'We need you': Alec Baldwin urges Ellen to 'keep moving forward' after toxic workplace scandal
Alec Baldwin urged Ellen DeGeneres to "keep moving forward" during the longtime TV host's first week back on air following a summer of scandal over allegations "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" was a toxic workplace.
"You just keep moving forward, because it's not the same without you," Baldwin said, speaking remotely from his home in a clip from Wednesday's episode while DeGeneres appeared from her studio. "You're funny. We need you, we need you, we need you. Keep log rolling as best you can, OK?"
"I'm going to do it. I'm going to stay on the log," DeGeneres replied, miming an attempt at keeping her balance.
On Monday, DeGeneres returned to her show for the first time since the controversy. She apologized to those affected, promised the show had made "necessary changes" and vowed "Ellen" was still a "place of happiness and joy."
"I learned that things happened here that never should have happened," she said in her opening monologue. "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 realize that with that comes responsibility, and I take responsibility for what happens at my show."
'Starting a new chapter': Ellen DeGeneres addresses toxic workplace allegations in first episode back
Baldwin was also joined by wife Hilaria, who held the family's newest addition, Eduardo Pau Lucas Baldwin. Two weeks ago, the Baldwins welcomed baby Eduardo, their fifth child. Hilaria previously shared with her Instagram followers that her husband decided it was necessary to stop on the way to the hospital to get something for himself to eat. The actor had a different recollection.
"I have photographic proof," she argued. "I was taking photos, so it's really hard for you to not agree with this. In his defense, it was my idea, because the last two babies that I had, I didn't invite him while I was in labor until I got my epidural, because he drives me crazy."
She explained that coronavirus precautions made the process more complicated this time around, and her husband had to come with her. "I'm like, you need to eat something because later on I'm going to kill you if you don't eat something, because I'm not going to be able to handle you."
The couple have welcomed five children in the past seven years: Carmen, 7, Rafael, 5, Leonardo, 3, and Romeo, 2, plus baby Eduardo.
"One of the silver linings of COVID – one of the interesting byproducts of this is that (the kids) have each other," Alec Baldwin noted. "We're not seeing too many of our friends, the kids aren't going to school and we've seen some people periodically since March, but what's interesting is to watch how close they've all gotten, because they only have each other in the house. It's been really a beautiful thing to watch develop."
The actor, who portrays President Donald Trump on "Saturday Night Live," also gave a nod to Jim Carrey, who "SNL" creator Lorne Michaels said will be playing Vice President Joe Biden ahead of the 2020 election.
"I think it's a great coup for the show, because Jim is very, very funny," he said, adding that he was told he and the cast are "going to be in the studio four or five shows in a row, starting at the end of September. So we'll see what happens."
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ellen DeGeneres: Alec Baldwin tells TV host to 'keep moving forward'
