While Ellen DeGeneres has apologized to staffers in the wake of allegations that her talk show fosters a toxic environment and that top execs there sexually harassed staffers, many people in Hollywood are taking sides.
In a letter to staffers she largely laid the blame on others, writing that she is “disappointed” that many reported bullying and racist behavior. But behind the scenes, The Daily Mail reports that she’s over it and wants to shut down the show in a bid to save herself. A report in The Sun meanwhile, indicates that NBC will replace her with James Corden if she does quit or get ousted.
The insider says: “She feels she can’t go on and the only way to recover her personal brand from this is to shut down the show,' they said. 'The truth is she knew what was going on, it’s her show. The buck stops with her. She can blame every executive under the sun – but Ellen is ultimately the one to blame.”
Meanwhile some, including Everybody Loves Raymond star Brad Garrett, publicly say she’s not doing enough. He hit up Twitter, writing: “Sorry but it comes from the top @TheEllenShow. Know more than one who were treated horribly by her. Common knowledge.”
Others echoed his observation, writing: “wasn’t even an apology! she shifted the blame entirely and threw her staff under the bus when it was ellen they were complaining about.”
Back to the Future star Lea Thompson backed him, writing in response: “True story. It is.”
Garrett appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show six times between 2004-2007.
But Hollywood manager extraordinaire Scooter Braun wrote: “People love to take shots at people. They love to see people fall. How quickly so many forget. @TheEllenShow is a kind, thoughtful, courageous human being who stands for what is right and highlights on her show the best of us. She has helped change the views for equality…”
BuzzFeed reported Thursday that 36 former staffers spoke out and shared stories of sexual misconduct, including one exec, Kevin Leman, who demanded hand jobs and oral sex, and groped employees.