Comedian Adam Carolla has reignited controversy over Ellen DeGeneres’ workplace reputation, alleging she “has always been a mean person” and that her staff lived in fear of her.

Carolla’s Comments

Speaking on the After Party with Emily Jashinsky podcast, Carolla reflected on his 2012 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which ended in 2022 amid allegations of workplace abuse and a sharp drop in viewership. “The show itself, not the on-air show, but behind the scenes, they all take on the personality of their leader,” Carolla said. “When you go into a business and everyone’s sort of mean and crappy, it’s because the owner’s that way.”

Carolla contrasted Ellen’s show with others he’s appeared on, such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Jimmy Kimmel Live!, describing those sets as “laid-back” and friendly. In contrast, he recalled Ellen’s staff as “scared, real scared.”

Behind-the-Scenes Restrictions

Carolla recounted being repeatedly warned by a segment producer not to mention meat or beef during his appearance. “You got two warnings,” Carolla remembered thinking, concluding that “this guy’s scared to death.”

Later, Carolla said he spoke to a former Ellen writer — bound by an NDA — who described her as “the worst person I’ve ever met.”

Ellen’s Show and Controversy

Ellen DeGeneres ended her long-running talk show in May 2022 after multiple reports alleged a toxic workplace environment, leading to the loss of over one million viewers in a single season. While she addressed the allegations on-air, the claims have continued to cast a shadow over her legacy.

Carolla’s remarks add fresh fuel to ongoing debates about the authenticity of Ellen’s famously cheerful public persona and the culture behind the scenes of her once-beloved show.