2020 was an unforgettable year, but not only because it saw the onset of a global pandemic. It was the year that saw the genesis of internet cancel culture, in which social media became the arbiter of often contested "justice" for a swath of influencers, celebrities, politicians, and the like.
None felt the sting of 2020's cancel culture more acutely than comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, who, along with her eponymous talk-variety show, was taken down by the phenomenon when it was revealed that she — known largely for her "Be kind" show sign off — was in fact a very "mean" person and boss. During that year's spring and summer seasons, DeGeneres and her plucky show were hit with numerous reports from ex-employees detailing alleged mistreatment and misconduct, racist behavior, intimidation, sexual misconduct, (which was said to have been committed by her executive producers), pay reduction, and more, leading to an investigation by WarnerMedia.
