The Shocking Truth: 5 Reasons Why The Ellen DeGeneres Show Was Canceled And What She’s Doing Now

Contents

The cancellation of The Ellen DeGeneres Show remains one of the most abrupt and high-profile endings in modern daytime television history. For 19 seasons, Ellen DeGeneres reigned as the queen of feel-good TV, famous for her signature "be kind" motto and dance moves, but her tenure came to a definitive close on May 26, 2022, following a dramatic and highly publicized scandal.

As of late December 2025, the conversation around the show's demise is still fresh, especially with DeGeneres's recent return to the spotlight and her move away from Hollywood. This deep dive explores the core reasons behind the show's cancellation, the fallout from the toxic workplace allegations, and what the comedian, actress, and talk show host is doing now, including her latest projects and personal life with wife Portia de Rossi.

Ellen DeGeneres: Complete Biography Profile

Ellen DeGeneres is an American comedian, television host, actress, writer, and producer whose career spans five decades. Her professional journey is marked by groundbreaking moments, including her self-titled sitcom Ellen in the 1990s and her award-winning daytime talk show. She is also a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, having publicly come out in 1997.

  • Full Name: Ellen Lee DeGeneres
  • Born: January 26, 1958
  • Birth Place: Metairie, Louisiana, U.S.
  • Spouse: Portia de Rossi (m. 2008)
  • Primary Occupation: Comedian, Television Host, Actress
  • Career Start: Stand-up comedy in the early 1980s
  • Talk Show Run: The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003–2022)
  • Estimated Net Worth (2025): Approximately $500 million
  • Major Milestone: First openly lesbian actress to star as an openly lesbian character on television (Ellen, 1997)

The 5 Critical Factors That Led to the Show’s Cancellation

The decision to end The Ellen DeGeneres Show after 19 seasons was officially framed as Ellen's choice, stating she needed a new creative challenge. However, the true narrative is far more complex, dominated by a series of events that severely damaged her public image and the show's viability. The cancellation announcement in 2021 came nearly a year after the controversy peaked.

1. The Toxic Workplace Allegations and Public Backlash

The single most significant factor was the "toxic workplace" scandal that exploded in the summer of 2020. Multiple former and current staffers came forward with allegations of a hostile work environment, including claims of racial insensitivity, intimidation, and poor communication. The irony of the allegations—a show promoted with the mantra "be kind" being accused of cruelty—created a massive public relations crisis.

2. The Warner Bros. Internal Investigation

Following the initial reports, Warner Bros. Television launched an internal investigation into the production company, Telepictures. A third-party firm was brought in to interview current and former employees about the working conditions. This investigation confirmed a culture of fear and led to immediate changes.

The fallout was swift and public: three top executive producers—Ed Glavin, Kevin Leman, and Jonathan Norman—"parted ways" with the show in August 2020. DeGeneres herself addressed the allegations on-air, offering a televised apology to her staff and viewers, but the damage was already done.

3. A Dramatic Collapse in Ratings and Viewership

The negative press translated directly into a significant ratings decline. The Ellen DeGeneres Show, once a pillar of daytime TV, experienced a steep drop in viewership in the months following the controversy. Reports indicated the show lost over a million viewers, with some estimates showing a decline of more than 43 percent. This financial and audience erosion made the show's continuation unsustainable long-term, despite its legacy.

4. Ellen's Personal Desire for a New Creative Outlet

While the scandal was the catalyst, DeGeneres maintained that she was ready to move on. She had signed a three-year contract extension in 2018, and by the time the deal was set to expire, she felt it was the right time to end the program. She told The Hollywood Reporter that the show no longer offered her the "creative challenge" she desired, a sentiment she had reportedly shared with her wife, Portia de Rossi, years prior.

5. The Conclusion of a 19-Season Era

The show concluded with its 19th season. The final episode, which aired on May 26, 2022, was a star-studded affair, featuring guests who represented her long history on the show, including Jennifer Aniston, Pink, and Billie Eilish. The finale served as a farewell to the audience and a closing of a major chapter in daytime television history.

Ellen DeGeneres’s New Life and Projects in 2025

Following the final bow of the talk show, Ellen DeGeneres stepped out of the constant Hollywood spotlight. Her new chapter has focused on a return to her roots and a significant change in her personal environment.

The Return to Stand-Up Comedy

DeGeneres has made a decisive return to stand-up comedy, the career that first launched her to fame. Her first major project since the show ended was her final stand-up special, titled Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval, which premiered globally on Netflix on September 24, 2024. The special directly addressed the "hurtful" end of her talk show and the public scrutiny she faced, marking her first major public commentary on the scandal years later.

A New Home in the Cotswolds

In a major life change, DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, have reportedly left their long-time California life behind. The couple, known for their passion for real estate and home renovation, are said to have relocated to the Cotswolds region of England in late 2024. The move signals a desire for a quieter, more private life away from the intense media scrutiny of Los Angeles.

Future TV Possibilities

Despite the cancellation, DeGeneres has indicated that she is not done with television entirely. She has expressed an interest in hosting a talk show in the UK, suggesting that the format, while familiar, could offer a fresh start and a different kind of audience connection. This openness to a new television venture demonstrates her enduring desire to perform and connect with the public, albeit on her own terms and in a new setting.

ellen degeneres show canceled
ellen degeneres show canceled

Detail Author:

  • Name : Felton Thiel
  • Username : fglover
  • Email : gia24@yahoo.com
  • Birthdate : 1978-08-09
  • Address : 62588 Fisher Circle Apt. 522 North Demarco, MI 62970
  • Phone : +1 (435) 667-3371
  • Company : Hermiston-Nikolaus
  • Job : Information Systems Manager
  • Bio : Et vel ex quod voluptatem est excepturi. Sunt soluta qui temporibus. Voluptas explicabo vitae et. Dolore architecto consequatur cupiditate corporis earum sint a ex.

Socials

tiktok:

  • url : https://tiktok.com/@estell_xx
  • username : estell_xx
  • bio : Debitis non ut eveniet. Ut quo incidunt eum nemo.
  • followers : 3336
  • following : 1285

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/estell.white
  • username : estell.white
  • bio : Tempore itaque sit qui. Consequatur et debitis id ipsa rerum. Nihil dolores dolorem est delectus.
  • followers : 1528
  • following : 1650

facebook:

linkedin: