Ellen DeGeneres was slammed by the crew of her daily talk show after it was revealed she hire a non-union crew to continue filming inside her home, as the coronavirus shuts down normal production.
And the host was spotted for the first time since an insider told Variety that her main stage crew received ‘no communication’ about issues like pay and working hours for over a month, on Thursday.
The 62-year-old kept a low profile in a sweat outfit and dark cap as she headed out in Los Angeles on Friday.
Low-profile: Ellen DeGeneres was spotted for the first time, on Friday, since an insider told Variety that her main stage crew received ‘no communication’ about issues like pay and working hours for over a month, on Thursday
The star climbed out of her Porsche convertible wearing light grey sweatpants, and a plain black crew neck sweater.
She teamed it with black leather booties, a dark cap and a gold necklace.
The outing was just days after a source told the outlet that her main stage crew was concerned over pay-cuts, and uncertainty despite her continuing to film.
Simple: The star climbed out of her Porsche convertible wearing light grey sweatpants, and a plain black crew neck sweater
Controversy: The outing was just one day after a source told the outlet that her main stage crew was concerned over pay-cuts, and uncertainty despite her continuing to film
Two sources at Ellen’s show, speaking to Variety under conditions of anonymity, said that ‘higher-ups in production would occasionally answer phone calls but reveal little’ about their status.
Crew members finally heard from production executives last week, when they were told to expect a whopping 60% pay decrease, even while the show continues airing.
Meanwhile, Ellen herself is said to have a $77million per year contract for her talk show. Her total net worth is estimated to be a whopping $330million.
Sources added that there are only four of the core crew members who are currently working on the remote version of Ellen, according to Variety.
Angry crew: Ellen has been continuing her daily syndicated talk show from the comfort of her own home, amid the coronavirus shutdown, which has angered her ‘furious’ crew amid poor communication regarding their pay
A spokesperson for Warner Bros. Television made it clear the crew is still getting paid, though they confirmed their hours are reduced.
‘Our executive producers and Telepictures are committed to taking care of our staff and crew and have made decisions first and foremost with them in mind.’
Still, insiders speaking to the industry publication claim that for over two weeks, from late March until April 9, the crew were never told how much they would be paid.
During this communication ‘blackout,’ Ellen expanded her at-home, going from hosting four shows a week to five, all which were shot over a two-day period at her home.
Pay slash: Crew members finally heard from production executives last week, when they were told to expect a whopping 60% pay decrease, even while the show continues airing
Reduced: A spokesperson for Warner Bros. Television made it clear the crew is still getting paid, though they confirmed their hours are reduced
The show typically films four 10-hour work days per week, but the crew was told on April 10 that they should expect to be paid for just two eight-hour days a week.
At the same time, Ellen hired Key Code Media to produce ‘technical elements’ of the show’s new remote production while her crew members with the same skill set were not working.
A rep for the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees union said they were of the crew would continue to be paid, but crew members were told to ‘watch closely’ for developments.
‘Due to social distancing requirements, technical changes in the way the show is produced had to be made to comply with city ordinances and public health protocols,’ said a WB spokesperson, while clarifying that no Ellen crew member lost their job because of hiring Key Code.
Reduced: The show typically films four 10-hour work days per week, but the crew was told on April 10 that they should expect to be paid for just two eight-hour days a week
Leadership: Crew members also added that what was most upsetting was the, ‘lack of personal outreach’ from the show’s leadership during this unprecedented crisis
Crew members also added that what was most upsetting was the, ‘lack of personal outreach’ from the show’s leadership during this unprecedented crisis, according to Variety.
Conversely, the crew also learned that crew members on similar shows were being paid, and treated, much more fairly.
Jimmy Kimmel has reportedly been paying crew members of his Jimmy Kimmel Live show from his own pocket during the COVID-19 outbreak shutdown, and once they returned on air, ABC was paying their full rates.
Sources claimed that crew members on TNT’s Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and Showtime’s Desus and Mero were also being paid full rates with transparent communication.