Netflix viewers and critics have piled in on Ellen DeGeneres for her ‘unapologetic and unrelatable’ new stand-up For Your Approval.
The special has been billed as the 66-year-old’s swansong after she got ‘cancelled’ after allegations of a toxic workplace environment on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
After the claims emerged, she stepped down from the chatshow in 2022 and has kept a low public profile ever since.
In her first major return to the spotlight, For Your Approval, Ellen addresses her fall from grace and says she got ‘kicked out’ of Hollywood for being ‘mean’.
‘And you can’t be mean and be in showbusiness,’ she quips.
The former TV chatshow host later implies she was exiled from the industry for being a ‘strong, direct, impatient, demanding and tough’ woman in power.
She argues these qualities go against what society expects from women, while men in equivalent positions are allowed to be forthright.
Ellen’s lack of repentance in For Your Approval has angered viewers on X, with @HoundDogBedtime fuming: ‘Still getting over how s**t that new #EllenDeGeneres special was. The material was some of the weakest ever done on stage. So hilarious she thinks of herself as a victim.
Echoing their sentiment, @Metal_314159 raged: ‘I’ve never seen someone look both smug and sorry for themselves. What an odd and unsettling blending of facial expressions.’
@M3tal_Jess also added: ‘I’ve never felt so uncomfortable listening to clapping before.’
Meanwhile, critic Matt Solomon described Ellen as ‘unapologetic, unrelatable and totally insufferable’ in their review for Cracked.
However, others defended Ellen’s stand-up, with @nevereverDave writing: ‘Really enjoyed her (last) treat of studied behaviour, simple wordplay & her exceptional skill of holding a pause with a fine ripple of expression. Audience adored her; appreciative laughter & standing ovations. Left on her terms. Bravo.’
@CathyRo88071518 said: ‘Say what you want, Ellen is still hilarious, her special on Netflix was great @EllenDeGeneres#foryourapproval.’
The first episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show aired in 2003 and she became known for her bubbly on-screen persona and ‘be kind’ mantra, often taking part in lavish giveaways or acts of charity.
In 2020, BuzzFeed News published an article in which anonymous former employees alleged a toxic workplace on the show.
Weeks later, Warner Bros confirmed it was making staffing changes following an investigation into the claims and Ellen issued an apology to staff in an internal memo.
She later addressed the allegations on her talk show, saying: ‘I learned that things happened here that never should have happened. I take that very seriously and I want to say I am so sorry to the people that were affected.’
In May 2021, Ellen announced her talk show would be ending after 19 years citing it is ‘just not a challenge anymore.’
The final episode which aired a year later, featured guest appearances from Jennifer Aniston, Billie Eilish and Pink.
Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval is available to stream on Netflix.
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