Ellen DeGeneres ‘will not be seen again’ as she announces her Hollywood exit.
Emmy Award-winning TV personality DeGeneres, 66, began her career in stand-up comedy bars.
On her show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which debuted in 2003, she combined comedy, celebrity, musical guests, and human interest stories.
With millions of viewers per episode and 19 seasons, the daytime program was a huge hit for the star.
But in 2020, everything will be different.
On every episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, DeGeneres famously said, “Be kind to yourself.” She built her career on kindness to others.
But there were whispers behind the scenes that the comic wasn’t as kind as he appeared on the daytime program.
Former employees began speaking out about their experiences working on the show, and even celebrities joined in, with some defending DeGeneres and others agreeing with the former employees.
Last but not least, two BuzzFeed exposés in 2020 investigated allegations of sexual abuse, harassment, and a toxic workplace culture.
Although DeGeneres herself was not accused of toxic behavior in the investigation, the comedian’s name and specific brand of sympathy are used throughout the show.
Following the allegations, Variety revealed that three top producers had been fired from the syndicated strip distributed by Warner Bros.
“I learned that things happened here that should never have happened,” DeGeneres said in an apology to the audience on air, as reported by The Guardian.
“I know I’m in a position of privilege and power, and I realize that with that comes responsibility, and I take responsibility for what happens on my show.”
In 2021, DeGeneres told host Savannah Guthrie in an interview with Today that the media seemed “misogynistic” and “orchestrated”.
She continued: “All I ever hear from every guest that comes on the show is what a happy vibe it is and what a happy place it is.”
After more than two decades, DeGeneres’ talk show ended in 2022.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, DeGeneres said she needed to be “challenged” by something new.
The comic has been out of the public eye for some time but has recently returned.
She has a comedy special coming out soon on Netflix and is currently on Ellen’s Last Stand… Up Tour.
According to Tudum, DeGeneres stated, “To answer the questions that everyone is asking me – Yes, I will talk about it.” This suggests that the special would address her controversies.
“Honestly, I make fun of what happened to me, but it was devastating, really,” DeGeneres joked on the tour, according to Rolling Stone.
“I just hated the end of the show. I absolutely adore the show and I just hated the fact that that was the last time people saw me.”
When asked if she would be in any upcoming movies or theater productions during a Q&A session after one of her stand-up performances, DeGeneres replied, “Um, no.” You won’t see me again after this.
Ellen DeGeneres’ departure from Hollywood marks the end of an era that began with her rise as a stand-up comedian and culminated in the success of *The Ellen DeGeneres Show*.
Despite her positive public persona and message of kindness that resonated with millions, revelations of toxic workplace culture and allegations against her show’s staff have clouded her legacy. DeGeneres’ on-air apology reflected her acknowledgment of the issues and emphasized the responsibility that comes with her platform.
After more than 19 seasons, DeGeneres decided to step down, citing a desire for new challenges. Her recent return to the spotlight with a Netflix comedy special and tour suggests a willingness to confront her past experiences through humor. Although she expressed her displeasure with how her show ended, her upcoming projects may offer her a chance to redefine herself.
However, DeGeneres hinted that this could be her last public appearance, as she stated: “You won’t see me after this. Whether that means a permanent departure or a transformation into a new chapter remains to be seen. For now, she’s navigating the complexities of her career and public perception while reminding fans that there’s more to her story than what’s been portrayed in the media. The future may hold surprises, but for many, her departure marks a poignant conclusion to her influential but controversial journey in entertainment.