Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has faced accusations of perpetuating a "toxic" workplace on-set of her eponymous television show.
As a result, ratings for her show plummeted, as more and more of the show's former employees and guests spoke out about Ellen and several of the show's producers.
However, when the Ellen Degeneres Show returned for its 18th season on Monday (September 21), it marked its biggest season premiere since 2016.
Per The New York Post, the show posted an overnight Nielsen household rating of 1.9, which was in line with the overall ratings for the autumn 2019 premiere. However, it ranked number one in a lucrative ad demo: adults aged 25 to 54, with a 0.9 rating - an increase from last year’s 0.8.
The publication also notes that the show topped all talk shows in what's arguably the most coveted ad demo: Female viewers ages 18 to 34, earning a 0.6, and nailing ages 18 to 49 with a 0.8.
The 62-year-old kicked off the 18th season of her eponymous talk show by finally addressing the allegations of a "toxic workplace".
DeGeneres addressed the claims and apologized to her colleagues both past and present for incidents that "never should have happened".
Watch Ellen's emotional opening monologue below:She kicked off by joking: "If you’re watching because you love me, thank you. If you’re watching because you don’t love me, welcome.
"How was everybody’s summer, good? Mine was great. Super terrific."
After breaking the tension, the presenter then directly addressed the "toxic work environment" allegations, saying:
"I learned that things happened here that never should have happened.
"I take that very seriously and I want to say that I am so sorry to the people who were affected.
"I know that I’m in a position of privilege and power and I realize with that power comes responsibility and I take responsibility for what happens at my show."
DeGeneres then revealed the staff at the show have "had a lot of conversations over the last few weeks about the show, our workplace, and what we want for the future.
"We have made the necessary changes and today we are starting a new chapter."
Those in the studio along with the "virtual" audience then began to applaud and cheer.
Peppering quips throughout the monologue, DeGeneres then addressed what it is like to be known as the "Be Kind" lady, explaining that as well as being everything viewers see on the show, she is also "a lot of other things."
"Sometimes I get sad. I get mad. I get anxious. I get frustrated. I get impatient," she explained, adding that she is a "work-in-progress".
She added:
"This is me and my intention is always to be the best person I can be. And if I’ve ever let someone down, if I’ve hurt their feelings, I’m so sorry for that.
"If that’s ever the case, I’ve let myself down. Because I always try to grow as a person, I look at everything that comes into my life as an opportunity to learn."
DeGeneres concluded the monologue by saying that she is the boss of 270 people she is "grateful" for, and that she is determined to make season 18 the best season the show has ever had.
However, Buzzfeed News has reportedly spoken to several former employees of the show who have said that they are not happy with the talk show host's address
The publication states that one former employee said: "Not only did Ellen turn my trauma, turn our traumas, into a joke, she somehow managed to make this about her."
And another added: "There’s nothing wrong with being the 'be kind lady' if you’re actually true to your word."
As a result of the on-going investigation into the show, senior staff members Ed Glavin, Kevin Leman, and Jonathan Norman have all been let go from their positions, Yahoo News has reported.