The Ellen Show Is Returning, But Should It Be?

The Ellen Show is back later this month, with major changes reportedly being made behind the scenes. The release of series 18 follows a media storm of controversy around Ellen DeGeneres and her personality both on and off stage. DeGeneres, who is (or rather, was) loved by many for her “be kind” motto, and her work for the LGBTQ+ community has been repeatedly shot down lately for being a ‘bully’ and creating a toxic work environment for her staffers. The revelation, which came as quite a shock, is no longer such, as new complaints roll in day by day. In retrospect, it’s a wonder how we missed the signs at all. Take that Dakota Johnson interview for example…

For those who haven’t seen the infamous video (pause reading, and watch now!), DeGeneres can be seen bluntly calling out Johnson for not receiving an invite to the actress’s party. The atmosphere is immediately tense but gets much, much worse. “That’s not true” Johnson shoots back, going on to say, “ask everybody.” Further mortification follows after Johnson announces her favorite comedian performed at her party, subsequently offending comedian DeGeneres, and causing us to sink into our seats. It’s an interview filled with fake smiles and awkward laughs, and it’s not the first of its kind. In another cringe-inducing interview from 2013, DeGeneres accuses Taylor Swift of lying about dating Zac Efron, despite Swift’s insistence she didn’t, and her obvious discomfort around the topic. The interview continues with jabs at Swift’s dating history and suggestions Swift’s newest album is even about Efron. Jeez. 

Worst yet is The Ellen Show’s 2008 interview with Mariah Carey. This particular episode has been making the rounds lately, as evidence of Ellen’s inappropriate behavior. In the distasteful video, DeGeneres outs Carey’s pregnancy by asking her to drink a glass of champagne to prove she’s not pregnant. Carey, visibly embarrassed, says “don’t discuss that,” and devastatingly miscarried weeks later. Such humiliating and saddening events should’ve encouraged DeGeneres to rethink her behavior, however, this was not the case. (See MsMojo’s video, “Top 10 Times Celebs Clapped Back at Ellen.”)

Perhaps 2020 will be the year Ellen and her show are held accountable for their actions. Internal investigations have already been made into the show, following allegations of racism and mistreatment of staff (read this BuzzFeed article for more info), and have found deficiencies related to management, although no evidence of systemic racism. As well as this, three producers have been let go, as DeGeneres apologized to her staff, and blamed others for ‘not doing their job as she’d want them to be done.’ 

Following these controversies has certainly been a whirlwind, and we’re intrigued to see what The Ellen Show has to say come September 21^st. “Yes, we’re gonna talk about it,” said DeGeneres in a press release.  

Up Next, Long Serving Trump Aide Kellyanne Conway Quits Day After Daughter Tweets For Emancipation.