ELLEN DEGENERES responded to the accusations of a “toxic workplace environment” on the 18th season premiere of her show yesterday, and she admitted that “things happened . . . that never should have.”

She added, quote, "I take that very seriously and I want to say I’m so sorry to the people that were affected.  I know that I’m in a position of privilege and power, and I realize that with that comes responsibility.

“I take responsibility for what happens at my show.  This is ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ and I am Ellen DeGeneres.”

She said that they’ve made the necessary changes behind the scenes, and that things will be different going forward.  She didn’t elaborate, but the show did part ways with three top producers last month.

Ellen’s DJ-slash-sidekick TWITCH has been promoted to co-executive producer.

Ellen also addressed the personal attacks, where people said she’s not the nice person she “pretends” to be on TV.

She said, quote, "The truth is:  I am that person you see on TV.  I’m also a lot of other things.  Sometimes I get sad, I get mad, I get anxious, I get frustrated, I get impatient, and I am working on all of that.  I am a work in progress.

“And I am especially working on the impatience thing . . . and it’s not going well because it’s not happening fast enough.”  That’s a joke.  In fact, there were jokes scattered throughout the “apology,” but she did seem sincere.

(Here’s video.)

Cox Media Group