![An Ellen DeGeneres lookalike needed therapy after the Queen of Mean unexpectedly used an audition reel on her talk show.](https://filmdaily.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ellen-lede-1-1536x1084.jpg)
An Ellen DeGeneres doppelgänger needed therapy after mean remarks
Dwight Schrute on The Office said it best when Jim Halpert imitated him on an episode of the show: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so I thank you.” Someone didn’t pass the memo to Ellen DeGeneres, because she snapped like Schrute a mere two seconds later when he exclaimed, “Identity theft is not a joke, Jim!”
In a 2018 episode of DeGeneres’s talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the host played a clip of Dawn Lutrell impersonating her. DeGeneres claimed she found the clip while “searching how to remove red wine stains from a People’s Choice award”, but it was far from a random find.
Lutrell’s contentious impersonation
Lutrell used the impersonation in an audition, and her agent shared the clip with an Ellen DeGeneres Show producer. Neither Lutrell nor her agent knew the impression would make it on the show. It wasn’t until someone called Lutrell during the episode that she realized. Her experience was on par with DeGeneres’s recent “Ellen is mean” controversy.
Ellen DeGeneres tore the impersonation to shreds, reluctantly admitting to the similarity in the look: sweater over a button-down collared shirt and a jacket. Then DeGeneres expressed her displeasure with the age of the impression, as it used the outdated “ka-ka” catchphrase.
Lutrell found the whole incident “mean-spirited” and called DeGeneres a “bully.” In an interview with The Telegraph, Lutrell explained how she even went to therapy to deal with the stress resulting from DeGeneres’s comments.
“Ellen is mean” controversy
A month into The Ellen DeGeneres Show’s eighteenth season, Lutrell’s incident just adds more flame to the fire of the “Ellen is mean” controversy. In March, Kevin T. Porter started a Twitter thread looking for stories detailing DeGeneres’s meanness. Then in July, BuzzFeed released an article describing The Ellen DeGeneres Show’s toxic work culture, including interviews with current & former employees.
Allegations ranged from racist conversations with The Ellen DeGeneres Show’s top staff to sexual assault. Employees even claimed they were told never to look Ellen in the eye or speak to her. DeGeneres denies these claims, adding after the fact: “Please talk to me. Look me in the eye.”
BuzzFeed’s exposé was the nail in the coffin for many, but Ellen DeGeneres still enjoys the support of a horde of adoring fans. Many expected the show to dip in ratings, but The Ellen DeGeneres Show stayed the course. The season 18 premiere held steady, reaching 2.4 million households – same as S17. It also grew by .1 in the 25-54 age demographic. However, it wasn’t the no. 1 show in the time slot, losing out to The View.
Even “mean” to guests
Ellen has a reputation for being mean to guests on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. In an interview with Dakota Johnson, DeGeneres inaccurately accused the actress of failing to invite her to her birthday party. The interview was pretty awkward – especially when Johnson called out Ellen’s lie.
Backstage on The Ellen DeGeneres Show isn’t a fun place either, apparently. YouTube star Nikkie de Jager thought her interview was devalued compared to other guests like The Jones Brothers – the closest bathroom to her dressing room was reserved for members of the band.
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Ellen DeGeneres just can’t catch a break in 2020. What do you think of her latest scandal? Tell us what you think in the comments.
Kristen Spring
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I think that far too many negative comments have been and are being made abiut Ellen. While honesty is always important I feel that sometimes especially during this pandemic many people are unhappy and experiencing difficulties and hardships in their lives and are nit always aware of the impact on how we then relate to others and the world in general. It is easy to judge others and especially when someone perceives they other person is well to do and seemingly not having as difficult of a time as they might be. If Ellen complains she is judged much more harshly because others see her as someone who shouldn’t omllain because they may be struggling in ways they presume Ellen never does. It is easier to judge negatively someone we see as happy and not struggling.
