“It is not about her at all,” the source said. “Ellen” veterans Mary Connelly, Andy Lassner and Derek Westervelt will remain at the show as executive producers alongside host DeGeneres. They blamed executive producers and other senior managers for allowing the alleged behavior. ", His comments come after his predecessor, DJ Tony Okungbowa, took to Instagram last week to say he did "feel the toxicity of the environment," in his nearly ten years at "Ellen.". A former DJ from "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" spoke out on troubling allegations about the show's workplace, saying he felt the "toxicity of the environment" when he worked there. Actor Tony Okungbowa, who was a DJ on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" for several years, spoke out reports that the show was a hostile work environment. "She always has - and always will - stand against bullying of any kind. In an Instagram post Tuesday, DJ and actor Tony Okungbowa said he was receiving calls to comment about recent reports that the hit daytime show was a hostile place to work. As Variety exclusively reported, DeGeneres also announced that a trio of top producers who had been accused of sexual misconduct were fired. Anyone who knows me knows it’s the opposite of what I believe and what I hoped for our show.". Joe Laurinaitis, aka WWE Wrestler Road Warrior Animal, Dies at 60, 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' Ousts Three Top Producers (EXCLUSIVE), 'Ellen DeGeneres Show's' DJ Tony Okungbowa Says He Felt 'Toxicity' on Set, Ellen DeGeneres Sends Emotional Apology to Staff; EP Ed Glavin Expected to Depart, The Best Amazon Prime Movies to Watch Right Now, Best Horror Movies to Watch on Netflix Right Now. The promotion will give the emcee more influence in both programming and the working culture, one insider added. And one of the funniest.". And one of the funniest. She’s one of the kindest, most generous people you’ll ever meet. Updated 1638 GMT (0038 HKT) August 12, 2020. "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. DJ and actor Tony Okungbowa addressed recent reports that the daytime talk show has a toxic workplace culture in an Instagram post Tuesday. Executive producers Ed Glavin and Kevin Leman and co-executive producer Jonathan Norman were all ousted following damning allegations raised in recent reports by Buzzfeed and Variety. "I was on air talent from 2003-2006 and from 2007-2013," Okungbowa wrote alongside a photo of himself in the show's DJ booth. Trending stories,celebrity news and all the best of TODAY. While I am grateful for the opportunity it afforded me, I did experience and feel the toxicity of the environment and I stand with my former colleagues in their quest to create a healthier and more inclusive workplace as the show moves forward.
He left in 2013 and was replaced by Stephen “tWitch” Boss, who is still in the role. Her brother, Vance DeGeneres, posted messages in support of his sister on Twitter and Facebook on Tuesday. She’s one of the kindest, most generous people you’ll ever meet. DeGeneres said Boss had already been helpful in that measure. The investigation came on the heels of BuzzFeed News article published earlier this month in which former employees claimed they endured a culture of racism, fear and intimidation while working for the show. Watch TODAY All Day! On the Monday call, DeGeneres said the reports left her heartbroken. “Obviously there’s some things to address, but from my … Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. I have been getting calls asking me about the Ellen Degeneres Show and I would like to address the time I spent there," Okungbowa captioned the post. A post shared by Tony okungbowa (@tokungbowa) on Aug 4, 2020 at 9:53am PDT, Stephen "tWitch" Boss spoke to Us Weekly about his experience at "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." DeGeneres said she and her team "are taking steps, together, to correct the issues.". "While I am grateful for the opportunity it afforded me, I did experience and feel the toxicity of the environment and I stand with my former colleagues in their quest to create a healthier and more inclusive workplace as the show moves forward," he wrote. The host expressed a desire to “come back strong” in the forthcoming 18th season of her syndicated franchise, a Warner Bros. TV institution, with a renewed commitment to diversity. (Photo by: Mike Rozman/Warner Brothers/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images), "We can't speak too much legally about it, but I'll say this, there's been love," Boss told the publication. I’ll just leave it at that until there’s a time where we can address more publicly.”. Standing by his boss. Get the best news, information and inspiration from TODAY, all day long. Maura Hohman is a weekend editor for TODAY.com. She has been and continues to be a bright light in a dark world. I have been getting calls asking me about the Ellen Degeneres Show and I would like to address the time I spent there.
I was on air talent from 2003-2006 and from 2007 -2013. Representatives for DeGeneres and the “Ellen” show did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment about Okungbowa’s Instagram post.