Ellen DeGeneres launches YouTube series to 'reconnect with her audience' after scandal-hit talk show ended
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ellen DeGeneres is starting a YouTube series about her hobbies, months after her talk show ended amidst controversy. Starting on Saturday, 'About Time For Yourself...With Ellen' will show how LGBTQ icon spends her time off camera ever since the 'toxic work environment' controversy lead to the discontinuation of her famous talk show.
In a clip shared by PEOPLE, Ellen can be seen wearing a multi-color sweater as she talks about what people can expect from the short docu-series.
The series will be airing on Ellen's official YouTube channel every Saturday for eight weeks. The eight-episode series will be about DeGeneres spending her time away from the camera as she learns new hobbies like crochet, bird watching, cards, among others.
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According to PEOPLE, the description of her show reads, "After stepping out of the spotlight of her iconic talk show, Ellen is trying something bold and new- being unemployed. In the wake of the Great Resignation, she's reconnecting with her audience who may also have more time on their hands, and if not, could certainly use some. In this new series shot at her home, Ellen shares her own attempts to try new things and make a little me time in her own very Ellen way."
In the promo of the show shared by PEOPLE, she said, "You know, lately I've been taking some time just for myself, away from the cameras. And I've been having such a great time, I thought I would share some of what I've been doing with you. And so I yelled, 'Portia, get the camera,' so I thanked Portia for doing this. Great job, so far."
The Ellen Show Scandal
After a 19-year run, The Ellen Show was continued after multiple reports by staff of sexual harassment, racism, and bullying ultimately naming it as a toxic work environment. One Black staff reported they suffered microaggressions and disrespectful comments. Other employees reported that they were fired for taking a sick leave. Even important and unavoidable circumstances like mental health conditions and family funerals were not taken into account. The production crew was also instructed not to talk to Ellen even if they encountered her during the production.
It was majorly the executive producers who were responsible for the toxicity but people held Ellen accountable for her inability to take responsibility for the treatment her crew members were receiving. "If she wants to have her own show and have her name on the show title, she needs to be more involved to see what's going on," a former employee said, according to Elle Magazine. "I think the executive producers surround her and tell her, 'Things are going great, everybody's happy,' and she just believes that but it's her responsibility to go beyond that," they added.