Why did Ellen’s show end? In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ellen DeGeneres revealed that her decision to leave the show had been brewing for years. This post provides details on her reasons, so read on to find out.
Why Did Ellen Show End?
Today we taped the final episode of The Ellen Show which airs on May 26th. pic.twitter.com/akuukE3fw8
— Ellen DeGeneres (@EllenDeGeneres) April 29, 2022
However, this announcement comes after a turbulent year for the long-standing talk show, as its ratings took a nosedive when allegations of a toxic work environment involving DeGeneres and others came to light.
DeGeneres explained to THR that she no longer finds the show creatively fulfilling and had made up her mind before signing a three-season contract extension in 2018.
After her second sitcom, “The Ellen Show,” was canceled in 2002, she began hosting the talk show in 2003. Before that, her first sitcom, “Ellen,” aired on ABC from 1994 to 1998.
DeGeneres candidly stated, “I had planned to stop hosting ‘Ellen’ after Season 16. That was going to be my last season, and they wanted to sign me for four more years.
I initially agreed to sign for maybe one more year, but ultimately we settled on three more years, knowing that would be my final stint. That’s been the plan from the start.”
Allegations of Staff Mistreatment
In July 2020, a BuzzFeed News article brought widespread attention to allegations of bullying and harassment behind the scenes of the show. The article featured accounts from one current and 10 former employees of Ellen, who described a hostile work environment.
This was followed by another BuzzFeed News report where 36 anonymous former employees accused top producers of harassment, sexual misconduct, and assault.
In response, Warner Bros. initiated an internal investigation and fired three high-level producers. Before addressing the allegations on the Season 18 premiere of the show on September 21, DeGeneres reportedly apologized to her staff via email.
In an interview with THR, DeGeneres clarified that her decision to move on from the show was unrelated to the controversy. While she admitted that the accusations hurt her, she emphasized that they were not the reason behind her departure.
She said, “The allegations were very hurtful to me. But if I was quitting the show because of that, I wouldn’t have come back this season.
So, it’s not why I’m stopping, but it was hard because I was sitting at home, it was summer, and I saw a story that people have to chew gum before they talk to me and I’m like, ‘Okay, this is hilarious.’
Then I see another story of some other ridiculous thing, and then it just didn’t stop.”
Ellen’s Departure Marks the End of an Era
According to a statement obtained by TIME, Mike Darnell, Warner Bros.’ Unscripted TV President, expressed his sentiments about The Ellen Show. He described it as an unforgettable part of television history that will be greatly missed.
Darnell acknowledged that while all good things eventually come to an end, he believed that truly exceptional things endure. The Ellen Show started small but grew into a phenomenal success.
Throughout its 18-year run, it became renowned as a premier platform for celebrities and heartfelt human interest stories. The show, along with Ellen herself, brought laughter, joy, happiness, comfort, and even dancing to millions of viewers every day.
In an upcoming episode of Ellen, DeGeneres will have a conversation with Oprah Winfrey to discuss her departure. However, the show has not yet announced the premiere date for Season 19.
With DeGeneres stepping down from her prominent daytime slot, there are speculations that Kelly Clarkson, the host of The Kelly Clarkson Show, could potentially fill the 3 p.m. time slot previously occupied by Ellen.
Some sources suggest that The Kelly Clarkson Show, which currently airs after Ellen in many syndication markets, may be positioned for this transition.
Final Thought
Ellen DeGeneres’ decision to leave her long-running talk show comes after a turbulent year of controversy. Despite signing a contract extension, she had planned for it to be her final stint.
The show’s impact on popular culture and its contributions cannot be denied, but it also highlights the need for growth and reflection.
As we say goodbye to “Ellen,” we remember its positive aspects and hope for new voices to create inclusive and uplifting spaces.
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