Ellen DeGeneres: Three producers fired after internal investigation

Three producers of The Ellen DeGeneres Show have been fired amid claims of a ‘toxic workplace’ and sexual misconduct allegations.

A spokesperson for Warner Brothers confirmed the show has “parted ways” with executive producers Ed Glavin and Kevin Leman, and co-executive producer Jonathan Norman, Variety reports.

The Ellen Show was under investigation after a number of staff and former workers on the daytime talk show spoke out anonymously to Buzzfeed, slamming the reported mistreatment they experienced during their time at the show.

Then dozens more men and women who also worked on the show came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment against a number of the show's senior staff members.

Ellen shared the news with her staff in a video conference call on Monday describing the recent allegations as “heartbreaking”, a source told the publication.

At this stage Ellen herself, as well as long-running executive producers Mary Connelly, Andy Lassner and Derek Westervelt, will continue in their positions on the show, with the start date for the 18th season currently set for September 14.

The initial report that sparked the internal investigation saw allegations made by current and former employees including claims of being fired after taking medical leave or bereavement days, facing microaggressions, and a culture of bullying and favouritism by executive producers.

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At the time executive producers Ed Glavin, Mary Connelly and Andy Lassner said in a statement: “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.”

Ellen herself then addressed the show’s ‘culture’ in a leaked letter to staff.

In it, the 30-time Emmy winner said she takes “responsibility” as the program bears her name, adding that changes will be made.

Just hours later the show was hit with further allegations of sexual misconduct.

Speaking with Buzzfeed News, ex-employee alleged that at a company party in 2013, head writer and executive producer Kevin Leman sexually propositioned him.

The publication reported that nearly a dozen former employees said it was common for Mr Leman to make "sexually explicit comments" at work.

In their interviews, Buzzfeed News spoke to 36 former employees who independently corroborated the claims of harassment, sexual misconduct and assault from top producers.

At the time Warner Bros released a statement, saying 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.”

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