Talkshow host DeGeneres eats humble pie

Ellen DeGeneres, pictured, on Monday opened the 18th season of her talk show that’s been mired in controversy for months with a broad apology that addressed allegations of a toxic workplace culture under her watch.

It was the first time the staple of daytime US television publicly addressed the controversy surrounding her, after BuzzFeed News published a report detailing a culture of fear among her employees that included accusations of sexual misconduct, racism and intimidation from the show’s management.

This followed rumours and anecdotal posts on social media that DeGeneres was difficult to work with – and not nearly as nice as her feel-good show portrayed her to be.

“I want to say I am so sorry to the people who were affected. I know that I’m in a position of privilege and power and I realised that with that comes responsibility, and I take responsibility for what happens at my show,” DeGeneres said in her opening monologue, released online ahead of its broadcast later on Monday.

DeGeneres said her programme was kicking off a “new chapter” after “necessary changes” following an internal investigation from parent company Warner Media. In August three high-level producers were let go.

She also joked that she was in a tough position given her reputation as the “be kind” lady, a nickname she said she earned after she urged kindness following the 2010 suicide of a young man who was bullied for being gay.

“The truth is I am that person that you see on TV,” she continued, denying allegations that offstage her personality was a far cry from her sunny persona on stage. –