Top Ellen DeGeneres Show producers fired after string of misconduct and sexual assault allegations
Ellen DeGeneres during the IHEART Living Room Concert for America. (FOX/Getty)
In the ongoing saga of the downfall of Ellen DeGeneres, three of her top producers have been fired amid allegations of misconduct and sexual harassment.
The Ellen DeGeneres Show heads Ed Glavin and Kevin Leman and co-executive producer Jonathan Norman were dismissed as WarnerMedia continues its internal investigation of the daytime talk show, a spokesperson confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter.
Many former and current staffers have described a workplace culture of a cowed calm where employees feel unable to air their grievances about senior-level managers who engage in, they say, bullying and discrimination. Some have levelled claims of sexual abuse by supervisors, which DeGeneres “turns a blind eye” to.
Now the latest flashpoint of these claims has seen Glavin, Leman and Norman leave the show, announced in a Monday (17 August) meeting chaired by DeGeneres, 62.
Ellen DeGeneres to have ‘smaller chats’ with staff as WarnerBros leader pledge ‘change’.
During the videoconference, DeGeneres, according to an employee on the call, said that an internal investigation into the show is nearly complete.
Executive producers said that the host “will be making rounds to smaller chats”. They told staffers they are committed to wiping out a “culture of fear”, the employee said, and that they were “shocked” to hear of the allegations that rank-and-file employees were not allowed to engage with DeGeneres.
Show producers also reiterated how to reach a human resources representative, the insider said.
An email to staff obtained by Buzzfeed News showed executive vice president of programming at Warner Bros David McGuire amplify this call for change. He said: “We promised you change and a new culture, and we are absolutely committed to that.
“Many of you have spoken with WarnerMedia’s investigators, and we thank you for your honesty.
“And though the investigation is nearing its conclusion, our willingness to confidentially hear your thoughts is ongoing,
“We heard loud and clear that communication needs to be better, at every level. The EPs are already taking steps to make our communication more frequent and effective.
“I hope this note is another way we are showing our commitment to do better.”
In prior statements to the outlet, Leman emphatically denied “any kind of sexual impropriety”, later echoed by Norman who said he “100 per cent categorically [denied] these allegations”.
Glavin did not respond to requests for comments.
