Ellen DeGeneres Exposed: Behind TV's Most Toxic Workplace

Ellen DeGeneres, 2011. Photo by Glenn Francis under CC BY-SA 4.0.

For years, Ellen DeGeneres was the reigning queen of daytime TV, building her empire on the simple but powerful mantra: "Be kind." "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" was a feel-good factory, with fun celebrity interviews, gifts for audience members and struggling families, and lots of dancing. But behind the scenes, employees allege a very different story — one filled with fear, racism, and a workplace so toxic it could rival a chemical spill.

The 'Kindness Queen'?

The backlash reached a boiling point in 2020 when a BuzzFeed exposé detailed experiences from former employees attesting to the show's alleged culture of fear and intimidation.

• A Black former employee said she experienced racist comments and "microaggressions" on the job, explaining one instance at a work party where a main writer said to her, "I'm sorry, I only know the names of the white people who work here." The woman went on to say she recalled being reprimanded for pushing for diversity training and asking for a raise after she learned of a recent hire who was making double her salary doing the same job.
• Another former employee said they were let go after taking medical leave following a suicide attempt. "You'd think that if someone just tried to kill themselves, you don't want to add any more stress to their lives," the employee told BuzzFeed.
• Another former staffer explained, "They hire people who maybe are inexperienced with how a functional, nontoxic work environment actually is, or someone who just wants to be in that atmosphere so bad that they'll put up with it."

Although several of the former employees primarily held executive producers and senior managers accountable for the toxic daily work environment, others have pointed out that, in the end, the show bears Ellen's name. "If she wants to have her own show and have her name on the show title, she needs to be more involved to see what's going on," one former employee told BuzzFeed. "I think the executive producers surround her and tell her, 'Things are going great, everybody's happy,' and she just believes that, but it's her responsibility to go beyond that."

The Fallout: When Kindness Becomes a Brand

The controversy triggered an internal investigation at Warner Bros. and a public apology from Ellen herself.

In her apology, as reported by CNN, Ellen declared her original intentions for the show, describing it as a place where, "No one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect." She went on to acknowledge the accusations without taking full responsibility, "Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case. And for that, I am sorry."

Ellen promised to address the allegations head on, stating, "Alongside Warner Bros, we immediately began an internal investigation and we are taking steps, together, to correct the issues."

Warner Bros. interviewed dozens of employees and determined that there were, "Some deficiencies related to the show's day-to-day management," as reported by ABC News. As a result of the investigation, Warner Bros. reportedly fired three producers from the show and released a statement to ABC News. In the statement they shared the findings from the investigation, declaring, "We have identified several staffing changes, along with appropriate measures to address the issues that have been raised, and are taking the first steps to implement them."

Despite the half-hearted apologies and Warner Bros. investigation, audiences, once captivated by Ellen's dance moves and pranks, began tuning out. The show limped along for two more seasons before ending in 2022. Ellen, once voted the "Most Trustworthy Celebrity in America," according to The Wrap, found herself branded by some as "The Most Hated Person in America."

Ellen's Attempt at a Comeback

Now, two years after the curtain closed on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," she's back — sort of. Her new Netflix^® special, "For Your Approval," addresses the controversy, but don't expect a heartfelt apology.

"Oh yeah, I got kicked out of show business," Ellen quips in the special, according to The Wrap. "Yeah, 'cause I'm mean. You can't be mean and be in show business. No, they'll kick you out. No mean people in show business. I'm out."

Rather than a redemption arc, the special is filled with self-deprecating humor about her fall from grace. She jokes about making herself a sash that reads "Most Hated Person in America" and recalls her therapist asking why she thought everyone hated her. According to The Wrap, her response? "Well, um, New York Times, Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly, Us Weekly, I think Elmo may have said something recently on 'Sesame Street.'"

The Legacy of Ellen: A Cautionary Tale

While Ellen still has her loyal fans, her story serves as a cautionary tale of what happens when a personal brand doesn't align with reality. "Be kind" was more than just a sign-off; it was the foundation of her empire. And when cracks began to show, audiences weren't willing to look the other way.

Whether "For Your Approval" marks a new chapter or a final farewell remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Ellen DeGeneres is no longer dancing up the stairs — she's trying to climb her way back up.

References: Former Employees Say Ellen's "Be Kind" Talk Show Mantra Masks A Toxic Work Culture | Here's How Ellen DeGeneres Addresses Her 'Mean' Behavior in New Comedy Special | Ellen DeGeneres apologizes to staff after report of toxic culture at talk show | 3 producers out at 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' following workplace culture investigation