The Ellen DeGeneres Show returned for its 18th season on Monday after being hit with a series of toxic workplace allegations over the summer.
In a Buzzfeed News investigation in July, dozens of the show’s former employees shared stories of racism, sexual harassment and general misconduct they experienced from their managers. At the time, series studio WarnerMedia launched an investigation into the claims, which led to the firing of executive producers Ed Glavin and Kevin Leman, and co-executive producer Jonathan Norman. Many of those who shared their stories said they didn’t feel DeGeneres was aware of all that went on behind the camera.
Monday’s premiere, then, had a lot riding on it. DeGeneres did apologize, claiming she had not been aware of the toxicity behind the scenes of the show, but upon learning of it, said she is helping to make the changes needed.
“I learned that things happened here that never should have happened,” she said. “I take that very seriously and I want to say I am so sorry to the people who were affected. I know that I’m in a position of privilege and power and I realized that with that comes responsibility, and I take responsibility for what happens at my show.”
But, for the most part, her monologue was oddly peppered with jokes and sarcasm, suggesting it’s almost impossible for the once renowned “queen of kindness” to step out of the character she’s created on daytime TV and just be, well, genuine.
DeGeneres began, “How was everybody’s summer? Good, yeah? Mine was great. Super terrific.” Later, she added, “Let me give you some advice out there if anybody’s thinking of changing their title or giving yourself a nickname, do not go with the ‘be kind’ lady. Don’t do it.”
She also poked fun at the rumours that she does not allow her staff to make eye contact with her, saying, “I’m excited to see all of my staff and my crew. Hi, everybody. Please don’t look me in the eye. Oh, I’m kidding. But I will be passing out gum for everyone. Kidding again.”
It’s not all that surprising that it would be tough for the host to pivot from her and the series’ motto “be kind.” The irony is thick, with DeGeneres having quietly been considered, for many years, an alleged terror – not only with her employees, but with everyone from restaurant waitstaff to former castmates.
While the rumours have long been rampant, it was only this summer that they reached the surface. And, according to Buzzfeed News , her former employees are not happy about the way she’s finally chosen to address what they went through.
One told reporter Krystie Lee Yandoli, “Not only did Ellen turn my trauma, turn our traumas, into a joke, she somehow managed to make this about her.”
Another shared, “When she said, ‘Oh my summer was great’ and that was supposed to be funny I thought, ‘It’s funny that you had a rough summer because everyone was calling out all of the allegations of your toxic work environment and now you’re the one suffering?’”
The report goes on to allege that the show’s current staff have been given little direction on what the “vision” for the new season will be moving forward as the scandal has overshadowed much of production.
Based on the premiere alone, it seems DeGeneres will go back to business as usual, and future episodes will be treated as if nothing ever happened. And it’s likely this tactic will work. With her having become as massive a television figure as she has, her persona has largely been insulated from the truth.
The Ellen DeGeneres Show’s audience has been loyal to her for 18 long seasons, and has long bought into the “be kind” motto. With DeGeneres in their homes every weekday afternoon for nearly two decades, it’s no surprise that her audience trusts her. But it’s unfortunate she’s taken advantage of that, as she continues to schlep what now seems a very hollow brand of kindness.
“I don’t think I’m that good that I could come out here everyday for 17 years and fool you,” DeGeneres said in the premiere. “This is me, and my intention is to always be the best person I can be.”
What exactly “best” means, it seems, is up for debate.
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