America’s favorite daytime TV host and comedian, Ellen Degeneres, might be replaced on her own show after widespread allegations from former staffers and one current employee spoke up about racist and sexist misconduct in the workplace. Celebrity friends such as Kevin Hart, Jay Leno, and Katy Perry have all came out and refuted the claims of misconduct at the Ellen show.
“People love to take shots at people. They love to see people fall. How quickly so many forget. @TheEllenShow is a kind, thoughtful, courageous human being who stands for what is right and highlights on her show the best of us. She has helped change the views for equality,” Popular music manager, Scooter Braun wrote on Instagram. “Needed to say this as I know first hand how she helps so many when we are watching and when we are not. She isn’t about what is popular she is about what is right. Sending love to Ellen today.”
Back in July, BuzzFeed News broke a story on ten former staffers claiming that Ellen’s ‘be kind’ mantra on her award-winning NBC daytime talk show vastly contradicts the toxic workplace culture most of the employees have to endure day to day. It makes sense that her peers and friend would come to her defense with sincere sentiments but it begs the question; ‘What does that have to do with a toxic workplace culture?’ Celebrities do tend to be distant from toxic workplace cultures because of their money and status. When was the last time any of them had to worry about middle management?
“It’s all for show,” one former employee remarked to the site. The complaints range from staffers, bodygaurds, and DJs. “I know they give money to people and help them out, but it’s for show.”
Since controversy hit, there have been talks of replacing the talk show host with James Corden even before these allegations blew up. The main reason Ellen is being punish for the toxicity in her studio is because of how long its been going on, its a testment to how we treat workers/staffers. After 20 years and employing over 1000 staff members, the article goes on to expose reports from employees unjustly being fired after taking medical leave, instructed to not speak to DeGeneres directly, and sexist pay inequality among employees. There were also accounts of intimidation towards black female employees and insensitivity to the mental health of an employee who was suicidal.
“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,” another former employee said. “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.”
