Ellen Degeneres hit headlines earlier this year for reports of a toxic workplace on the set of her TV talk show. She finally returned to screens on September 21. The show began with a long apology by the host, though many current and former employees found it to be disingenuous. As NFL ratings plummet due to plenty of possibilities, including coronavirus and player protests, many had their eyes on how the Ellen Show would do with its return.
Variety reports that the show’s ratings were actually right on par with last year’s numbers. This season’s premiere scored a 1.9 household rating. which is the same number as the 2019 debut.
In fact, some numbers are now slightly higher than in previous years. Variety also notes when analyzing the “key syndication talk show demographic of people aged 25-54,” the show’s rating has risen from 2019’s 0.8 to 0.9. What’s more, Monday’s debut is the “show’s strongest premiere in the demo since the 2016-17 season,” Variety says.
Ellen Apologizes in Opening Monologue
The 2020 premiere began with a 7 minute monologue by Ellen addressing the summer’s allegations. She also posted a clip of the apology to Twitter saying the season opener marked the beginning of “a new chapter.”
Many employees are expressing frustration with the apology which they label “tactical” and “inappropriate.”
Plenty of backlash also fills the comments below Degeneres’s tweet sharing the video. Some were upset with the jokes within the apology, while others defend Ellen for being true to herself.
Others analyze the sincerity of the apology. One user replies people should be more forgiving, saying “she was human like teh rest of us.”
