Ellen DeGeneres opened up about the damaging scandal surrounding her talk show in 2020 during a recent stand-up routine at a venue in Los Angeles. The former host of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” joked sarcastically that she had been kicked out of show business for being mean, adding: “There’s no mean people in show business.”
In 2020, accusations emerged alleging a toxic work environment at the daytime talk programme. Several former employees also spoke out about sexually inappropriate behaviour by ousted producers and complaints regarding poor workplace culture from one producer specifically. The negative headlines led to DeGeneres announcing the end of her show last year and apologising to staff, with its final episode airing in May 2022.
DeGeneres admitted during Wednesday’s routine that she “didn’t know how to be a boss” and didn’t have any business acumen as a result. She also suggested her gender and sexuality played a role in the vitriol directed at her, referencing how her 1990s sitcom was cancelled after she came out as gay. DeGeneres told the audience: “Eventually they’re going to kick me out for a third time because I’m mean, old and gay.”
The comedian acknowledged that the backlash had taken its toll on her self-esteem and view of herself, admitting it was devastating. During an audience Q&A after her set she said: “Honestly, I’m making jokes about what happened to me but it was really tough…I just hated the way that show ended.” DeGeneres added that while people either love or hate celebrities in Hollywood, those who dislike them seem louder.
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