Diane Keaton insists Ellen DeGeneres set ‘exudes happiness and gratitude’ while missing the blatantly obvious
Diane Keaton (L) defended the increasingly embattled daytime talk show host Ellen DeGeneres. (Getty)
Diane Keaton became the latest high-profile figure to come out in support of The Ellen DeGeneres Show as it is pelted with accusations of bullying and racism.
The Annie Hall star, who once defended disgraced director Woody Allen amid sexual assault allegations, took to Instagram to share her thoughts on the simmering scandal.
Keaton uploaded a photograph of her on The Ellen DeGeneres Show from May 2018, when she appeared on the program to discuss her then-upcoming movie, Book Club.
In an all-capital letter caption, she wrote: “I ALWAYS ENJOYED MY VISITS TO THE ELLEN SHOW.
“I’VE SEEN HOW THE AUDIENCE EXUDES HAPPINESS AND GRATITUDE. SHE GIVES BACK TO SO MANY INCLUDING ME.”
Followers were quick to criticise Keaton, pointing out: “Being an employee is a lot different than being a celeb guest though.”
“Such a biased and blinded statement,” added one follower. “It’s disappointing, really.”
Celebrities close ranks around Ellen DeGeneres.
Keaton is the latest celebrity guest of Ellen’s to come to the defence of both the show and its host.
Both Katy Perry and Kevin Hart chimed in with messages of support to the embattled television personality, auctioning off declarations of how “positive” and “respectful” she is.
“I know I can’t speak for anyone else’s experience besides my own but I want to acknowledge that I have only ever had positive takeaways from my time with Ellen,” Perry wrote.
The singer weathered intense criticism for her statement, with many pointing out the obvious: that a celebrity would no doubt have a different experience to the less powerful staffers who have lodged complaints.
Similar sentiments were levelled at Hart, who said that DeGeneres treated him, his team and family “with love and respect from day one”.
The comic is no stranger to an online firestorm. He was forced to drop out of hosting the 2019 Oscars after homophobic tweets resurfaced. DeGeneres encouraged him to reconsider his decision when he appeared on her show in 2019.
The unfolding saga has challenged DeGeneres’ decades-long reputation as a pleasant presenter, while the show itself is undergoing an internal investigation.
Several former and current employees have levelled seething complaints against the show and its senior managers, alleging a culture of racism, bullying and rampant sexual misconduct.
