Nicole Acanto | On 21, Oct 2020

Ellen DeGeneres finally broke her long silence over reports of her show having a “toxic” work environment. The show returned from a long break on Monday September 19.

DeGeneres defended herself by saying, “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.”

She used the opening monologue of her daytime show to address the multiple reports of her show’s work culture. 

DeGeneres apologizes for all affected and recognizes her “privilege and power” in media and life. She also recognizes the importance of treating those she works with, with respect.

She claimed all responsibility for everything that happens under her in her show, as she should.

“It’s not going well because it’s not happening fast enough,” she joked to the audience.

She pledged this new season is the beginning of a new chapter, being joined by a virtual audience from all over the world, with Tiffany Haddish as the first guest, and her new co-executive producer and DJ, Twitch. 

It is said that the show has made many changes since the story from Buzzfeed News came out in July about the set having allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct. Warner Media split with executive producer Ed Glavin, head writer Kevin Leman, and co-executive producer Johnathan Norman.

The show now provides staff with five days paid time off, birthdays off, paid time off for doctors appointments and family events. 

There was also an all-staff Zoom call in August in which DeGeneres apologized to all of them for the environment.

DeGeneres’s fans and staff can only hope there is truly going to be change in the work culture with the new days off and the new executive staff.