November 14, 2020
Watch: Be Kind... and Buy My Gift Box, Hucks Ellen DeGeneres
READ TIME: 3 MIN.
Be Kind to Ellen DeGeneres... and buy her gift box.
DeGeneres hucked the latest iteration of her product on her Ellen Shop Instagram.
And did this despite having been the center of the months-long controversy over just how kind she actually is.
"Ellen revealed the new season's subscription box full of a few of her favorite things in an Instagram post," writes the Daily Mail.
"It seems the embattled host is trying to build back some of her reputations with her new 'Be Kind' boxes, which contains full of Ellen's 'favourite things' like a painting set, earbuds, collapsible cup, a gold 'hope' necklace. However, fans were already underwhelmed with the contents as they took to social media with complaints," adds Koimoi.com.
The bekindbyellen.com website offered this description of the new box:
"You will receive 4 seasonal boxes each year filled with Ellen's favorite, handpicked products. The Fall Box includes 6 surprises to encourage you during this season of change to be kind and listen to one another, plus a few goodies to help you take time for yourself at home or on the go!"
The price point for four boxes a year is $270, payable in four installments.
Since she has come under fire this Spring, DeGeneres has seen her daily show's ratings slump, as well as see her social media following diminish.
"Neilsen Media Research, the firm that measures audience size, reported that for Ellen's September 21 season 18 premiere, the show averaged a 1.2 Live+Same Day household ratings - a 29% drop from her 2019 premiere," the Daily Mail adds.
"The show is averaging about 1.7 million viewers this season, nearly 38% less than last year, before she had been hit with accusations from both current and former employees that she had fostered a toxic workplace."
When the show returned in September for the current season, the beleaguered host addressed the controversy.
"I learned that things happened here that never should have happened," she said after an internal investigation revealed a hostile work environment.
"I take that very seriously, and I want to say I am so sorry to the people who were affected. I know that I'm in a position of privilege and power, and I realize that with that comes responsibility, and I take responsibility for what happens at my show."
She also addressed her moniker as the "be-kind lady," calling it a tricky position to be in.
"The truth is I am that person you see on TV. I am also a lot of other things. Sometimes I get sad, I get mad, I get anxious, I get frustrated, I get impatient. And I am working on all of that."
But many replied on Ellen's Instagram with customer service complaints and negative comments.
k_kae22 wrote: "never got my summer box, can't get anyone to respond to my emails? I don't even have an account anymore for some reason, but I still have my invoice!"
nancykubon: "My ear buds don't work & cannot get ahold of anyone!!!"
annsterw pleaded: "Can some one please contact me. I have sent seven emails and heard nothing back. I was double-billed for my premium box. Please contact me."
chel_sayyyyy complained: "Why is the customer service for this SO HARD TO GET AHOLD OF!! We can only contact by email?! But they don't respond?! So irritated with these boxes and and this service."
morrisonthiagmail.com_ wrote "I think u make enough money dear. Give them away for those who can't afford stuff. That's being kind to others.."