Brad Garrett claims Ellen DeGeneres was 'horrible' to staff, host's terrible behavior was 'common knowledge'
Brad Garrett has called out Ellen DeGeneres over her alleged mistreatment of employees. Following reports from former staff members of The Ellen DeGeneres Show describing the workplace environment as "toxic," the 62-year-old daytime talk show host issued an apology in a lengthy memo. While the show is undergoing an internal investigation by Warner Media, DeGeneres said she is "glad the issues at our show were brought to my attention" and that steps were being taken to "correct" them, People reported.
"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," DeGeneres began.
While the comedienne grabbed headlines over her apology, Everybody Loves Raymond star Garrett, 60, alleged on Twitter that DeGeneres bears sole responsibility for the workplace culture on her show. "Sorry but it comes from the top @TheEllenShow," he wrote, tagging her in the post. "Know more than one who were treated horribly by her. Common knowledge."
Garrett appeared as a guest on DeGeneres' talk show at least six times between 2004 and 2007. However, he did not detail any specific allegations against her.
DeGeneres, in her message to employees, claimed responsibility for the behavior of her production team and promised to improve the day-to-day environment.
"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," she wrote. "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," she wrote.
The veteran talk show host said some of her colleagues have been misrepresenting her.
"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," DeGeneres continued. "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 anyone of you felt that way is awful to me."
She then went on to say she was "glad" the issues were brought to her attention and promised to do her "part" in resolving them.
"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," the comedian added.
