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Warner Bros addresses "unacceptable behaviour" on Ellen DeGeneres Show

Photo credit: @TheEllenShow - YouTube
Photo credit: @TheEllenShow - YouTube

From Digital Spy

Allegations of "toxic" working conditions on The Ellen DeGeneres Show have been addressed by Warner Bros.

The US chatshow has come under fire from former staff members this summer, who claim there had been racism, misogyny, microaggressions and unfair dismissal present on the production.

Obtained by BuzzFeed News, WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar is said to have written in an email to staff this week: "I am both concerned and disappointed by public reports regarding patterns of unacceptable behaviour that have been raised in recent weeks."

Photo credit: @TheEllenShow - YouTube
Photo credit: @TheEllenShow - YouTube

Related: Ellen DeGeneres says she will address toxic workplace allegations on show's return this month

Warner Bros CEO Ann Sarnoff reportedly went on to confirm in another message that she'd "empowered, and will hold accountable, the Studios and Networks HR and Legal teams to act on any issues that are brought to them. These groups are a safe harbour where you can register any concerns."

Last month, a different Warner Bros spokesperson revealed that one particular complaint dated back to 2018.

"It was investigated by an outside investigator and resolved with no merit to claims of gender discrimination," they shared. "As previously stated, we are committed to changing the things that need to change and moving forward in a constructive and positive way."

Photo credit: CBS
Photo credit: CBS

Related: Ellen DeGeneres addresses complaints of toxic workplace on talkshow

Following this recent controversy, three of The Ellen DeGeneres Show's producers have been relieved of their duties. The host herself noted in a video conference that Ed Glavin, Kevin Leman and Jonathan Norman wouldn't be returning.

Norman released a statement "100% categorically denying these allegations", adding "I have never had a single complaint against me in my career... I have never done anything to harm another staff member. Ever."

Leman also said: "I have always aimed to treat everyone on the staff with kindness, inclusivity and respect. In my whole time on the show, to my knowledge, I've never had a single HR or inter-personal complaint made about me."

Glavin did not comment on the allegations.


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