Ellen DeGeneres addresses ‘mean’ behavior, workplace toxicity scandal in Netflix special: Here’s what she said
Comedic Catharsis: Ellen DeGeneres Confronts Her Controversies in Final Netflix Special
In her final stand-up special, "Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval," the renowned comedian addresses the toxic workplace allegations that plagued her popular daytime talk show, using humor as a means of processing the public backlash and reclaiming her narrative.A Comedic Reckoning: Ellen DeGeneres Bids Farewell with Candor and Humor
Confronting the "Mean" Reputation
In her Netflix special, Ellen DeGeneres tackles head-on the accusations of workplace toxicity and her "mean" reputation that have dogged her in recent years. The comedian acknowledges the fallout from a 2020 BuzzFeed exposé, which saw current and former employees of her eponymous talk show make allegations of racism, intimidation, and sexual harassment behind the scenes. While DeGeneres herself was not the direct target of these claims, she faced criticism for allowing such an environment to fester under her watch.DeGeneres addresses this head-on, joking that she was "kicked out of show business" because "you can't be mean and be in show business." She also quips about being "the most hated person in America," a title she finds both "impressive" and "horrible." The comedian acknowledges the impact this public backlash had on her mental health, revealing that she had been in therapy to "deal with all the hatred" directed her way.Reflecting on Her Talk Show Legacy
Despite the controversies, DeGeneres expresses a deep fondness for her long-running talk show, describing it as a "family." However, she also acknowledges her own shortcomings as a boss, admitting that she was "a very immature boss" who relied on jokes and pranks, including having snakes drop from her office ceiling, because she "didn't want to be a boss" and "didn't go to business school."DeGeneres delves into the societal expectations and "unwritten rules" that female bosses must navigate, particularly the consequences they face when they don't conform to these gender-based norms. She draws a parallel to the cancellation of her sitcom "Ellen" in 1998 after she came out as gay, highlighting the challenges LGBTQ+ individuals have faced in the entertainment industry.Embracing Self-Acceptance and Healing
In a poignant moment, DeGeneres expresses her pride in who she is, acknowledging that she has spent a lifetime trying to make people happy and caring too much about what others think of her. She now chooses to focus on being remembered as someone who was beloved rather than mean, a decision that has been "beyond healing" for her.The special's conclusion sees DeGeneres expressing gratitude for the opportunity to say goodbye on her own terms, a sentiment that resonates with her audience, who give her a standing ovation. She reveals that she had no intention of doing another special, but the experience of her "Ellen's Last Stand … Up" comedy tour allowed her to see the enduring love and support from her fans, which has been a crucial part of her healing process.Through her candid reflections and unapologetic humor, Ellen DeGeneres uses her final stand-up special to reclaim her narrative, confront her controversies, and find a sense of closure as she bids farewell to the entertainment industry on her own terms.
![‘The Casting of Frank Stone’ Is a Solid Entry in the ‘Dead by Daylight’ Universe [Review]](https://img.royaweb.io/news/0d5270dc8a009de2b9e23730bae0090d.webp "‘The Casting of Frank Stone’ Is a Solid Entry in the ‘Dead by Daylight’ Universe [Review]")
