Article originally published at www.variety.com
“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” has become the subject of an internal investigation by WarnerMedia following numerous accounts of workplace problems on the long-running daytime series, Variety has learned.
Executives from show producer Telepictures and distributor Warner Bros. Television sent a memo to staffers last week saying they have engaged WBTV-owner WarnerMedia’s employee relations group and a third party firm, who will interview current and former staffers about their experiences on set, said sources.
A Warner Bros. Television spokesperson declined to comment on the matter. A rep for “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” did not immediately respond to Variety‘s request for comment.
The memo comes on the heels of recent unflattering reports about working conditions at the show. In April, Variety reported on the treatment of legacy crew members during the coronavirus lockdown. In mid-July, BuzzFeed published a report alleging racism and intimidation on the show. The memo came from the desks of Telepictures executive vice president Donna Redier Linsk and WBTV vice president of human resources Donna Hancock Husband.
The name of the third party consultant was not immediately clear. Both companies underscored their commitment to providing an environment where employees can flourish, said one of the individuals familiar with the document.
BuzzFeed’s story contained a spectrum of accused racist behavior, from microagressions to jokes about mistaking two Black female employees with the same hairstyle, as well as criticism of statements allegedly made to another staffer by executive producer Ed Glavin. Glavin and fellow executive producers Andy Lassner and Mary Connelly addressed the allegations in a joint statement to Buzzfeed.
“We are truly heartbroken and sorry to learn that even one person in our production family has had a negative experience. It’s not who we are and not who we strive to be, and not the mission Ellen has set for us,” the group said.
“For the record, the day to day responsibility of the Ellen show is completely on us. We take all of this very seriously and we realize, as many in the world are learning, that we need to do better, are committed to do better, and we will do better.”
In April, Variety reported about distress and outrage among DeGeneres’ production crew, who were subjected to poor communication and told to expect reduced compensation during initial coronavirus shutdowns — even as the series hired nonunion crews to mount a quarantined production from the host’s Los Angeles home. The crew was restored to full pay prior to the publication of Variety‘s report.
At the time, a Warner Bros. spokesperson acknowledged that communication could have been better but cited complications due to the chaos caused by COVID-19. WarnerMedia has, like all other studios, been under pressure in recent years to investigate all claims of workplace hostility in response to increased focus on misconduct in the wake of the #MeToo movement.
- The same people claiming flu season is practically non-existent this year due to masks and social distancing are the ones telling us COVID is skyrocketing because we aren’t masking and social distancing.Two months into flu season, Washington state has reported ONE lab-confirmed case of influenza: The one thing that should INFURIATE anyone who doesn’t live in…
- COVID VACCINE: The perfect crime against humanity is happening in your face without of knowing itThe well documented evidence of this video can be found at: https://bit.ly/3hnqoR6. ATTENTION: The documents are at the bottom of their website: http://www.verite-covid19.fr The growing…
- Federal government says it will pay for any future coronavirus vaccine for all Americans – CNN(CNN) – The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said it will pay for any Covid-19 vaccine that is authorized or approved by the US…
- Could anti-vaxxers be barred from offices, pubs and gyms?Banning Covid vaccine refusers from offices, restaurants and other venues may lead to expensive discrimination claims, a leading lawyer has warned, even though it is…
- Genocide Warning issued to UK Government by The Medical RevolutionariesThe letter addressed to the government reads: Dear Under Secretary, We are writing to you with regard to the planned Covid-19 vaccination program. We wish…
- Texas high school opens grocery store for students, families — and it accepts good deeds as paymentSANGER, Texas – A high school in Texas has opened a student-run grocery store, providing food and other necessities to students, staff and their families in need…
- Issac Kappy killed by Hollywood elitesIssac Kappy was an actor in Terminator Salvation I believe and posted a video talking about how he’s tired of the Hollywood elites trying to…
