Yahoo Finance Ellen DeGeneres announces her chat show will end after 19 years following bullying claims
Ellen DeGeneres is ending her long-running chat show
(AFP)Ellen DeGeneres has today confirmed she is ending her long-running American talk show next year, 19 years after it first went on air and months after it was rocked by allegations of bullying.
The 63-year-old chat show host told The Hollywood Reporter (THR): “As great as this show is, and as fun as it is, it’s just not a challenge anymore.”
According to the publication, DeGeneres had been considering the move for several years and informed staff of her decision on May 11.
She will sit down with long-standing friend and fellow talk show host Oprah Winfrey to discuss the news on her own show on Thursday May 13.
Last year DeGeneres, one of the most high-profile figures on US TV, apologised to staff after an internal review by Warner Bros found “deficiencies related to the show’s day-to-day management”.
The review was launched following reports of a toxic work environment on the programme.
The comedian and actress has historically been known for her bubbly on-screen persona and “be kind” mantra, often taking part in lavish giveaways or acts of charity.
Next season will be @TheEllenShow’s last. We talked about the decision to move on, the allegations that nearly torpedoed the show and what’s next for her (you know, in addition to the 247 shows she’s already attached to) https://t.co/Ips9rcnmrS
— LaceyVRose (@laceyvrose) May 12, 2021
Addressing the claims, DeGeneres told THR: “It almost impacted the show. It was very hurtful to me. I mean, very. But if I was quitting the show because of that, I wouldn’t have come back this season.
“So, it’s not why I’m stopping but it was hard because I was sitting at home, it was summer, and I see a story that people have to chew gum before they talk to me and I’m like, ‘Okay, this is hilarious.’
“Then I see another story of some other ridiculous thing and then it just didn’t stop. And I wasn’t working, so I had no platform, and I didn’t want to address it on (Twitter) and I thought if I just don’t address it, it’s going to go away because it was all so stupid.”
The show had received 171 Daytime Emmy Award nominations and has won 61 Daytime Emmy Awards as of 2020.
In December 2020 DeGeneres tested positive for coronavirus but said in a statement she was “feeling fine right now”.
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