Ellen DeGeneres producers told guests to compliment her on-air

July 30, 2020

Could Ellen DeGeneres become a canceled celeb following backlash over alleged bad behavior behind the scenes of her show?

As Warner Bros. investigates the workplace culture on “Ellen,” we’re told that producers insisted guests fawn over DeGeneres on-air. Two guests, who asked not to be named, told Page Six that while being prepped for their interview, producers demanded they stroke Ellen’s ego: “Compliment Ellen, tell her what a big fan you are.”

Of the appearance three years ago, a source added, “These guests were already fans of Ellen, big fans, but to be told you have to flatter her was really weird. You shouldn’t have to be told … If you do look at past interviews, most of the guests always gush over Ellen — whether they’re members of the public or her close friends.” There is no evidence Ellen herself insisted on this.

Australian TV host Neil Breen said Ellen’s staff were “walking on eggshells” during a 2013 appearance on his show. Breen said he was told, “No one is to talk to Ellen. You don’t talk to her, you don’t approach her, you don’t look at her.”

DeGeneres finally spoke out on Thursday, appearing to blame others on the show. “I’ve not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs … Clearly some didn’t,” she wrote. “That will now change and I’m committed to ensuring this does not happen again.” She added that after nearly losing her career when she came out as gay, “I truly … have deep compassion for those being looked at differently, or treated unfairly, not equal, or — worse — disregarded.”

Warner Bros. said in a statement that the company takes “the recent allegations around the show’s workplace culture very seriously … WarnerMedia interviewed dozens of current and former employees about the environment … The primary findings of the investigation indicated some deficiencies related to the show’s day-to-day management. We have identified several staffing changes, along with appropriate measures, to address the issues that have been raised.”

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