I'M NOT PERFECT

Ellen DeGeneres has said sorry to staff about the ‘toxic’ work environment on her show but it may be too late to restore her reputation

- NICI DE WET

THEY were words that used to be her mantra. “Be kind,” Ellen DeGeneres would breezily tell viewers at the end of each show. But these days the talkshow queen has a new catchphrase: “I’m sorry”, and she can’t seem to say it often enough.

Erratic, bullying behaviour and unfair work practices, including that no one speak to her or even “look her in the eye” – these have been just a few of the astonishing grievances that have been hurled at Ellen in recent months by scores of employees who say the much-loved comedian fostered a “toxic work environment” (YOU, 7 May 2020).

For viewers who totally bought into the “be kind” philosophy she preached on her award-winning show, it was all too much to stomach. As ratings plummeted to an all-time low, there was even speculation Ellen was going to be replaced by UK comedian James Corden.

But now following an investigation by Warner Bros, which distributes the show, the 62-year-old is bending over backwards to clear up the mess that has seen her reputation ripped to shreds.

In a staff meeting aimed at boosting morale and addressing the allegations head on, Ellen issued a heartfelt apology – her second in recent weeks.

“I’m hearing that some people felt that I wasn’t kind or too short with them, or too impatient.

“I apologise to anybody if I’ve hurt your feelings in any way,” she said in an emotional Zoom video call to 200 of her employees.