Ellen DeGeneres addresses a virtual studio audience as the show returns for its 18th season. The Ellen DeGeneres Show returned for its 18th season to a virtual studio audience on the Warner Brothers Studio lot in Burbank, Calif., Monday.
The show’s return marked the first time since allegations of a toxic work environment on the show were disclosed earlier this year in Buzzfeed News magazine and in a series of Twitter threads by former staffers.
DeGeneres opened the show joking; “If you’re watching because you love me, thank you. If you’re watching because you don’t love me, welcome.” She then deadpanned that she had a “great summer – super terrific.” Immediately addressing the issues that had plagued her as well as show executives