Kelly Clarkson Set To Take Over Ellen DeGeneres' Coveted Daytime Slot After Comedian Leaves Following Low Ratings And Allegations Of Bullying And 'Toxic' Workplace Behavior

May 27, 2021

After nearly 18 years on the air, Ellen DeGeneres announced on Wednesday, May 12, that she would be ending her award-winning NBC talk show. In a statement released to The Hollywood Reporter, DeGeneres confirmed that the upcoming season, the show’s 19th, would be its last. TODAY has now confirmed that "The Kelly Clarkson Show," hosted by singer Kelly Clarkson, will be taking over the coveted daytime slot after "The Ellen Show" ends. Clarkson's show has been renewed until 2023. 

Ellen's show cancellation comes after a variety of outlets reported on the show’s toxic workplace culture. The first inklings of the show’s behind-the-scenes toxicity came to light in 2014 when DeGeneres’ bodyguard said that the comedian was unfriendly, according to BuzzFeed News.

Years later, in April 2020, YouTube influencer Nikkie de Jager criticized the television host for her “cold and distant” attitude following a January 2020 appearance on the show. But it wasn’t until July 2020 that BuzzFeed news reported on the show’s toxic workplace culture in a bombshell exposé, which included interviews from 10 former employees and one current worker on the show.

Since then, DeGeneres has had to contend with a barrage of negative press, criticisms of the show and an internal investigation. What makes DeGeneres’ fall from grace particularly surprising, especially for long-time fans of the show, is that the television host was known for her good-natured persona. She would often use the phrase “be kind to one another” as a sort of mantra on the program. "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" was also a TV success story, having won more than 60 Daytime Emmy Awards for its cumulative 3,000 plus episodes on NBC. However, that will all come to an end in the spring of 2022 with the show’s final season.

While the Daily Mail broke the news of the 63-year-old host’s decision to end the show, DeGeneres opened up for the first time in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

“When you’re a creative person, you constantly need to be challenged — and as great as this show is, and as fun as it is, it’s just not a challenge anymore,” DeGeneres said of the show’s departure in a May 12 interview with the publication.

In the exclusive interview, DeGeneres also spoke to the controversy surrounding the show, addressing the internal investigation that WarnerMedia launched in the summer of 2020.

“So, there was an internal investigation, obviously, and we learned some things, but this culture we’re living is (is one where) no one can make mistakes,” DeGeneres told The Hollywood Reporter. 

“And I don’t want to generalize because there are some bad people out there and those people shouldn’t work again, but in general, the culture today is one where you can’t learn and grow, which is, as human beings, what we’re here to do. And I can see people looking at that going, ‘You don’t care about what people (went through).’ I care tremendously. It broke my heart when I learned that people here had anything other than a fantastic experience — that people were hurt in any way.”

With the iconic show soon coming to an end, news has broken that Kelly Clarkson will be taking over the coveted daytime slot with "The Kelly Clarkson Show." Clarkson's show has all the makings of a "success story," according to TODAY.

A press release for "The Kelly Clarkson Show" read, "In her new daytime talk show, Kelly Clarkson uses her gift of connection to bring viewers something new: a fun, energetic show that breaks with tradition. In each episode, audiences will experience an hour full of remarkable stories, celebrity guests, spontaneous surprises, humor, heart and, of course, good music. It's like a weekday brunch party with a fascinating guest list of people who would otherwise never meet."

Clarkson also performs a cover song at the beginning of every episode, and at times, her performances of hit songs have been incredible enough to make the news. TODAY reported that Clarkson's show recently even earned six Daytime Emmy nominations and has been renewed through 2023.

About Clarkson taking over DeGeneres' daytime slot, Valari Staab, NBCUniversal Local president said, "We look forward to Ellen DeGeneres' 19th season paired with Kelly Clarkson for what is sure to be a blockbuster year." She also said that Clarkson will be "the star of our daytime entertainment schedules and an asset to our early afternoon newscasts."

Tracie Wilson, NBCUniversal Syndication Studios executive vice president also chimed in about the upcoming changes for Clarkson's next season, saying "Kelly and our entire production team put their heart, intent and incredible passion into making a show that resonates with people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds. We're working on some big plans for season 3 and are looking forward to becoming the premier show in daytime for years to come."

In the past, DeGeneres and Clarkson have even been part of each others' shows and made good colleagues, according to TODAY. 

What do you think of Kelly Clarkson taking over Ellen's show? Tell us your thoughts, and be sure to let your friends know about the new host to come for the daytime slot.