Ellen DeGeneres' show's investigation could result in 'apocalyptic ending to her TV career,' brand expert says
There have been a number of complaints about an alleged 'toxic work environment'
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"The Ellen DeGeneres Show" is currently under internal investigation by its parent company WarnerMedia after a number of "toxic work environment" allegations have gone public.
In a report from Buzzfeed News, one current and 10 former staff members claimed to be victims of bullying and racism.
Citing sources, Variety revealed that a memo was sent to the show's staffers last week announcing that WarnerMedia's employee relations group has teamed with a third-party organization to conduct the interviews.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}'ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW' UNDER INTERNAL INVESTIGATION AFTER WORKPLACE COMPLAINTS: REPORT
Eric Schiffer, chairman of Reputation Management Consultants, weighed in on how the results of the investigations could have "deadly consequences for Ellen" and her brand.
"She could be perpetrating one of the biggest frauds in American celebrity history," he suggested. "There are now serious investigators looking into the allegations and if the findings are as damning as what has been reported then you could watch the 'Ellen Show' go boom."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Ellen DeGeneres (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Schiffer wasn't surprised when news of an investigation broke because "there have been too many assertions that are credible," he alleged, adding that "if the leadership team at WarnerMedia didn't [act], they would feel the wrath of the public."
The brand and PR expert also reacted to DeGeneres' silence on the matter.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I think Ellen has been arrogant in her entire approach in dealing with the allegations and it's crazy for her not to accept responsibility for what is happening under her leadership," he said. "In Hollywood, the buck stops at the star's name on the door, not at the producer level. It would be impossible for her to not know what [was] happening within her own staff."
Ellen DeGeneres on the set of 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show.' The show is currently under internal investigation. (NBC)
Meanwhile, the allegations of a "toxic work environment" were addressed by the show's executive producers Ed Glavin, Andy Lassner, and Mary Connelly in a statement to Buzzfeed at the time of the outlet's report.
ELLEN DEGENERES' BRAND 'BLEEDING OUT IN GUSHES' AMID NEW RACISM, TOXIC WORKPLACE CLAIMS: EXPERT
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"We are truly heartbroken and sorry to learn that even one person in our production family has had a negative experience," they said. "It’s not who we are and not who we strive to be, and not the mission Ellen has set for us."
The statement explained that the "day to day responsibility of the... show is completely on" the producers.
Ellen DeGeneres (R) with guest Jennifer Garner (L). (NBC)
"We take all of this very seriously and we realize, as many in the world are learning, that we need to do better, are committed to do better, and we will do better," they said.
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Schiffer believes DeGeneres faces "a dangerous period in her career at a critical time in the American experience." Any findings that reveal a toxic workplace "would be an apocalyptic ending to her TV career," he added.
Fox News' Nate Day contributed to this report.