While Ellen DeGeneres has a lot going for her, from her long-running daytime talk show
to her high net worth, 2020 has been a rough year for the comedian.
She was hit with numerous allegations of fostering a toxic work environment at The Ellen DeGeneres
Show when staffers spoke to BuzzFeed News to dish on what it's really like behind-the-scenes.
That resulted in an avalanche of backlash and even incited other celebs to speak out
against the Finding Nemo star.
DeGeneres issued an apology and even managed to win a People's Choice Award after a year
full of negative headlines.
But her comeback hit a major roadblock on Dec. 10, 2020, when the 62-year-old star announced
on Twitter that she had tested positive for COVID-19.
She wrote,
"Hi Everyone, I want to let you all know that I tested positive for Covid-19.
Fortunately, I'm feeling fine right now.
Anyone who has been in close contact with me has been notified, and I am following all
proper CDC guidelines.
I'll see you all again after the holidays.
Please stay healthy and safe.
Love, Ellen."
Prior to contracting the coronavirus, Ellen DeGeneres came under fire for a controversial
joke she made on the Ellen DeGeneres Show about COVID-19 lockdowns.
Speaking from the studio inside her luxurious home, and joined by her wife, actress Portia
De Rossi, Ellen said,
"One thing that I’ve learned from being in quarantine is that people — this is like
being in jail, is what it is.
It’s mostly because I’ve been wearing the same clothes for 10 days and everyone
in here is gay."
DeGeneres immediately faced widespread backlash online.
One Twitter user said,
"People who have incarcerated loved ones are scared for their health and for their lives.
Your 'joke' about quarantine is not only unfunny it is insensitive.
Please consider that as you compare incarceration to living in your mansion."
Another person said DeGeneres comparing her quarantine to prison time made her, quote,
"sound like a big baby," while another Twitter user wrote,
"If you have THAT MUCH influence and privilege, you need to be thoughtful with your language.
Comparing quarantine (in a mansion) to prison was irresponsible and small-minded, especially
for someone with such a big platform."
DeGeneres rescinded by temporarily taking down the offending video.
It was later reposted, but with the comments about quarantine removed.
Some observers, though, found the comments especially galling considering DeGeneres had
previously come under fire for the way the cast and crew of The Ellen DeGeneres Show
were being treated during the pandemic.
In April 2020, a number of crew members spoke anonymously to Variety, saying that the core
group of more than 30 employees had received no written communication in regard to their
employment status, their hours as the show filmed remotely, or the pay they should expect
to receive.
Additionally, producers apparently didn't even ask how anyone was feeling, physically
or mentally, for over a month, and higher-ups on the show were reportedly hard to get in
touch with, and were not providing any answers to concerned employees.
Amidst the lack of communication, the longtime regular crew of the show was also shocked
by the decision to hire an outside, non-union tech company to tape her show remotely from
her California mansion.
When the crew eventually heard from production, most were reportedly told to expect a 60%
reduction in pay, even though the show was still airing.
Variety reached out to Warner Bros.
Television, which distributes the talk show, about the crew members' claims.
A spokesperson evaded the questions with a statement that read,
"Our executive producers and Telepictures are committed to taking care of our staff
and crew and have made decisions first and foremost with them in mind."
It all seemed a bit ironic for the woman who made "Be Kind" her catchphrase.
"I don't think there's ever a time we're like, okay, we're good, I don't need to say it anymore,
we're all kind."
Staff concerns over COVID may have contributed to the allegations leveled against Degeneres
in July, 2020 that she had created a toxic workplace environment.
Now, though, there are even more concerns — this time about Ellen's health and well
being.
Here's hoping that she recovers quickly, and that 2021 is a better year for her, her staff,
and everyone else in the world too.
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