Ellen DeGeneres, once one of America’s most beloved talk show hosts, has faced a steep fall from grace since allegations of a toxic workplace surfaced in 2019. The revelations, which included claims of mistreatment of her staff and an environment marked by disrespect, led to the cancellation of her long-running talk show in 2022.

Now, as DeGeneres makes a return to the spotlight with a new Netflix special, the public is debating her comeback and the narrative she’s presenting in it. In her latest project, DeGeneres addresses her fall from Hollywood grace, portraying herself as a “victim” of the very industry that once made her a household name. However, critics and comedians, including Rob Schneider, have voiced their skepticism about her attempts at reinvention.

A Difficult Fall from Public Favor

Ellen DeGeneres first became widely known for her groundbreaking decision to come out as a lesbian in 1997 on her sitcom, Ellen, a move that was revolutionary at the time. Her openness and charisma later helped her build a loyal fan base with The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which ran for nearly two decades.

However, that image was upended in 2019 when accusations began to surface about the allegedly harsh conditions for her talk show staff, an environment some described as abusive. The scandal grew when Dakota Johnson publicly challenged Ellen on her own show over a seemingly trivial disagreement about a party invitation, exposing a crack in the polished, friendly persona DeGeneres had curated over the years.

The backlash continued, with former staff members and insiders sharing stories of stringent rules, including being discouraged from making eye contact with Ellen. For many, these stories reframed Ellen as not the “be kind” advocate she presented on TV but rather as someone out of touch with the reality she portrayed. With stories surfacing about the gap between her public persona and behind-the-scenes behavior, the backlash ultimately led to the end of her show.

Rob Schneider’s Perspective on Ellen’s New Image

Comedian Rob Schneider, known for his outspoken views, joined Megan Kelly in a recent interview, sharing his perspective on Ellen’s comeback. Schneider criticized Ellen for “dawning a costume of victimhood” to regain relevance and sympathy from her audience. In his view, the issue wasn’t merely that she had made mistakes—many in Hollywood have faced criticism and then moved forward—but that she seemed to be avoiding accountability. He pointed out that the narrative Ellen has chosen appears to focus less on her actual actions and more on the hardships she endured as a successful woman in Hollywood, despite her vast wealth and success.

Rob Schneider and Kelly discussed how DeGeneres’ Netflix special seems self-indulgent, with Ellen reflecting on the struggles of fame and her journey. For Schneider, this approach underscores what he sees as Hollywood’s “victim-obsessed” culture, where public figures shift blame onto societal structures rather than taking personal accountability. He suggested that DeGeneres could benefit from genuine introspection and public acknowledgment of her past actions rather than presenting herself as a martyr of an unjust industry.

Mixed Reactions from Critics and Audiences

Ellen’s Netflix special has received mixed reviews, with some critics and fans feeling that it misses the mark in addressing the reasons for her fall from public favor. Publications like Variety have referred to her special as “self-indulgent,” noting that her portrayal of Hollywood as a place that “forced her out” feels disconnected from the reality of her past success and privileges. After all, DeGeneres, a multi-millionaire, remains one of the most successful TV personalities in history, and her comeback on Netflix suggests she hasn’t been entirely exiled from the industry.

On social media, some viewers have expressed frustration that DeGeneres seems to be blaming broader societal issues rather than directly addressing the specific allegations of mistreatment that led to her show’s cancellation. Others, however, argue that she is highlighting an authentic struggle faced by many women in Hollywood who experience a double standard in the industry. These supporters feel that her Netflix special allows her to tell her side of the story and demonstrate resilience in the face of intense scrutiny.

Navigating the New Media Landscape

Ellen DeGeneres’ comeback is a case study in how rapidly the media landscape has evolved in the age of social media. Before platforms like Twitter and Instagram became ubiquitous, public figures had more control over their narratives, and it was easier for them to maintain a consistent, carefully curated public image. In today’s digital age, however, rumors and allegations can spread quickly, and a celebrity’s public persona is often scrutinized in real-time by audiences and critics alike.

DeGeneres may not be entirely familiar with the new landscape of cancel culture and instant feedback. As Rob Schneider pointed out, she belongs to a generation of performers who were less exposed to the pervasive and, at times, unforgiving culture of social media, where controversies are often amplified. Younger comedians and entertainers, meanwhile, may have a better grasp on how to handle such moments publicly, with an approach that feels less polished but more authentic and relatable to a digital audience.

The Challenge of Reinvention

The uphill battle Ellen faces reflects broader questions about forgiveness, growth, and public redemption. Can a public figure who once enjoyed near-universal popularity make a genuine comeback after allegations of misconduct? The answer may depend on the degree to which Ellen acknowledges her past and demonstrates tangible change in her behavior moving forward.

Many in the public eye have successfully managed to regain public favor by embracing genuine humility and acknowledging their past mistakes. For Ellen, her audience may need to see evidence of growth and empathy, rather than a portrayal of herself as a victim of circumstances.

Rob Schneider’s critique may resonate with audiences who are tired of seeing wealthy celebrities present themselves as victims, especially when many of these celebrities enjoy privileges and opportunities far beyond the reach of most. But Ellen’s supporters would argue that her story is more complex, reflecting the challenges faced by women and LGBTQ+ individuals in entertainment. Ultimately, the outcome of Ellen’s attempted comeback may hinge on whether she can bridge that divide, appealing both to longtime fans and to a new generation of viewers who are more skeptical and socially conscious than ever before.

In a time when audiences have more access to the lives of public figures, the scrutiny of Ellen DeGeneres is emblematic of the complex relationship between fame and accountability. If she can authentically reconnect with her audience, Ellen may yet reclaim her place in Hollywood. For now, her latest special serves as a reminder of the changing dynamics in the entertainment industry and the challenges of attempting a comeback in the digital age.