No one is perfect and I suspect Ellen does the best she can to do the right thing and treat others kindly. Maybe some don’t understand her sense of humour or her desire to run her show as she does. No one is perfect and it is easy to judge….Remember it definitely wasn’t easy to “come out “ and find acceptance in the world and especially in media. Let it go already…I think Ellen is doing the best she can and I think it is time to stop all the criticism. Thank you Ellen for being who you are.
Kristen Spring
Kingston Ontario Canada
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October 21, 2020Tim Schmidt
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I can’t speak as to how Ellen and the show treated its employees, but I will say her comedy style has always been to be a little snarky and sarcastic. That is her shtick. So cut her some slack with guests that she has on. I don’t find it to be bullying, but rather her comedy style. People weren’t outraged by Don Rickles or Joan Rivers; they were much more harsh, but that was their deal. People are so frigging sensitive these days. Don’t go on her show if you don’t like her brand.
October 21, 2020Mary Ann Aldridge
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Really? So who is perfect? Frankly, I don’t get it. Does her crew hate her so much they want the show, and their jobs ended? Stories about Ellen seem just Mean Gurl to me. Ellen, fire your entire staff and start over with Portia as your Ed McMann. Call it, Nobodies Perfect, then go on making people laugh. Move on.
October 21, 2020Betty Kirchner
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Ellen thinks she can promote herself by hurting others. Personally I think her show and others like it to be cancelled.
October 21, 2020Michele Lein
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I have no preconceived opinions about Ellen Degeneres or her show, I only know what I have read. That said, aside from what went on backstage at the Ellen show, about which I can’t comment because obviously I wasn’t there, I think a lot of people are blowing her “meaness” to guests on camera out of proportion. Take the Dakota Johnson incident. I really don’t see how that can be described as ‘mean’. I think Ellen truly didn’t know she had been invited, and was just bringing it up in her own comical way. I think she believes she’s being funny/critical, her own brand of humor with guests. The Mariah Cary incident did show Ellen going way too far, but again, I dont think she intended any real meaness or harm. I think she gets immersed in her own type of comedy and doesn’t perceive she could cause harm with it. Especially as she’s never been pregnant and has stated unequivocally that she does not want kids, it makes her impervious to thoughts of what could happen in that particular situation. She is in a bubble of her own making, having been so adored and having an image of people believing she can do no wrong, that she believes it, which makes her totally unaware she can really hurt people and cause real pain. She just gets totally carried away in her own comedy. That said, I can’t comment on things that went on behind the scenes, this is just about what I have observed of her instances of so called meaness to guests, nothing more.
October 21, 2020Sharon Merchant
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I think the guy who started all this is a Thug! Now everyone who is truly mean and has a nitwit bone to pick is jumping on the bandwagon! Ellen loves fun and jokes with everyone! She just tries to have a fun show! She’s a genuinely good sweet person! Stop the hate already! From a daily watcher of her show! Bring on the laughs Ellen we need them
October 21, 2020Deborah Kimball
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I think that it is Hollywood and there are stupid rumors all over the place. She has apologized for anything that happened on the show. She has said changes are being made. Look at all the wonderful, amazing things she has done for people over these last 18 seasons. Remember how easy it is for rumors to start and get way out of control and things taken way out of context. I believe in my heart that she is a good person. She is one of the reasons I try very hard to pay it forward somehow everyday!
October 21, 2020Heather
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I’ve always liked Ellen. And this year people are very angry, and political and short fused. Triggered if the wind blows. If she’s making a legitimate effort to apologize for acting like a tool that’s a lot more than the rest of us are doing.
October 21, 2020C Thompson
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I think Ellen takes pleasure in embarrassing people on her show. It is almost sadistic in nature. I think she is a very generous woman with great popularity but in light of the recent comments from her guests and staff I just had to weigh in on what I believe.
