WarnerMedia investigating ‘Ellen DeGeneres Show’ for alleged toxicity
Executive producers say that they are taking full responsibility for the conditions of the work environment, and are committed to 'do better'
The Ellen DeGeneres Show will be undergoing an internal investigation prompted by recent complaints that claim the work environment is toxic.
Sources have leaked a corporate memo, pertaining to the review, that was emailed to current and former show employees.
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According to Variety, the message was from Warner Bros. executives and stated the company would be facilitating interviews to gain a more informed understanding of employee experiences on the show’s set.
The investigation comes following Buzzfeed‘s recent report that stated several employees had grievances about how the comedian’s show is being run. The outlet produced an extensive survey of the culture, interviewing both current and former employees, who gave their perspective of the workplace.
“If she [Ellen DeGeneres] 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,” said a former show employee.
(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Others claimed that they were fired following medical leave or let go after taking bereavement days to attend family funerals.
One person expressed that she quit because of how uncomfortable she was made to feel about her race.
One of the more shocking revelations was that workers were advised not to speak to DeGeneres when they saw her passing by.
“We are truly heartbroken and sorry to learn that even one person in our production family has had a negative experience. It’s not who we are and not who we strive to be, and not the mission Ellen has set for us,” said executive producers, Mary Connelly and Andy Lassner, in a joint statement to Buzzfeed.
The popular syndicated talk show hosted by Ellen DeGeneres started in 2003 and has been running for 17 seasons.
“For the record, the day-to-day responsibility of the Ellen show is completely on us. We take all of this very seriously and we realize, as many in the world are learning, that we need to do better, are committed to do better, and we will do better,” the executive producers continued.
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According to Variety, the interviews of employees will be managed by WarnerMedia’s employee relations group and an unnamed third party firm. DeGeneres has not yet commented on the allegations.
Currently, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, is contracted to run until 2022.
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