Ellen DeGeneres addresses workplace allegations in 'Ellen' monologue: 'I take that very seriously'

Ellen is back for Season 18, but not without significant shakeups in the wake of toxic workplace allegations over the summer. Host Ellen DeGeneres addressed the allegations directly as promised in her first monologue of the season, in front of a virtual audience.

"I learned that things happened here that never should have happened," DeGeneres said without further elaboration. "I take that very seriously and I wanna say I am so sorry to the people who were affected. I know that I am 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."

In July, Buzzfeed News reported on former employees' negative experiences at Ellen, including intimidation tactics, racism, and other factors that detrimentally affected employees' mental health. DeGeneres issued a response, implicating executive producers Ed Glavin, Kevin Leman, and Jonathan Norman and weeks later Glavin was accused of sexual misconduct and harassment.

Within weeks, those three executive producers were fired as part of an ongoing investigation into the show's workplace culture. In the Season 18 monologue, DeGeneres announces the promotion of tWitch from DJ to EP (a meteoric rise), and a hope to continue her show's legacy in the public eye of being a source of hope and lightness.