Ellen's Producers to Staff: 'Don't Be Afraid'

From the sound of things you might think heading to work at "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" is like entering the world of some horror movie. But the surviving producers on her beleaguered show consoled her staff this past Monday with three little words: "Don't be afraid."

In an exclusive report, Variety writes that the show has "implemented several new perks for its weary staff, including increased paid time off and a liberal medical leave policy,following a dramatic address from the daytime host on Monday."

Amongst the new perks "five paid days off to use at their discretion, birthdays off, and paid time for doctors appointments and family matters, one source familiar with the series told Variety." The information was relayed by the show's senior producers Mary Connelly and Andy Lassner at a Monday virtual town hall, "which saw a teary DeGeneres apologize to employees for months of damaging reports and accused on-set toxicity that occurred "on her watch," another insider familiar with her remarks said."

Connelly and Lassner delivered the "don't be afraid" mantra to the staff. "Sources said this applied to communication about workplace issues, circumstances surrounding the pandemic, or even rumors that no one should make eye contact with DeGeneres (which she denied)," Variety reports.

The staffing issues at the show cropped up shortly after the pandemic began. "In April, longtime crew members were told to expect salary reductions, even as the show continued to produce the same amount of episodes in quarantine with the use of non-union workers, Variety reported."

"The Ellen DeGeneres Show" returns in September, while rehearsals have begun for her NBC prime time spin-off "Ellens' Game of Games" have begun.