Ellen DeGeneres Transformed Her Biggest Scandal Into A Humorous Moment
As Ellen DeGeneres stepped onto the stage of the Largo at the Coronet Theater in West Hollywood, she was met with a wave of applause from a sold-out crowd of about 200 fans. It was the first night of her “Ellen’s Last Stand…Up Tour,” marking her return to stand-up comedy after a tumultuous few years. Dressed simply in a black long-sleeved shirt, white pants, and sneakers, DeGeneres wasted no time addressing the elephant in the room.
“I used to say that I didn’t care what other people thought of me and I realized…I said that at the height of my popularity,” DeGeneres quipped, prompting laughter from the audience. “It is such a waste of time to worry about what other people think…Right now I’m hoping you’re thinking, ‘This is marvelous, I’m so happy to be here.’ But you could be thinking, ‘Let’s see how this goes.’”
The last few years have indeed been rough for DeGeneres. In 2020, her public image took a significant hit following a series of reports by BuzzFeed News, where employees of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” alleged racism, sexual misconduct, and intimidation by executive producers. The fallout led to the firing of three top producers and an on-air apology from DeGeneres. While she claimed to have been unaware of the toxic work culture, she acknowledged her position of privilege and power, stating, “I take responsibility for what happens at my show.” Despite the apology, the show and her popularity never fully recovered, leading to its end in May 2022 after 19 seasons.
Since then, DeGeneres has kept a relatively low profile, with the exception of a 2023 Discovery Channel documentary, “Saving the Gorillas: Ellen’s Next Adventure,” and some social media activity. Her new tour represents her first significant return to public life since the controversy. The tour will include more shows at the Largo through June, followed by performances in San Diego, Washington State, Oregon, and the Bay Area. It will culminate in a new Netflix special to be taped this fall.
DeGeneres’ ability to turn her biggest scandal into a humorous moment is a testament to her comedic skills and resilience. She has always been known for her quick wit and ability to find humor in difficult situations, and this tour is no exception. By addressing the controversy head-on and making light of it, she is not only reclaiming her narrative but also reminding her fans why they loved her in the first place.
The audience’s reaction to her jokes about the scandal was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their support and admiration for her ability to bounce back. DeGeneres’ return to stand-up comedy is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, humor can be a powerful tool for healing and moving forward.
As DeGeneres continues her tour, it will be interesting to see how she navigates her return to the spotlight. While the controversy may have tarnished her image, her ability to transform it into a humorous moment shows that she is not ready to be counted out just yet. With her new Netflix special on the horizon, DeGeneres is poised to make a significant comeback and remind the world why she is one of the most beloved comedians of our time.
Source: BuzzFeed News
