Cancel Culture is back at it and the latest person to feel the heat is Ellen DeGeneres. The talk show host is reportedly close to quitting her own show to “recover her personal brand” after some of her staff have alleged that the set was “dominated by fear.”
Warner Bros launched a probe into the show after a number of former staffers told BuzzFeed that they had experienced racism, bullying and intimidation on set. Since then, at least a dozen former employees have come forward saying that there have been multiple instances of sexual misconduct in the workplace. Many of the show’s producers have denied claims that they harassed staff members and Warner Bros has declined to comment.
Ellen wrote to the show’s staff, apologizing for the reported toxic culture that has engulfed the Ellen show. “On day one of our show, I told everyone in our first meeting that The Ellen DeGeneres Show would be a place of happiness – no one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect,”she penned.
She went on to say, “Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case. And for that, I am sorry. Anyone who knows me knows it’s the opposite of what I believe and what I hoped for our show.”
DeGeneres added that she often “relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I’d want them done. Clearly some didn’t.” She concluded the letter saying, “If not for COVID, I’d have done this in person, and I can’t wait to be back on our stage and see you all then.”
Ellen’s wife Portia de Rossi took to instagram to support her wife saying #IStandByEllen.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDb1I_Jp2S1/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
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If Ellen does decide to step down from the show, rumors are flying that the network is planning to replace her with Late Late Show host James Corden. NBC chairman is reportedly a “huge fan” of Corden, who is said to be viewed as the “long term successor” even before the Ellen Show found itself knee-deep in a scandal.
The news that Ellen, who is one the most prominent (and now possibly problematic) queer people on televison, might be replaced by a straight cis-gendered has not been received well by the Twitterverse.
https://twitter.com/mcm913/status/1290074740304969729?s=20
Many are saying that Corden is actually worse than Ellen and Twitter users are offering their preferred alternatives via the trending hashtag #ReplaceEllen. Suggestions include Ellen Page (partly for convenience), Harry Styles, Michelle Obama, Kate McKinnon and “my dad.”
https://twitter.com/RobertRichmond0/status/1289977022593118208?s=20
#ReplaceEllen with Harry Fucking Styles pic.twitter.com/jbTIJA391l
— boga zb (@boyazzzzzz) August 3, 2020
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my dad should #ReplaceEllen pic.twitter.com/bE5tNBDOQE
— kelsie (@kellssiie) August 3, 2020
It is however important to note that James Corden is contractually obligated to CBS till 2022. Who do you think should host The Ellen Show – should it still be Ellen (or perhaps a different Ellen)? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
