The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print
operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a
leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
Staff on The Ellen DeGeneres Show are reportedly fretting over the show's future. Rumours abound about the show's future after allegations have been made about the production being a toxic work environment with accusations of sexual misconduct. Employees on the popular series are fearing the show's cancellation or that Ellen herself, 62, will quit the show, bringing about its end.
Read Also: The Ellen DeGeneres Show 'under internal investigation after workplace problems'
A source told US Weekly: "Staffers are texting and calling each other freaking out as they fear Ellen [DeGeneres] will quit or that the show will be cancelled. "The show feels done. It's going to be very hard to turn this around." The fears come after reports that Ellen is considering walking away from the show for good. A Telepictures insider told the Daily Mail: "She feels she can’t go on and the only way to recover her personal brand from this is to shut down the show." They added that the "truth is that she knew what was going on".
The same audience insider claimed that she "hates coming to work" and has "utter contempt for her audience". The scandal began after a Buzzfeed article published last month alleged that there was a "toxic work culture" behind the scenes of the show, with employees facing "racism, fear and intimidation" on set. After the allegations surfaced, executive producers Andy Lassner and Mary Connelly responded with a joint statement.
They said: "We are truly heartbroken and sorry to learn that even one person in our production family has had a negative experience. It’s not who we are and not who we strive to be, and not the mission Ellen has set for us. "For the record, the day to day responsibility of the Ellen show is completely on us. We take all of this very seriously and we realize, as many in the world are learning, that we need to do better, are committed to do better, and we will do better."
Read Also: Ellen DeGeneres TV show to make workplace changes after probe of culture
A further report on July 30 from Buzzfeed went on to allege sexual misconduct behind the scenes of the production. Warner Bros. has launched an internal investigation into the claims made about the show, telling the publication that they "hoped to determine the validity and extent of publicly reported allegations and to understand the full breadth of the show’s day-to-day culture."
In a memo obtained by Us on July 30, Ellen apologised to her employees on the show. Ellen is said to have written: "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."
