The Ellen DeGeneres Show producer speaks out on ‘rough time’ since allegations

An executive producer on The Ellen DeGeneres Show has spoken about the “rough” time he has had since the allegations about the ‘toxic’ atmosphere behind-the-scenes were exposed.

Andy Lassner has opened up in a video posted to Instagram about the recent weeks in which the behaviour of fellow producers have been under the spotlight.

The 53-year-old had kept a low profile on social media since allegations about behaviour of staff and how Ellen DeGeneres would ‘turn a blind eye’ to some of the worst excesses as well as be difficult to work with herself.

Andy has spoken out less than two weeks after a spokesperson for Warner Bros. shared the news that executive producers Ed Glavin and Kevin Leman and co-executive producer Jonathan Norman had “parted ways” with the talk show.

This came about a month after they announced that an internal investigation had been launched into the show.

In the candid video, Andy told his followers: “Oh, look who it is. If it isn’t Andy Lassner. Well, yes it is. Your eyes do no deceive you.

“I’m back. I’ve been away for a little bit dealing with, you know, some stuff. You may have read about it.”

Andy acknowledged that it had been “a couple of rough months.”

He continued: “But it’s when we go through these things, I guess, that we learn the most about ourselves and maybe even some growth.

“But to tell you it hasn’t been rough would be a lie, and I’ve always been honest with you. So, it’s been rough.”

He announced at the end of the video that he was “back” and that he would be returning to his “slow walking” program that had been seen on the show.

Andy concluded: “Because, I mean, let’s face it, what is life when you’re not slow walking with Andy?”

“Anyways, I love you guys, I miss ya and I’ll talk to you soon.”

Allegations of abuse on The Ellen DeGeneres Show had surfaced in the middle of July after 10 former employees opened up to Buzzfeed News.

They claimed there was a “toxic” work environment on the show and there was reports of aggression and intimidation of staff.

Executive producers were also accused of sexual misconduct in the damaging report which threatened to bring down the career of Ellen DeGeneres.

Following the allegations and the departure of the executive producers, Warner Bros. released a statement at the beginning of August.

It read: “The Ellen DeGeneres Show   is, and has always strived to be, a place that brings positivity to the world.

“And though not all of the allegations were corroborated, we are disappointed that the primary findings of the investigation indicated some deficiencies related to the show’s day-to-day management.

“We have identified several staffing changes, along with appropriate measures to address the issues that have been raised and are taking the first steps to implement them.

“Warner Bros. and Ellen DeGeneres are all committed to ensuring a workplace based on respect and inclusion.

“We are confident this course of action will lead us to the right way forward for the show.”

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at [email protected] or call us direct 0207 29 33033