Ellen DeGeneres’ Ex Ann Heche Has a Few Things to Say About the Ongoing ‘Ellen Show’ Scandal

Ellen DeGeneres has been making headlines over the past several weeks after producers of The Ellen DeGeneres Show were accused of sexual misconduct and harassment. In a cover story interview with Mr. Warburton magazine, Anne Heche, who dated DeGeneres in the ’90s, commented on the scandal surrounding the show.

Producers on the show were accused of harassment

In July 2020, Buzzfeed published a report after speaking with former employees of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. In the report, the former employees accused executive producers Kevin Leman and Ed Glavin and co-executive producer Jonathan Norman of sexual misconduct and harassment.

Some of those interviewed suggested that DeGeneres knew of the misconduct but did nothing to stop it.

“‘For someone who’s so involved in the show and the creative aspect, and having been in those meetings with her, it’s very hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that she doesn’t hear the same whispers,’ one former employee who worked closely with DeGeneres said. ‘Unless she really is just in this bubble,'” Buzzfeed reported.

Other former employees told Buzzfeed they did not think DeGeneres was aware of the workplace harassment.

“‘Everyone acted really differently around her,’ one former employee said. ‘There’s a show that’s happening behind the show, the show that the executive producers have us all put on for her when she comes to the offices,'” reads the report.

What Anne Heche said about Ellen DeGeneres

In her interview with Mr. Warburton magazine, Heche looked back on her relationship with DeGeneres fondly.

“Our time was a beautiful part of my life and one that I wear with honor,” she said of their relationship.

She also commented on the current scandal surrounding The Ellen Degeneres Show.

“I haven’t spoken to Ellen in years,” she said. “I’d listen to the people who have… If I’m standing someplace and I don’t like what’s going on there and I stay there, it’s my fault. So what are the actions that got me there and why can’t I get out of it easily if that’s not something that I want to be engaged in? Ellen is standing where she walks, and that is hers to continue that journey.”

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The future of ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’

Following the accusations, Variety reported that a virtual town hall was held on Aug. 17. During the town hall, DeGeneres apologized to employees for the poor communication and “on-set toxicity that occurred ‘on her watch.'” She also announced that Glavin, Norman, and Leman were fired.

The show “implemented several new perks for its weary staff, including increased paid time off and a liberal medical leave policy.” Variety’s report also says “Staffers will receive five paid days off to use at their discretion, birthdays off, and paid time for doctors appointments and family matters… The news was delivered by ‘Ellen’ senior producers Mary Connelly and Andy Lassner.”

According to Variety, “Insiders said the new perks and a direct address from DeGeneres have improved morale this week” and employees are grateful that DeGeneres took the time to address them.

“‘It was important to know what and how much she knew,’ said a source of the workplace culture. ‘Because many of us really believe in her.'”