Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · August 28, 2025 · Entertainment

Ellen DeGeneres Exposed: The 'C-Word' Behind the Laughter

DeGeneres - seen here n a video shared by a local pub near her new home  England -admitted last month that despite the bevy of claims surrounding her show, she misses hosting. She said she would take up the job again if the opportunity arose in the UK

The Dark Side of Ellen DeGeneres: Former Writer Spills the Tea on Her Toxic Behavior

In a shocking exposé, former writer Greg Fitzsimmons has come forward with explosive allegations about the alleged mean-spirited behavior of beloved daytime talk show host Ellen DeGeneres. According to Fitzsimmons, who worked on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" from 2003 to 2012, DeGeneres was a tyrannical control freak who ruled her studio with an iron fist.

Fitzsimmons, a seasoned writer and comedian who has also worked on shows like "Politically Incorrect w/ Bill Maher," "Lucky Louie," and "The Chelsea Handler Show," claimed that DeGeneres would often become enraged when things didn't go according to plan. In one particularly cringe-worthy incident, Fitzsimmons told the live studio audience to wave whenever he said the word "banana" during his set, unaware that DeGeneres had also mentioned the fruit in her script.

Fitzsimmons - the recipient of four Daytime Emmys for his time on the Ellen Show - is seen here with David Spade. He remembered how DeGeneres, 67, offered him a role as a warmup guy comic during the show's first season in 2003

The result was chaos, with the audience waving at DeGeneres instead of Fitzsimmons as intended. According to Fitzsimmons, DeGeneres was left seething, and things only escalated when the same thing happened a second time. "She was f**king seething," Fitzsimmons recalled, adding that he thought for sure he was getting fired on the spot.

But despite his fears, Fitzsimmons somehow managed to keep his job – at least initially. However, as DeGeneres's success continued to soar, her behavior allegedly became increasingly erratic and controlling. Fitzsimmons claimed that she would often play pranks on staff members, leaving them feeling belittled and intimidated.

"It was a game of 'in or out,'" Fitzsimmons explained. "You either played by the rules and were part of the inner circle, or you were pushed to the fringes and left to fend for yourself." He also revealed that many younger writers were particularly vulnerable to DeGeneres's wrath, often breaking down in tears after encounters with their demanding boss.

Fitzsimmons wasn't the only one who has come forward with allegations about DeGeneres's toxic behavior. A former staffer recently shared similar stories of fear and intimidation, claiming that employees would often be treated like children by the beloved host. Even comedian Jimmy Kimmel, a longtime friend of DeGeneres, admitted on his podcast last month that staff members were "scared, real scared" during their guest appearances on her show.

As for Fitzsimmons, he has since moved on to other projects, including a successful podcast and radio show. When asked about any potential repercussions from speaking out against DeGeneres, Fitzsimmons chuckled, saying, "I think she's out of the country right now. I don't really care."

DeGeneres, who recently made headlines for admitting that she misses hosting her own show, has yet to respond to the allegations. However, in a recent interview with BBC, she expressed some reservations about the future of daytime talk shows, citing the changing viewing habits of audiences and the increasing dominance of social media.

TheScholarlyNote.com reached out to DeGeneres's representatives for comment but did not receive a response. As one of America's most beloved celebrities continues to navigate controversy, fans can't help but wonder: what really went on behind closed doors at "The Ellen DeGeneres Show"?