‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ under workplace investigation following claims of mistreatment: report
“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” is under investigation by WarnerMedia after numerous reports of everything from allegedly shoddy treatment of legacy crew members during the coronavirus lockdown, to accusations of racism and intimidation, Variety reported Monday.
Telepictures executive vice president Donna Redier Linsk and Warner Bros. Television vice president of human resources Donna Hancock Husband told staffers in a memo last week that “they have engaged WBTV-owner WarnerMedia’s employee relations group and a third party firm, who will interview current and former staffers about their experiences on set,” Variety reported, citing anonymous sources.
Specific articles were cited, including an April report from Variety detailing 60% pay cuts and the lack of official written communication about how the COVID-19 crisis would affect their jobs, among other issues. The syndicated TV talk show also hired a non-union outfit to help produce DeGeneres’ show from home.
“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” airs daily at 4 p.m. Eastern time on NBC.
The memo cited recent articles as the impetus for the investigation. In April, Variety reported on the treatment of legacy crew members during the coronavirus lockdown. In mid-July, BuzzFeed published a report alleging racism and intimidation on the show. The memo came from the desks of Telepictures executive vice president Donna Redier Linsk and WBTV vice president of human resources Donna Hancock Husband.
And earlier this month, former staffers told BuzzFeed News that backstage aggression was the norm, and it featured racist and all-around toxic behavior on the set.
A Warner Bros. Television spokesperson did not comment to Variety’s exclusive report Monday, and neither did a rep for “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”
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