Three top Ellen producers fired after toxic workplace and sexual misconduct allegations

Variety

The Ellen DeGeneres Show executive producers Ed Glavin and Kevin Leman and co-executive producer Jonathan Norman -- who were all accused of sexual misconduct in a July 30 Buzzfeed story -- were ousted Monday. The firings come after all three were suspended following the story's publication. Variety reports that an emotional Ellen DeGeneres announced the news this afternoon via videoconference call, telling staffers that what she read about the show “broke her heart.” Buzzfeed's July 30 story was published hours after Ellen apologized to her staff in the aftermath of a July 16 Buzzfeed story detailing allegations of a toxic workplace culture behind the scenes of the show. The Ellen DeGeneres Show veterans Mary Connelly, Andy Lassner and Derek Westervelt, who have been with the show since its launch in 2003, will remain as executive producers. Leman told Buzzfeed for its July 30 story that he categorically denied "any kind of sexual impropriety," while Norman also said he is "100% categorically denying these allegations." Buzzfeed reports that during today's videoconference call, Ellen and her fellow executive producers said she will be making the rounds to have "smaller chats" with her employees, with promises to eliminate a "culture of fear" within the show.

ALSO:

• Ellen DeGeneres apologizes again in a new note to her staff: "I’m so so sorry for what this has become," she wrote. "I’ve left this to be a well-oiled machine, and I realize it’s not a machine…its human beings. I apologize for anyone who’s feelings I’ve hurt.  I’m not perfect. I’m multi-layered and I learn from my mistakes. I care about each and every one of you. I’m grateful for each and every one of you."
• The Ellen DeGeneres Show has promoted resident DJ Stephen “tWitch” Boss to co-executive producer: His promotion comes days after he told Us Weekly, regarding the toxic workplace allegations, "obviously there’s some things to address, but from my standpoint and from countless others, there’s been love."