Daytime television host Ellen DeGeneres addressed the reports of a toxic workplace environment on her show.
DeGeneres, who apologized to the 270-person staff in an email over the summer, addressed it publicly during Monday’s season 18 premiere of her show.
“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’ve happened,” DeGeneres said in the clip she posted on social media. “I take that very seriously, and I want to say I’m 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 with responsibility. And I take responsibility for what happens at my show,” she continued. “This is The Ellen DeGeneres Show. I am Ellen DeGeneres.”
DeGeneres also indirectly acknowledged that top producers Ed Glavin, Kevin Leman, and Jonathan Norman were fired.
“We have had a lot of conversations over the last few weeks about the show, our workplace, and what we want for the future,” she said. “We have made the necessary changes, and today, we are starting a new chapter.”
She also addressed her persona as the “be kind” woman and said that while she does preach niceness, sometimes she has other emotions.
“The truth is, I am that person that you see on TV. I am also a lot of other things,” she said. “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, and it’s not going well because it’s not happening fast enough, I will tell you that.”
