Last year, Ellen DeGeneres was embroiled in a workplace scandal. Ever since, her future has been hanging a thread.
A look back to various Scandals
For a long time, Ellen had a squeaky-clean image. Hearing her name would bring smiles to people’s faces. However soon after, her image began to sink. Rumors started circulationg about Ellen’s not kind nature to her guests and staff members.
Here’s a look back to how it all started:
Ellen interviews Dakota Jhonson
Dakota Jhonson was a guest on Ellen’s talk show on November 27, 2019 and the interview got really awkward. Dakota talked about her 30th birthday party. This was where Ellen jokingly why she wasn’t invited. Moreover, she also asks the off-camera producer who confirms that she has been invited.
Kevin Porter calls out to Ellen DeGeneres
Comedian Kevin Porter also tweeted saying how Ellen is the meanes person. In addition, encouraged others to share their stories of Ellen when she was unkind.
Right now we all need a little kindness. You know, like Ellen Degeneres always talks about! 😊❤️
She’s also notoriously one of the meanest people alive
Respond to this with the most insane stories you’ve heard about Ellen being mean & I’ll match every one w/ $2 to @LAFoodBank
— Kevin T. Porter (@KevinTPorter) March 20, 2020
Moreover, a person retweeted to this replying:
I worked @RealFoodDaily, served her & Porsha at brunch. She wrote a letter to the owner & complained about my chipped nail polish (not that it was on her plate but just that it was on my hand). I had worked till closing the night before & this was next morn, almost got me fired.
— Chris Farah (@ChrisLFarah) March 20, 2020
July 2020, Reports of Toxic Work Environment
One of the former employees at Ellen also reported her behavior on BuzzFeed. The story exposed racism, fear and intimidation. The employees said they experienced these fears, calling the workplace of the show “toxic.” The workers had issues — including fired for taking medical leave, and told not to speak to Ellen directly if they saw her at the office. One employee alleged they were fed up with racial comments and walked off the job.
Kelly Clarkson Takes over
Due to the toxic environment, the ratings of Ellen show have gone down by 37% compared to last season, the lowest ever in history.
Meanwhile, The Kelly Clarkson Show “hit a season high” in December 2020, per Page Six, matching Ellen’s ratings for the first time. With three Daytime Emmys under her belt in 2020, and impressive hosting turns like the 2020 Billboard Music Awards, Clarkson’s trajectory is certainly upwards.
While Ellen getting replaced is out of the question because of her owning the rights to her show, the same time slot could be handed over to someone else as the show producers at Telepictures want to stick to the prestigious 3pm period.
A source told Page Six: “Telepictures knows Ellen wants out, but execs want to keep the time slots and put another host in her place.”
“Kelly would likely get Ellen’s time slots, but Telepictures will fight to keep them,” added the insider.
Also Read: Ellen issues an Apology