Ever since her toxic workplace scandal last year, Ellen DeGeneres‘ talk show has reportedly taken a significant hit in the ratings.
The Ellen DeGeneres Show has lost more than one million viewers since September when she opened her new season with an apology over accusations of a toxic work environment, The New York Times reported on Monday. She has reportedly averaged 1.5 million viewers over the last six months, down from 2.6 million during that stretch a year before.
The comedian offered an on-air apology at the start of her 18th season in September, after a report from BuzzFeed News described alleged “racism, fear, and intimidation” at the show, and another BuzzFeed story said that “sexual harassment and misconduct by top executive producers run rampant” there.
“I learned that things happened here that never should have happened,” DeGeneres said in September. “I take that very seriously, and I want to say I am so sorry to the people who were affected.”
DeGeneres' ratings actually were initially up at the start of the season, but the show has since experienced a 43 percent decline in viewership, according to the report. A Telepictures executive pointed to the fact that “broadcast is down across the board and Covid has been challenging for production.”
But the Times notes that other similar shows have been down less than DeGeneres'. For example, Dr. Phil‘s viewership is only down about 22 percent. Now, the Times' report also points out, DeGeneres is “uncomfortably close” in terms of viewership to the show hosted by Steve Wilkos, former Jerry Springer security guard — raising questions about whether she'll continue hosting after her contract ends next year.
