Celebrity News

Ellen DeGeneres slams ‘orchestrated’ and ‘misogynistic’ toxic workplace claims

Ellen DeGeneres blamed the “misogynistic” press for the negative attention she got last summer amid allegations that her daytime talk show was a toxic workplace.

“I have to say, if nobody else is saying it, it was really interesting because I’m a woman, and it did feel very misogynistic,” the TV host, 63, said Thursday on “Today,” where she discussed her bombshell decision to end “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” in 2022 after 19 seasons.

When Savannah Guthrie asked DeGeneres whether she felt like she was “being canceled” in the wake of the controversy, the comedian replied, “I mean, I really don’t understand it. I still don’t understand it. It was too orchestrated. It was too coordinated.”

DeGeneres acknowledged that it’s not uncommon for people to “get picked on” but complained that she faced criticism for “four months straight.”

Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen DeGeneres said Thursday on “Today” that last summer’s workplace controversy did not factor into her decision to end her daytime talk show. AP

“And then for me to read in the press about a toxic work environment when all I’ve ever heard from every guest that comes on the show is what a happy atmosphere this is and what a happy place is,” she added.

Last summer, reports surfaced about the alleged toxic workplace at “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” An investigation by WarnerMedia was launched in July, and three top producers were ousted a month later. Additionally, questions loomed about the sincerity of DeGeneres’ long-running mantra, “Be kind.”

DeGeneres addressed the scandal in September during the show’s season premiere, vowing to viewers that she is the “person you see on TV.”

Looking back on her return to the show last fall, the Emmy winner told Guthrie, 49, on Thursday that she felt she had no choice but to address the reports head-on.

Ellen DeGeneres with former First Lady Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama is one of Ellen DeGeneres’ high-profile guests over the years. Alamy Stock Photo

“How can I be an example for strength and perseverance and power if I give up and run away?” she asked. “It really is one of the reasons I came back. I worked really hard on myself.”

DeGeneres also insisted she is not ending her long-running talk show because of the workplace scandal and sinking ratings.

“If it was why I was quitting, I would have not come back this year,” DeGeneres said of the workplace scandal. “I really did think about not coming back, because it was devastating.”

Although DeGeneres this season had her highest premiere ratings since 2016, the ratings did falter after that. DeGeneres said Thursday that ratings didn’t play into the decision to move on after her show’s upcoming 19th season.

“As you said, everything in television is down. It’s got nothing to do with why I’m leaving. If I was having fun, I would do this show with nobody watching. So it’s got nothing to do with that,” she said on “Today.”

As for who may fill DeGeneres’ daytime shoes, Page Six reported Wednesday that Tiffany Haddish “is a favorite,” according to a senior NBCUniversal source.