‘Ellen DeGeneres Show’ producers fired over toxic environment allegations

Three top producers at “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” were fired Monday after the show launched an investigation into claims from former employees of sexual harassment and abuse.

BuzzFeed News reported that Warner Bros.’s head of programming, David McGuire, informed staff of the firings in an email and said that the company was committed to changing the culture behind the scenes at “Ellen.”

“Many of you have spoken with WarnerMedia’s investigators, and we thank you for your honesty. And though the investigation is nearing its conclusion, our willingness to confidentially hear your thoughts is ongoing,” he said, according to BuzzFeed.

“We heard loud and clear that communication needs to be better, at every level. The EPs are already taking steps to make our communication more frequent and effective,” he added. “I hope this note is another way we are showing our commitment to do better.”

Of the three fired executive producers – Ed Glavin, Kevin Leman, and co-executive producer Jonathan Norman – Leman and Norman both denied any kind of sexual misconduct in statements to the news outlet. Glavin could not be reached for comment.

Leman was accused of sexually explicit comments in the workplace by almost a dozen former employees, according to BuzzFeed, while Glavin was accused of inappropriately touching female staffers, openly showering in the office, and employing intimidation tactics against his staff.

Information about the allegations faced by Norman were not immediately available.

DeGeneres apologized to her staffers in late July after news of the investigation into workplace culture at her broke, including reports of racist comments from producers and allegations that former staffers were fired for innocuous acts such as taking medical leave.

“On day one of our show, I told everyone in our first meeting that The Ellen DeGeneres Show would be a place of happiness – no one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect. Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case. And for that, I am sorry. Anyone who knows me knows it’s the opposite of what I believe and what I hoped for our show,” DeGeneres said.