FORMER ELLEN EMPLOYEE SPEAKS UP_ Ellen Show DJ Tony Okungbowa has opened up about his experience on the long-running program. In an Instagram post Okungbowa said that he did “experience and feel the toxicity of the environment” during his time on the show. Okungbowa says, “While I am grateful for the opportunity it afforded me, I did experience and feel the toxicity of the environment and I stand with my former colleagues in their quest to create a healthier and more inclusive workplace as the show moves forward.” Okungbowa now stars in the CBS sitcom Bob Hearts Abishola.
… In July, the show’s staffers laid out a series of accusations in a Buzzfeed report. Responding to the accusations, DeGeneres said in a memo that she felt sorry for whatever was going on.
ELLEN DEGENERES’ BROTHER SLAMS ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HER_ Ellen DeGeneres’ older brother, Vance, has slammed critics of his sister on Facebook. He wrote: “Ok, I need to say something. My sister is being viciously attacked. And let me assure you — it is all [b.s.]” Vance, former Daily Show correspondent, added: “I put up a simple statement yesterday that said ‘I stand by Ellen.’ Only a handful of my Facebook ‘friends’ responded to it. If you don’t support Ellen, then you don’t support me, so please unfriend me. I’m sick and tired of my sister being attacked. She always has — and always will — stand against bullying of any kind. She’s a smart, strong woman who has made a positive difference in the world. And to my friends who did respond with support for Ellen and my family, thank you so much. It means a lot.”
ELLEN REPORTEDLY WANTS OUT OF HER SHOW_ The tabloid Us Weekly claims Ellen feels betrayed by staff coming forward about their experiences, and is considering stepping down from her long-running talk show. The magazine’s source says that Ellen “wants out of the show,” feels like a “target” because of her success, and is mad that people have come forward to “share these negative stories about her and feels betrayed.”