Ellen DeGeneres Explores Redemption in New Netflix Special

Forgiveness and Reflection in Ellen DeGeneres' New Special

Ellen DeGeneres wants us to forgive her. That’s the TL;DR version of her new stand-up comedy special, For Your Approval, now streaming on Netflix. DeGeneres doesn’t try to disguise this transparent attempt to repair her reputation, which was shattered in 2020 by reports that her popular daytime talk show was a toxic workplace, allegedly teeming with racism and sexual harassment. For someone who’d built a brand around kindness, it was a bad look. DeGeneres wasn’t culturally canceled, but her show was, after losing a sizable segment of its viewers.

Can the Apology Tour Succeed?

As a genre, the apology tour is a risky gambit: Can the penitent manage to hit just the right chord of humility, vulnerability, and hilarity? Humility, at least, is off the list within the first few minutes of For Your Approval.

• The special opens with DeGeneres in her dressing room, looking into the mirror.
• Clips from her past are intermingled with viral criticisms.
• She addresses her aging and past surgeries with humor.

DeGeneres’ laid-back and relatable comedy shines, yet it often veers into a non-apology. She suggests that her past misdeeds stem from youth and immaturity.

Conclusion of a Legend?

In the end, DeGeneres’ special is a reflection on her choices, concluding with a promise of how she wishes to be remembered. Addressing humor, regret, and personal growth, Ellen DeGeneres firmly places her future in her own hands.