Ellen Degeneres Leaves Talk Show After 19 Seasons
On May 12 Ellen Degeneres announced that after 19 seasons of her syndicated talk show, it would be coming to an end. It is the end of a talk show era as we know it. Degeneres chose to discontinue the show due to a lack of challenge and creativity.
In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter Degeneres stated, “When you’re a creative person, you constantly need to be challenged – and as great as this show is, and as fun, as it is, it’s just not a challenge anymore.”
RIP @TheEllenShow https://t.co/8ypZcK5d0W
— Vince 🌴 (@bisdak_explorer) May 12, 2021
As it turns out, Degeneres intended to end the show after season 16. Degeneres stated:
“I was going to stop after season 16. That was going to be my last season and they wanted to sign for four more years and I said I’d sign for maybe for one … They were saying there was no way to sign for one. ‘We can’t do that with the affiliates and the stations need more of a commitment.’ So, we [settled] on three more years and I knew that would be my last. That’s been the plan all along. And everybody kept saying, even when I signed, ‘You know, that’s going to be 19, don’t you want to just go to 20? It’s a good number.’ So is 19.“
It’s been a great run. You’ve a legend, and a hero in my heart. I will respect your decision and look forward to seeing you and your new projects in other areas! I love you and Portia😊💖 @TheEllenShow pic.twitter.com/pwbAhZPk32
— #ThankYouEllen (@alwaysgo8) May 12, 2021
In 2018, Degeneres told The New York Times that she was ready to leave the show. Her brother Vance opposed the idea whereas her wife, Portia, completely supported her decision. Portia stated, “I just think she’s such a brilliant actress and stand-up that it doesn’t have to be this talk show for her creativity… There are other things she could tackle.”
The news of a finale comes after many employees spoke up about their time working for the show. Throughout the summer of 2020, staff members of the daytime talk show stepped forward to reveal the toxicity going on while the cameras were off.
Ten former employees spoke to Buzzfeed regarding workplace abuse. Here are just some of the issues the employees put up with, “They said they were fired after taking medical leave or bereavement days to attend family funerals. One employee, who claims she was fed up with comments about her race, essentially walked off the job. Others said they were also instructed by their direct managers to not speak to DeGeneres if they saw her around the office.”
All of the employees who wished to remain anonymous agreed that Degeneres’ “be kind” slogan was just a mask in front of the cameras. After the allegations were released, celebrities refused to come on the show and many of the sponsors pulled out. Even then, Degeneres was still given a second chance to continue on.
At the season 18 premiere, Degeneres apologized and stated, “As you may have heard this summer, there were allegations of a toxic work environment at our show … And then there was an investigation. 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. 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.”
Although former employees were “underwhelmed” by her apology, she has gone on with her show as usual and will continue to until the end.
There is no set premiere date as of yet, but the final season of The Ellen Degeneres Show will premiere in September 2021.
Writer | Tweet me @brittanyskylerr
