Netflix viewers and critics are expressing their disappointment with Ellen DeGeneres over her new stand-up special, For Your Approval. They describe it as “unapologetic and unrelatable.”
This special is considered her final performance, especially after she faced backlash for allegations about a toxic workplace on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
After the allegations came out, Ellen DeGeneres left her talk show in 2022 and has stayed out of the public eye since then.
In her first big comeback with For Your Approval, Ellen talks about her decline in popularity and claims that she felt “kicked out” of Hollywood for being “mean.”
“And you can’t be mean and work in show business.”
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The former talk show host also suggests that she got pushed out of the industry for being a “strong, direct, impatient, demanding, and tough” woman in a powerful role.
She believes that these traits clash with what society wants from women, while men in similar positions can be straightforward. Ellen’s refusal to apologize in For Your Approval has upset viewers on X.
“I’m still shocked by how bad that new #EllenDeGeneres special was. The jokes were some of the weakest I’ve ever seen on stage. It’s funny that she thinks of herself as a victim.”
One user, @HoundDogBedtime, expressed frustration, saying,
“I’ve never seen someone look both smug and sorry for themselves. It’s such a strange and uncomfortable mix of facial expressions.”
Another user, @Metal_314159, commented
Critic Matt Solomon called Ellen “unapologetic, unrelatable, and totally insufferable” in a review for Cracked.
However, some people defended her stand-up. User @nevereverDave said,
“I really enjoyed her last show with its clever jokes and her amazing ability to pause and express emotions. The audience loved her; there was lots of laughter and even standing ovations. She left on her own terms. Bravo!”
“It was funny and entertaining—much better than many other specials on Netflix. Thank you, @EllenDeGeneres, for putting in the effort to create this. You were amazing!”
Another user, @Star2fireDenise, added,
The first episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show aired in 2003, and she became famous for her cheerful personality and her “be kind” message, often participating in big giveaways and charitable acts.
In 2020, BuzzFeed News shared an article where former employees, who wanted to remain anonymous, claimed that the show had a toxic workplace.
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A few weeks later, Warner Bros announced that it would be making changes to its staff after looking into the claims. Ellen then sent an apology to her staff in a private memo.
“I learned that things happened here that should never have happened. I take that very seriously, and I want to apologize to the people who were affected.”
She later talked about the allegations on her show, saying,
In May 2021, Ellen announced that her talk show would end after 19 years, explaining that it was “just not a challenge anymore.”
The final episode, which aired a year later, included special guests like Jennifer Aniston, Billie Eilish, and Pink.
Source: Cracked