Ellen DeGeneres launched her Ellen’s Last Stand … Up Tour on April 24, where she poked fun at her own career downfall following the end of her talk show amid toxic workplace allegations. The 66-year-old comedian joked about being “kicked out of show business” and acknowledged the controversy that engulfed the show in 2020. Despite being known for her parting line “Be kind to one another,” DeGeneres admitted that she wasn’t always kind and became known as a one-dimensional character who gave stuff away and danced on her show.
In 2020, DeGeneres faced accusations of creating a toxic work environment during her 19-season run on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. WarnerMedia conducted an investigation into the allegations, and DeGeneres sent a letter of apology to her staff. While she continued to film throughout 2020, she announced in 2021 that season 19 would be the last, with the final episode airing in May 2022. The fallout over how the show concluded and the stain on her reputation is something DeGeneres hasn’t fully moved on from, as she reflected on her role as a boss who didn’t know how to be a boss.
DeGeneres admitted during her tour that she didn’t have a traditional business background and joked about not knowing how to be in charge despite being the face of the show. She also reflected on her past experiences in Hollywood, including being pushed out after coming out as gay on her sitcom in the 1990s. Despite facing setbacks in her career, DeGeneres continued to entertain her audience by poking fun at the challenges she has encountered in show business.
While DeGeneres had the audience laughing during her set, she also opened up about the heartbreak of losing The Ellen DeGeneres Show and the toll it took on her ego and self-esteem. She acknowledged the extremes in the entertainment industry, where people either love or hate you, with the haters often being the loudest voices. DeGeneres shared her struggles and the impact the controversy had on her, highlighting the emotional toll it took on her when the show ended in a way she hated.
During an encore, DeGeneres took questions from the audience and shared more about her journey back into the spotlight after the talk show drama. She revealed that despite making jokes about the situation, it was devastating for her, especially because she loved the show so much. The Ellen’s Last Stand … Up Tour is set to continue throughout July along the West Coast, with dates in Washington, Oregon, and California. Ellen DeGeneres has shown resilience in the face of adversity, using humor to navigate the challenges she has faced in her career.
