second time in her career, paralleling her experience after publicly coming out as gay in 1997.
Expressing her discontent with the show’s conclusion, she shared, “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.”
In a final note to the audience, DeGeneres expressed her happiness in returning to provide “joy” during “a scary time” in the world. “I think that we need more laughter and less drama,” she concluded.
