Comedian Adam Carolla is adding his voice to the chorus of criticism against Ellen DeGeneres, recalling a tense visit to her talk show 15 years ago. During a recent podcast appearance, Carolla described the backstage atmosphere as deeply fearful, claiming the host’s staff was visibly terrified of her. His story adds another layer to the long-standing allegations of a toxic work environment that have plagued the former daytime TV queen.
A Nervous Producer and Strict Rules
Speaking on the “After Party with Emily Jashinsky” podcast, Carolla detailed a strange interaction that occurred just before he went on air. He said a segment producer approached him, not once but twice, to make sure he would not discuss eating meat with DeGeneres, who was a prominent vegan at the time.
The producer’s anxiety was palpable. “I was like, ‘Oh, this guy’s scared to death. This guy’s scared,’” Carolla remembered. The repeated warnings about a seemingly minor topic left a lasting impression on the comedian.
He contrasted this rigid and tense environment with his more relaxed experiences on other late-night programs. Carolla mentioned that the backstage vibe at shows hosted by Jay Leno and Jimmy Kimmel was always welcoming and easygoing, making the fear at the Ellen show stand out even more.
Staff Were ‘Cowering’ Behind the Scenes
Carolla made it clear that his negative impression didn’t come from any direct interaction with DeGeneres herself. As a guest, he was treated professionally. Instead, he observed the behavior of her employees to gauge the workplace culture.
“I would know it from how her staff was cowering,” he stated bluntly. He argued that the true measure of a person’s kindness isn’t how they treat their guests, but how they treat the people who work for them.
He described the atmosphere as one of “real scared” people, comparing it to the tense but different environment he witnessed around David Letterman’s staff. According to Carolla, the fear among the crew was the most telling sign of what was happening behind the “be kind” facade.
An Insider’s Scathing Assessment
To support his claims, Carolla shared a conversation he had with a comedy writer who had worked for both Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O’Donnell. While Carolla did not name the writer due to a non-disclosure agreement, he relayed the individual’s shocking assessment of DeGeneres.
When asked about his experience working with Ellen, the writer allegedly said, “Worst person — not worst person I’ve worked for, worst person I’ve ever met.”
Carolla emphasized the gravity of this statement, noting that this writer had experience with many powerful and demanding personalities in Hollywood. This secondhand account reinforces the narrative that DeGeneres’ on-camera persona was vastly different from her off-camera behavior.
Connecting to a Pattern of Allegations
Carolla’s story is not an isolated incident. It aligns with numerous allegations that surfaced in 2020, painting a picture of a toxic and difficult work environment at The Ellen DeGeneres Show. These claims ultimately led to the show’s conclusion in 2022 after a 19-season run.
A timeline of the controversy shows a consistent pattern of negative reports:
- 2020: A BuzzFeed News exposé detailed accounts from former employees alleging a culture of fear, racism, and intimidation behind the scenes.
- 2021: DeGeneres announced her show would be ending, stating she needed a “new challenge.”
- 2024: In her Netflix stand-up special, For Your Approval, DeGeneres addressed the backlash, admitting it “consumed” her before declaring she no longer cares what people think.
Despite her attempts to move on, stories like Carolla’s continue to surface, keeping the controversy alive and further complicating the legacy of the once-beloved talk show host. Representatives for DeGeneres did not respond to requests for comment on Carolla’s latest remarks.
