Ellen DeGeneres is reflecting on the repercussions of her workplace controversy in what she declares will be the final comedy special of her career.
The 66-year-old comedian premiered “Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval” on Netflix, where she candidly states, “I got kicked out of show business because I’m mean. Yeah, you can’t be mean and be in show business.” She notes this incident as the “second time” she experienced such backlash, referring to the challenges she faced after publicly coming out as gay in the 1990s.
She humorously adds, “Eventually, they’re going to kick me out a third time for being old,” characterizing herself as “mean, old and gay,” which she playfully refers to as the “triple crown.”
In 2020, DeGeneres faced allegations that her daytime talk show fostered a toxic workplace environment. Reports indicated that current and former employees described experiences marked by racism, fear, and intimidation. Following these claims, she acknowledged that “things happened here that never should have happened” and expressed apologies to those affected. She ultimately concluded her talk show in 2022.
In her new special, DeGeneres shares that she sought therapy to “deal with all the hatred” surrounding the scandal. She recalls a conversation with her therapist about her feelings of being universally disliked, citing various publications that labeled her negatively.
DeGeneres continues to address the perception that surrounds her, noting that whenever she visits restaurants, patrons appear anxious to see if she will act unfriendly. Reflecting on a headline that labeled her as the “most hated person in America,” she humorously remarks that it was unfortunate there were no awards or trophies for such a title.
She acknowledges her previous commitment to promoting positivity, which made the backlash especially challenging. “Had I ended my show by saying ‘go (expletive) yourselves,’ people would have been pleasantly surprised to find out I’m kind,” she jokes.
DeGeneres discusses the extreme ups and downs of her career in Hollywood, highlighting the contrast between her fans’ affection and her detractors’ loud hatred. She whimsically expresses a longing for her childhood, during which she experienced “good old fashioned neglect.”
Despite the challenges, she fondly remembers her time on the talk show, sharing experiences of being an “immature boss” and noting that since its conclusion, she has been navigating her newfound free time.
As her special draws to a close, the “Finding Nemo” star expresses her happiness in being a “multifaceted” person. She reflects on how the perception of her being mean used to dominate her thoughts but has now shifted. “Caring what people think to a degree is healthy, but not if it affects your mental health,” she states, concluding that she has reached a point where she cannot allow such concerns to rule her life anymore.
Throughout the performance, the audience responds warmly, erupting into applause when she declares being “honest, generous, sensitive and thoughtful, but tough, impatient, and demanding.”
When announcing “For Your Approval,” DeGeneres confirmed it would be her final comedy special, stating, “Yes, I’m going to talk about it,” and affirming her commitment to ending the series on her own terms. She finished the set on a poignant note, expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to say goodbye and promising that it would be a night she would always cherish.