Advertisement

'Ellen' producer says 'nobody is going off the air' amid allegations of toxic work environment

An executive producer for "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" is denying rumors that the long-running daytime talk show may end following accusations of a toxic work environment.

Andy Lassner, a longtime producer for "Ellen" and many of DeGeneres' other TV projects, tweeted Thursday that "nobody is going off the air," in response to a user wondering if the show would end over the controversy.

USA TODAY has reached out to a representative for the show for comment.

Lassner also joked that day about feeling hopeful that 2020 would "turn around and start getting better," only for the year to decide instead to "make (my) bed the epicenter."

Earlier that day, DeGeneres apologized in a letter to staffers as an internal review of worker complaints conducted by parent company WarnerMedia came to a close. The Hollywood Reporter first reported on DeGeneres' letter Thursday.

The review, which followed a July 16 BuzzFeed report in which mostly former employees anonymously alleged racism, intimidation and a toxic work culture, found "deficiencies" that will result in staffing changes, Warner Bros. said.

DeGeneres addressed the complaints in her letter, which was obtained by USA TODAY.

"On day one of our show, I told everyone in our first meeting that 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' would be a place of happiness – no one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect," she wrote. "Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case. And for that, I am sorry. Anyone who knows me knows it’s the opposite of what I believe and what I hoped for our show."

Warner Bros. issued a statement to USA TODAY regarding the investigation, in which dozens of current and former employees were interviewed.

“ 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' is, and has always strived to be, a place that brings positivity to the world. And though not all of the allegations were corroborated, we are disappointed that 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, and are taking the first steps to implement them," the statement said.

Brad Garrett criticizes Ellen DeGeneres apology: He claims others 'were treated horribly' by her

DeGeneres and the studio are "committed to ensuring a workplace based on respect and inclusion," the statement noted. "We are confident this course of action will lead us to the right way forward for the show.”

In her letter, DeGeneres acknowledged her responsibility to the show that bears her name and promised to provide more personal oversight.

"As we’ve grown exponentially, I’ve not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I’d want them done. Clearly some didn’t. That will now change and I’m committed to ensuring this does not happen again," she wrote.

The Hollywood Reporter said one of three executive producers, Ed Glavin, was the source of many complaints and would be exiting soon. Warner Bros. declined comment.

DeGeneres appeared to dispute some statements from those working on the show, while alluding to her own experiences as a trailblazing entertainer in empathizing with those who feel they were treated unfairly.

"I’m also learning that people who work with me and for me are speaking on my behalf and misrepresenting who I am and that has to stop," she wrote. "As someone who was judged and nearly lost everything for just being who I am, I truly understand and have deep compassion for those being looked at differently, or treated unfairly, not equal, or – worse – disregarded. To think that any one of you felt that way is awful to me."

Gabrielle Union calls out Terry Crews: She says he didn't show solidarity in 'AGT' battle, he apologizes

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ellen DeGeneres' talk show not ending amid controversy, producer says