October 21, 2020MsJudes
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My sister & 3 friends got “VIP” tickets thru someone they know in the business. Travelling from Canada, getting a hotel, being so excited!! It was the worst experience; they were told they would meet Ellen backstage afterwards. Ellen “danced” up the aisle, makes no real eye contact; “that rumour about “staff plants” along the aisles, that is exactly what it seemed like. Good-looking people only get on camera. Guests for the show were no on anyone ever heard of; a country singer that no one knew. After, they waited back-stage, & after awhile, they were told “Ellen went home”. Treated like shit. My sis feels like “special” shows are made for tv, this one wasn’t ever on tv. Ellen is a fake.
October 21, 2020Cher
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I don’t watch Ellen no more
October 21, 2020Michell Weaver
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When Ellen’s show just started in the afternoons, for years, 8 approximately I wouldn’t miss it!! I thought she was great!! Then slowly her show became boring and all of a sudden I found myself not caring as much about missing it. Then I found myself not liking her. No specific reason, couldn’t put my finger on it but she was different and I no longer liked her. Now apparently I was right. I don’t ever watch her show anymore and no longer want to.
October 21, 2020Susan
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Perhaps it’s time for Ellen to move on. Shes made a fortune and she can afford to sit back and do nothing and let someone else take over who actually enjoys being with other people.
October 21, 2020Denis Joseph hachey
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I’ll be watching Drew Barrymore nobody has anything bad to say about her but yeah you’re right too many people have bad things to say about Ellen and I’ve lost faith in her to be honest and I used to be the biggest fan but if she’s not fake I don’t want to do anything to do with it
October 21, 2020Denis Joseph hachey
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Sorry that should have said if she’s a fake…..
October 21, 2020BT
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Therapy? Really? Nah, she just wants her 15 minutes of fame now. This was centuries ago.
October 22, 2020Dawn Boothe
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Do people not have anything better to do…I love Ellen mean or not .all that she has done for people please she is funny and. People are mean to even start such a rumor..
October 22, 2020Toyin
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I honestly don’t know why someone will sit down and write this about another person. Ellen is not mean, she is real. She is just saying what she feels. Take a look at Ariana Grande doppelganger too, she also doesn’t like it. These celebrity are human too and I will be creeped out if it happens to me too.
October 22, 2020I think you just don’t like her and don’t get her joke.
Or maybe you are just a piece of sh*t who is trolling to make himself popular. Thanks
Lc
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People are just stupid. I’m the Dakota Johnson imterview they were clearly a joking. Same as the look alike. Come on! She is a comedian. She makes jokes. This Ellen thing is just because a bunch of touchy and entitled millennials have no sense of humor!
October 22, 2020MaryRose
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Ellen is a mean person. Don’t sugar coat it!
October 22, 2020Billie Dilworth
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Idk if all that is true or not! But if it is. She should be kinder after all isn’t that what she says. Be kind to everyone!!
October 22, 2020Sandi
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Ellen doesn’t have to always be nice. Through the history of entertainment, actors can have an onstage persona and an off stage persona. I watch Ellen all the time. I can believe that like the rest of us, off stage and on, she will have mostly good days but also some bad days. If guests don6like it they don’t have to go on her show. But stop the whining.
October 22, 2020Cheryl McKnight
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No such thing as “bad publicity”!!
October 22, 2020J. Ryan
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In 2000 we saw her at the Universal Ampetheatre. She had just broken up with Heche had problems with her professional life etc. There was a question and answer period and she was rude to everyone. Then had to audacity to say ” Is there anyone here who ISNT gay?” And it was not in a facetious, joking matter. Not one bit. A few years later someone suggested trying to get tix for her talk show. We noticed you had to have a picture. Who does that? Yeah.. the audience now looks like housewives of Orange County. Guess how the audience looked at Universal that night? Whatever Ellen. I believe every word that’s being said about you.You should be ashamed of yourself.
October 22, 2020LYNNE Matthews
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I think when Ellen first started out she was very good and nice but as alot of stars when they start getting alot of money and more famous they act like the ordinary people aren’t good enough for them anymore, I used to watch Ellen on her show but the the more bad things I hear about her I have better things to watch and do I’m done with all Hollywood drama,
October 26, 2020