The Ellen DeGeneres Show loses over 1 million viewers after toxic workplace claims
Ouch.
Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: ABC
The Ellen DeGeneres Show has reportedly lost 1 million viewers since it was hit with toxic workplace allegations last year.
The 18th season debuted in September 2020, after months of negative headlines about Ellen and the show.
According to the NYT, the current season is averaging 1.5 million viewers per episode, compared with 2.6 million during the same period last year.
Put another way, that’s a 43% decline.
According to Nielson, the show has also lost 38% of its core audience: adult women under 54. Meanwhile, its ad revenue has taken a 20% hit.
“I learned that things happen here that never should have happened”
Apologising for the controversy when the show returned last year, Ellen told audiences: “I learned that things happen here that never should have happened.
“I take that very seriously. And I want to say I am so sorry to the people who were affected.”
Ellen’s bad press began last February when YouTuber and former Attitude cover star Nikki Tutorials said Ellen was “cold and distant” when she appeared on her show.
In April, a Twitter thread on why Ellen is “one of the meanest people alive” attracted 2,000 responses from people describing alleged negative interactions with her.
After generating backlash for comparing lockdown in her mansion to “jail”, Ellen faced further criticism in July when BuzzFeed reported allegations about the work culture on Ellen’s show. Some staff members told the outlet they had faced “racism, fear and intimidation” on set.
Executive producers Ed Glavin, Mary Connelly, and Andy Lassner then released a joint statement saying: “For the record, the day-to-day responsibility of the Ellen show is completely on us. We take all of this very seriously and we realize, as many in the world are learning, that we need to do better, are committed to do better, and we will do better.”
The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which has won 30 Emmys, launched in 2003.
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