In July, BuzzFeed News published "Former Employees Say Ellen’s 'Be Kind' Talk Show Mantra Masks a Toxic Work Culture" — an investigative piece about the allegedly toxic workplace environment at The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Even before the BuzzFeed News article, old clips of Ellen's problematic strange behavior toward celebrity guests and her audience went viral, and people started questioning the validity of Ellen's "Be kind" persona.
Ellen being rude and condescending towards a young translator
In the days leading up to her show's return, Ellen promised to address the allegations. And she did, in a video captioned, "Today we're starting a new chapter."
Today we’re starting a new chapter.
“I learned that things happened here that never should have happened," Ellen said in the opening monologue. "I take that very seriously, and I want to say I am so sorry to the people who were affected. I know that I'm in a position of privilege and power, and I realized that with that comes responsibility, and I take responsibility for what happens at my show.”
The seven-minute video had pauses for applause (even though there was no live audience) and a joke that being the "Be kind" lady — which Ellen said she started saying after the death of LGBTQ teen Tyler Clementi — was a "tough position to be in."
People were not impressed or convinced by the "apology" video, noting how bizarre it is for Ellen to be starting a "new chapter" this far into her career:
ellen degeneres be like "im still learning & growing" u are 62 years old
ellen on the 18th season of her show talking about “today we’re starting a new chapter” like wrap it up bro finish the book
Others noted how disingenuous the apology video seemed:
the ellen stuff fucking sucks. i have to admit, as a lesbian, i’ve struggled to let myself go full “fuck ellen,” because she was so important for queer women for so long. but being alive in america today, i’m so fucking tired of watching powerful, wealthy white people openly lie.
Ellen wants everyone to know that the "happy/amazing" person she portrays on TV is real and her only crime was not policing her toxic team 🙄 Gee, quite an "apology" lady https://t.co/yJEOiT578H
How i felt about Ellen DeGeneres apology like WOMEN At least pretend to try CHILEE-
I gotta hand it to Ellen to delivering the most unevolved Aquarian apology lmaoooooooo jeebus
People said her jokes about the allegations showed that she didn't take them seriously:
Ellen’s apology: 1) I had no idea the place and people I go to who work for me were in a toxic environment. 2) I’m not good enough an actor to fake nice. 3) I’m taking this so seriously I’m throwing in a bunch of jokes so my audience will validate I’m a good person.
ellen degeneres using her first monologue back after allegations of a toxic work environment to make jokes about how she's impatient and not a good enough actress to fake being a nice person for 18 years just grosses me the fuck out.