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Ellen DeGeneres Announces Final Comedy Special on Netflix
Ellen DeGeneres is preparing for a significant moment in her career, announcing the debut of her “last comedy special.” This special, titled “Ellen Degeneres: For Your Approval,” will air on Netflix, marking her return to the platform after her 2018 special, “Relatable.”
The comedian recently wrapped up her tour, called “Ellen’s Last Stand…Up Tour,” which she began earlier this year. This tour followed her decision to step away from the public eye after a Buzzfeed News report in July 2020 revealed troubling claims from former employees about a workplace culture rife with racism, fear, and intimidation during her talk show.
A press release describes the special as “the final comedy special of her historic career,” emphasizing that Ellen will share personal insights into her life since her exit from the limelight. It hints at a mix of topics, from her experiences raising chickens to her evolution as a brand-name celebrity, while she returns to her stand-up roots to deliver humor about life’s most genuine and absurd moments.
According to reports from outlets like Rolling Stone and People, Ellen said, “We were both just laying low for a while,” referring to her and Portia de Rossi during the period following the negative press.
In her reflections on the fallout from the 2020 Buzzfeed report, Ellen candidly mentioned, “The ‘be kind’ girl wasn’t kind. I became this one-dimensional character who gave stuff away and danced up steps.” Her personal journey continued to unfold as she addressed the end of her talk show, which concluded in May 2022 after a 19-year run.
“I’m making jokes about what happened to me, but it was devastating, really,” she said regarding her feelings about the show’s conclusion. She expressed disappointment, stating, “I just hated the way the show ended. I love that show so much and I just hated that the last time people would see me is that way.”
The tumultuous events surrounding “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” were highlighted in the Buzzfeed report, which pointed fingers at executive producers and senior management for fostering a toxic environment. Former employees voiced their frustrations, claiming they faced retaliation for taking medical leaves or bereavement days, while others spoke out against experiencing racist remarks and microaggressions.
Upon returning to her show after the controversy, Ellen addressed the audience, acknowledging that “things happened here that never should have happened.” With sincerity, she expressed regret, saying, “I take that very seriously, and I want to say I am so sorry to the people who were affected.”
She acknowledged her position of privilege, remarking, “I know that I’m in a position of privilege and power, and I realize that with that comes responsibility, and I take responsibility for what happens at my show.” Following the report, three executive producers were ultimately dismissed.
Fans of Ellen can look forward to the premiere of her final comedy special, scheduled to be released globally on Netflix on September 24.
Source: USA TODAY
