Ellen Fires Three Producers, Apologizes to Staff for Being 'Impatient'

Ellen DeGeneres announced big changes to her eponymous syndicated talk show -- including the firing of three senior producers -- during an emotional videoconference call to over 220 employees.

The Ellen DeGeneres Show is reeling after two Buzzfeed reports chronicled a toxic work environment. Accusations of sexual misconduct, racially insensitive comments, and bullying and cruelty, including on DeGeneres's part, were leveled at the production.

DeGeneres apologized to her staff for the second time since the reports emerged late last month, sources told outlets including Variety and People. She admitted not being "perfect" and said, "I'm a multilayered person, and I try to be the best person I can be and I try to learn from my mistakes ... I'm hearing that some people felt that I wasn't kind or too short with them, or too impatient. I apologize to anybody if I've hurt your feelings in any way."

DeGeneres denied reports that she refused to allow staffers to look her in the eye, calling the charges "crazy" and "not true."

Executive producers Ed Glavin and Kevin Leman were fired from the show, along with co-executive producer Jonathan Norman. Norman was accused of enticing a male staffer with concert tickets and perks in an effort to "groom" him for sex, Leman was accused of sexual harassment and misconduct by male staffers under him, and Glavin was accused of being handsy and "creepy" with female staffers and ruling with fear and intimidation. Dozens of former and current Ellen staffers spoke to Buzzfeed for the story.

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In her emotional Monday call, DeGeneres committed to a "reset" and promised things are changing for the show's 18th season, which debuts September 14. A third-party investigation did not find a culture of "systemic" racism at the production, according to Variety, but DeGeneres promised more diversity, including workshops on the subject. The host also announced the program's DJ, Stephen "tWitch" Boss, was promoted to co-executive producer.