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- Ellen DeGeneres addressed allegations that her talk show had a toxic work environment on "Today."
- She said she doesn't understand the accusations, calling them "orchestrated" and "coordinated."
- DeGeneres went on to say that "every guest" on her show told her it was a "happy place."
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Ellen DeGeneres discussed toxic workplace allegations on Thursday's episode of "Today," her first interview after announcing that her eponymous NBC talk show will end after its 19th season airs in 2022.
"I really didn't understand it. I still don't understand it. It was too orchestrated. It was too coordinated," she told "Today" cohost Savannah Guthrie.
She continued, "People get picked on, but for four months straight for me. For me to read in the press about a toxic work environment when all I've ever heard from every guest that comes on the show is what a happy atmosphere this is and what a happy place it is."
-TODAY (@TODAYshow) May 13, 2021
DeGeneres told Guthrie that she wasn't aware of the issues on set until she read current and former staffers' accusations in media reports.
"I don't know how I could have known when there's 255 employees here and there are a lot of different buildings. Unless I literally stayed here until the last person goes home at night," she said.
Because she has been the star of the show for 18 years, DeGeneres said she felt a responsibility to address the allegations.
The comedian continued, "I do wish somebody would have come to me and said, 'Hey something is going on that you should know about.'"
This is a developing story...