The Ellen DeGeneres Show premiered season 18 on Monday, September 21 and the host, Ellen DeGeneres, couldn’t help but talked about the allegations of the show having a “toxic” work environment.
The 62-year-old host opened up about having a horrible summer and taking responsibility for what’s going on at her show. She said, “If you’re watching because you love me, thank you. If you’re watching because you don’t love me, welcome! How was everybody’s summer? Good?”
Then she added sarcastically, “Mine was great. Super terrific!”
She continued, “I’m so happy to be back in the studio. There are a lot of things I want to talk about. I’ve been looking forward to addressing it all directly and, unfortunately, talking directly to people has been illegal for six months, so I have a virtual audience here instead.”
“As you may have heard, this summer there were allegations of a toxic work environment at our show, and then there was an investigation. I learned that things happened here that never should have happened. I take that very seriously and I want to say I am so sorry to the people who were affected. I know that I’m in a position of privilege and power, and I realize that with that comes responsibility and I take responsibility for what happens at my show. This is The Ellen DeGeneres Show, I am Ellen DeGeneres.”
DeGeneres explained that she talked to her staff these last few weeks about the show, their workplace, and what they want for the future. They agreed that necessary changes should be made and a new chapter of the show has begun.
DeGeneres also addressed the allegation saying she isn’t who she is on television. She explained, “I became known as the ‘be kind lady.’ Here’s how that happened. I started saying ‘be kind to one another’ after a young man, Tyler Clementi, took his own life after being bullied for being gay. I thought the world needed more kindness, and it was a reminder that we all needed that. I think we need it more than ever right now. Being known as the ‘be kind lady’ is a tricky position to be in. So let me give you some advice out there, if anybody’s thinking of changing their title or giving yourself a nickname, do not go with the ‘be kind lady.’ Don’t do it.”
She added, “The truth is, I am that person that you see on TV. I am also a lot of other things. Sometimes I get sad, I get mad, I get anxious, I get frustrated, I get impatient, and I am working on all of that. I am a work in progress. I am especially working on the impatience thing. It’s not going well because it’s not happening fast enough. I will tell you that.”
She continued, “I’ve played a straight woman in movies, so I’m a pretty good actress. But I don’t think I’m that good that I could come out here every day for 17 years and fool you.”
“This is me. And my intention is to always be the best person I can be,” she said. “And if I’ve ever let someone down, if I ever hurt their feelings, I am so sorry for that. If that’s ever the case I have let myself down and I have hurt myself as well, because I always try to grow as a person. I look at everything that comes into my life as an opportunity to learn.”
The host said she’s in this business so she could make people laugh and feel good. She added it’s her favorite thing to do in addition to Jenga which is a game she loves. At present, she is the boss of 270 people who make the show for what it is and she’s grateful for all of them. She added all she wanted is to make them happy and feel proud they’re working for the show.
Meanwhile, she’s committed to making this season the best they ever had so far. In conclusion, she said, “Welcome to season 18 of The Ellen Show and I am so glad that you’re here.”
