Ellen DeGeneres has admitted she misses being on television after her own show was axed in 2021 following multiple allegations of workplace bullying. The 68-year-old chat show star, who retired from showbusiness in 2024, opened up about her life away from the spotlight during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show.
Life after the Ellen DeGeneres Show
Speaking to Graham Norton, Ellen admitted she wasn't working and missed the experience of being on TV. She said: “I’ve nothing really going on and I really miss being on tv. I miss a lot about it – laughing with the writers and the audience. I think about doing stuff here.”
Joking that it was "easy" to get on TV in the UK, she added: “I think it is pretty easy to get on tv here – you have a pottery show, you have a sewing show, and you even have a show about people watching tv shows!”
Boundary-breaking career
Ellen shot to fame in her self-titled comedy show, Ellen, which broke boundaries with the first openly gay lead character on a US TV series. Reflecting on the show's reception, she told Graham: "In the US they were not very thrilled about my character or me coming out so for it to be celebrated in London was such an honour. To be treated that way when everyone else was done with me was extraordinary.”
In 2020, 10 former employees of The Ellen DeGeneres Show accused the actress of creating a "toxic" on-set atmosphere of "racism, fear, and intimidation", including failing to address executives sexually harassing female employees.
Apology and aftermath
After Warner Media began an investigation, Ellen apologised to her staff, releasing a statement reading, "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."
Following the investigation, three executives left and the show vowed to take steps to change the culture. Ellen apologised again during the 18th season's September 2020 opening before announcing the end of the programme the following year. The Graham Norton Show airs on BBC One on Friday 16 October at 10.40pm and is also available on BBC iPlayer.
