Advertisement

Ellen DeGeneres Show producer Andy Lassner denies rumours the show is being cancelled

Photo credit: Michael Rozman - Warner Bros.
Photo credit: Michael Rozman - Warner Bros.

From Digital Spy

The Ellen Degeneres Show boss Andy Lassner has shut down rumours that the long-running daytime series is being cancelled.

Last week it was reported that the chat show is facing an internal investigation after a number of staff members complained about the show's "toxic" workplace culture, leaving many viewers speculating about the future of the long-running show.

Shortly after the report, however, executive producer Lassner shut down any rumours that The Ellen DeGeneres Show would stop airing in a reply on his Twitter page.

Photo credit: Michael Rozman - Warner Bros.
Photo credit: Michael Rozman - Warner Bros.

Related: Ellen DeGeneres vows to stop being "dancing lady" in order to "educate" following criticism

"I seriously wish you well," one fan wrote. "If The Ellen Show goes off the air due to all these allegations (I, personally, have stopped watching) I hope you are able to find employment quickly."

In response, Lassner simply replied: "Nobody is going off the air."

Last month, both Variety and Buzzfeed News published quotes from current and former staffers of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, who claimed they had faced racism, sexual harassment and had felt frequently intimidated behind the scenes.

In response to the accusations, Lassner and his fellow EPs Ed Glavin and Mary Connelly took responsibility for the "day-to-day" running of the show, and stated that the show has always "strived to create an open, safe, and inclusive work environment".

Photo credit: @TheEllenShow - YouTube
Photo credit: @TheEllenShow - YouTube

Related: The Ellen DeGeneres Show producers accused of sexual harassment by former employees

"It's not who we are and not who we strive to be, and not the mission Ellen has set for us. For the record, the day-to-day responsibility of The Ellen Show is completely on us," the trio added.

"We take all of this very seriously and we realise, as many in the world are learning, that we need to do better, are committed to do better, and we will do better."

Shortly after Lassner's Twitter comment, Ellen also addressed the "toxic" workplace complaints, and said that steps will be taken to "correct the issues" raised.

"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," she wrote.

"That will now change and I'm committed to ensuring this does not happen again."

Photo credit: Kevin Winter - Getty Images
Photo credit: Kevin Winter - Getty Images

In a statement following their investigation of the show, Warner Bros confirmed that they were making "staffing changes" in response to the allegations (via Deadline).

"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," the statement read.

"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. Warner Bros and Ellen DeGeneres are all committed to ensuring a workplace based on respect and inclusion.

"We are confident this course of action will lead us to the right way forward for the show."


Digital Spy has launched its first-ever digital magazine with exclusive features, interviews, and videos. Access this edition with a 1-month free trial, only on Apple News+.

Interested in Digital Spy's weekly newsletter? Sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox.

You Might Also Like