After more than 3,000 episodes, Ellen DeGeneres‘ daytime talk show is coming to an end.
The host revealed on Wednesday that the afternoon TV mainstay’s upcoming 19th season will be the last. The decision was made by DeGeneres and was apparently many years in the making; she told her staff on May 11, and will sit down with Oprah Winfrey to discuss it on her May 13 show.
Related: Twitter DRAGS Ellen For Revealing She Drove Under The Influence
In her statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Ellen shared:
“When you’re a creative person, you constantly need to be challenged – and as great as this show is, and as fun as it is, it’s just not a challenge anymore.”
Hours before the big reveal, a source close to the gameshow host told DailyMail.com that DeGeneres was squashing the popular show because she “has had enough and told her team that she’s done.”
This, of course, comes after a year plagued with toxic work environment allegations, an internal investigation via WarnerMedia, the firing of many head staff (executive producers Ed Glavin, Kevin Leman, and co-executive producer Jonathan Norman), and rumors that the former sitcom star is truly a mean boss.
The source went on to reveal more BTS details about Ellen’s exit:
“She’s promised one more season after this one and will exit at the end of the 2021/2022 season – the 19th season of the show. The ratings have tanked and have been truly appalling this year and Ellen knows her time is up. The show has bled viewers since the toxic environment around Ellen and her show was made public.”
ICYMI, Portia de Rossi‘s wife finally addressed unfit workplace conditions in July with a letter to her staff. After months of exposés and rumors swirling, the following memo was released:
“Hey everybody – it’s Ellen. 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. 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.
I could not have the success I’ve had without all of your contributions. My name is on the show and everything we do and I take responsibility for that. Alongside Warner Bros, we immediately began an internal investigation and we are taking steps, together, to correct the issues. 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.
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. 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.
It’s been way too long, but we’re finally having conversations about fairness and justice. We all have to be more mindful about the way our words and actions affect others, and I’m glad the issues at our show were brought to my attention. I promise to do my part in continuing to push myself and everyone around me to learn and grow. It’s important to me and to Warner Bros. that everyone who has something to say can speak up and feels safe doing so.
I am so proud of the work we do and the fun and joy we all help put out in the world. I want everyone at home to love our show and I want everyone who makes it to love working on it. Again, I’m so sorry to anyone who didn’t have that experience. If not for COVID, I’d have done this in person, and I can’t wait to be back on our stage and see you all then.
Stay safe and healthy.
Love, Ellen”
So there you have it, folks. One final season to watch The Ellen Show. At least we still have Kelly Clarkson, Drew Barrymore, Wendy Williams, and others to fill voids!
Are you shocked by this news?! SOUND OFF in the comments (below) with thoughts!
[Image via Warner Bros/Ellen Show YouTube]
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