'Ellen Show' executives reportedly were made aware of 'toxic' workplace allegations in 2018, 2 years before 3 top producers were fired as a result
- An investigation took place in 2018 following a complaint alleging gender discrimination and sexism at the "Ellen DeGeneres Show" — two years before three executive producers left the show following an investigation into the show's workplace culture.
- One current and one former employee of the "Ellen Show" told BuzzFeed News that the complaint was filed to an unidentified industry union, prompting the investigation, which was confirmed by a spokesperson for Warner Bros. to BuzzFeed News.
- The spokesperson said the matter was "resolved with no merit to claims of gender discrimination" and that "there is nothing new or noteworthy about this issue."
- The news of the 2018 investigation follows the departure of three executive show producers — Ed Glavin, Kevin Leman, and Jonathan Norman — earlier this month after BuzzFeed News' reporting of a toxic workplace environment, according to two current and 71 former show staffers.
Executives at the "Ellen DeGeneres Show" were made aware of toxic workplace allegations in 2018 — two years before three top producers were ousted as a result, BuzzFeed News reported Tuesday.
One current and one former staffer of the show told BuzzFeed News that a complaint alleging gender discrimination and sexism was filed to an unnamed industry union in 2018, prompting an investigation from the show's distributor, Warner Bros.
A Warner Bros. spokesperson confirmed to BuzzFeed News that an outside investigator looked into the complaint but it was "resolved with no merit to claims of gender discrimination" and that "there is nothing new or noteworthy about this issue."
"As previously stated, we are committed to changing the things that need to change and moving forward in a constructive and positive way," the spokesperson said.
The news of the 2018 complaint follows the departure of three executive show producers — Ed Glavin, Kevin Leman, and Jonathan Norman — following BuzzFeed News' reporting and subsequent investigation on the alleged toxic work environment, according to two current and 71 former staffers.
WarnerMedia launched an internal investigation into the workplace culture, which is still ongoing and "nearing its conclusion," according to David McGuire, executive vice president of programming at Warner Bros., citing the BuzzFeed News report.
Host Ellen DeGeneres, executive producers Mary Connelly, Andy Lassner, and Derek Westervelt appeared in a video conference with employees Monday to address the workplace complaints. DeGeneres also apologized to staff in an email at the end of July for failing to create a workplace culture where "everyone would be treated with respect."
"Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case. And for that, I am sorry. Anyone who knows me knows it's the opposite of what I believe and what I hoped for our show," DeGeneres wrote in the email.