Ellen DeGeneres’ latest stand-up special has premiered on Netflix, where she talks about being ‘kicked out of show business’ following allegations of a toxic work environment.
In 2020, a report surfaced accusing DeGeneres’ talk show of fostering a workplace with racism, sexual misconduct, and intimidation involving three executive producers. Warner Bros. conducted an internal investigation, resulting in the removal of three executive producers and one co-executive producer. DeGeneres publicly apologized, and the show concluded in 2022 after 19 seasons.
DeGeneres addresses the controversy in her new Netflix special, For Your Approval, jokingly acknowledging, “Oh yeah, I got kicked out of show business. ‘Cause I’m mean. You can’t be mean and be in show business. No, they’ll kick you out.”
Ellen DeGeneres jokes about being “kicked out of show business” in the new trailer for her upcoming stand-up special.
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She recounts how people now perceive her, saying, “Everywhere I go, I know everyone’s heard that I’m mean. I know when I walk into a restaurant, people are watching, waiting to see if I’ll be mean.”
DeGeneres recalls the moment she first read the accusations, with the headline: “How Ellen DeGeneres Became the Most Hated Person in America.” She humorously added, “It’s a horrible thing to say about somebody, and to make it worse, there was no trophy, no awards banquet, nothing. Just the title. I made a sash at home and wore that around just to feel like I had something.”
The comedian admits it was shocking to see such headlines and sought therapy to cope with the negativity. “I was in therapy for a while, trying to deal with all the hatred that was coming at me,” DeGeneres shared. She humorously recounted a conversation with her therapist, “At one point my therapist said, ‘Ellen, where do you get this idea that everyone hates you?’ And I said, ‘Well, um, New York Times, Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly, Us Weekly, I think Elmo may have said something recently on an episode of Sesame Street.’”
DeGeneres also reflected on how ending every episode of her show with ‘be kind to one another’ created a ‘one-dimensional character’ that she felt confined her. “I became a brand, a one-dimensional character who gave stuff away and danced every day up steps. Do you know how hard it was to dance up steps? Would a mean person dance up steps? I don’t think so. Had I ended my show by saying ‘Go f**k yourselves,’ people would’ve been pleasantly surprised to find out I’m kind.”
For Your Approval is now streaming on Netflix.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Yahoo Entertainment reports Ellen DeGeneres humorously addresses toxic workplace allegations in her Netflix special, using comedy to reclaim her narrative and discuss her personal struggles.(read more)
- TheWrap reports that Ellen DeGeneres addresses her alleged toxic workplace behavior in her Netflix special, discussing the backlash and her personal growth without apologizing for her actions.(read more)
- Today explores Ellen DeGeneres addressing workplace scandal and ‘mean’ rumors in her Netflix special ‘For Your Approval,’ reflecting on her career and public image amidst controversy.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What is Ellen DeGeneres’ latest stand-up special on Netflix?
It’s called For Your Approval.
Why did Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show end?
It ended after 19 seasons following allegations of a toxic work environment.
How did Ellen DeGeneres respond to the allegations of a toxic work environment?
She publicly apologized and addressed the controversy in her latest comedy special.
What did Ellen DeGeneres say about being ‘kicked out of show business’?
She humorously remarked, ‘You can’t be mean and be in show business.’
How did Ellen DeGeneres cope with the backlash from the allegations?
She sought therapy to deal with the hatred and shock.
