July 30, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Photo by FOX via Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — While WarnerMedia completes an investigation into the accusations, Ellen DeGeneres wrote a letter to her staff regarding abuse allegations some of her self-titled show’s staff vented to Buzzfeed earlier this month. 

The Hollywood Reporter obtained the letter, in which DeGeneres apologizes to her staff.

While several high-ranking producers on the show were named in the complaints, Ellen herself was not. That doesn’t absolve her, she seems to say, since the show bears her name.

“As we’ve grown exponentially, I’ve not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I’d want them done,” she wrote. “Clearly some didn’t. That will now change and I’m committed to ensuring this does not happen again.”

The industry trade notes that heads will likely roll from the accusations of racial comments, bullying, and other elements that led to a toxic work environment for some. Executive producer Ed Glavin is one named by a source at the show, who noted, “Once he’s out, it will be like a new day.”  

Glavin and fellow executive producers Mary Connelly and Andy Lassner, had apologized after the Buzzfeed piece broke, noting in part, “We are truly heartbroken and sorry to learn that even one person in our production family has had a negative experience. It’s not who we are and not who we strive to be, and not the mission Ellen has set for us.”

For her part, DeGeneres’ apology letter to her crew said, “As someone who was judged and nearly lost everything for just being who I am, I truly understand and have deep compassion for those being looked at differently, or treated unfairly, not equal, or – worse – disregarded.”

By Stephen Iervolino
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

July 30, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC/Nicole Wilder(TEXAS) — Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey is now an author. 

In a message to his social media followers, the actor and part-time college professor revealed the book is called Greenlights. 

“Ever since I learned to write, I’ve been keeping a journal, writing down anything that turned me on, turned me off, made me laugh, made me cry, made me question, or kept me up at night,” the actor explained.

“Two years ago, I worked up the courage to take all of those journals off into solitary confinement just to see what the hell I had, and I returned with a book.”

“Yesss,” McConaughey drawls in celebration, holding up a copy.

His opus seems to be part self-help, as well, but if anything, it’s beachy, not preachy. McConaughey notes of Greenlight‘s title, “It’s the story about how I have — and we all can — catch more of them in this life we’re livin’. You see, we don’t like the red and yellow lights because they take up our time, right?” he asks rhetorically.

“But when we realize that they all eventually turn green, that’s when they reveal their rhyme. That’s when life’s a poem and we start getting what we want and what we need at the same time. And I call that the honey hole, a little place called Heaven on earth.”

McConaughey says the book goes on sale October 20, but is available for pre-order now.

By Stephen Iervolino
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

July 30, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Courtesy of HBO(NEW YORK) — U.K. star Paapa Essiedu can finally breathe a sigh of relief now that he knows fans are loving every moment of his new HBO drama series I May Destroy You.

The new series centers on the show’s creator, Michaela Coel, as Arabella, a Twitter star-turned-novelist who discovers she’s been sexually assaulted after a night out with friends. It also follows Essiedu as Kwame, Bella’s best friend who survives his own sexual assault during a one-night encounter.

Essiedu tells ABC Audio that he’s elated people have embraced the show, which brings attention to how men and women are often treated differently when it comes to sexual assault.

“I mean, obviously, it feels amazing, like we never knew what the show was going to even be like, you know,” he says. “It’s not the most conventional show, especially when you’re making it. You’re kind of like, ‘Is this good?’ It’s just like, ‘Does this work, right?’ All of us were like that. [Coel] included.”

With the season now headed towards its end, Essiedu says it’s really been “thrilling to see it all come together.”

“And for that to happen in like, a joyful, but brilliant way,” he adds.

But, even more than the favorable reviews, the actor admits that having fans connect with his character’s story and struggles gives him the most joy.

“It’s… great to see that people are responding to it, because it means that the questions that we’re asking, or the provocations that we’re making with it are really hitting home,” he says. “And… that’s all we could really hope for.” 

I May Destroy You airs Monday nights at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.

By Candice Williams
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.