Ellen DeGeneres promises a "new chapter" on her show while addressing toxic workplace allegations

As promised, DeGeneres addressed her toxic workplace controversy on her first show back Monday to kick off Season 18, apologizing yet again and saying "we are staring a new chapter" on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. "I learned that things happened here that never should have happened," DeGeneres said of reports of a toxic workplace. "I take that very seriously and I want to say I'm so sorry to the people that were affected. I know that I'm in a position of privilege and power, and I realize that with that comes responsibility. I take responsibility for what happens at my show." Acknowledging that being a "be kind lady" is a tricky position to be in, DeGeneres said "I am that person that you see on TV. I am also a lot of other things," adding: "Sometimes I get sad, I get mad, I get anxious, I get frustrated, I get impatient, and I am working on all of that. I am a work in progress. And I am especially working on the impatience -- and it's not going well because it's not happening fast enough." Recalling her past as an actress, DeGeneres said: "I've played a straight woman in movies, so I am a pretty good actress, but I don't think that I'm that good that I could come out here every day for 17 years and fool you. This is me and my intention is to always be the best person I can be, and if I've ever let someone down, if I've ever hurt their feelings, I am so sorry for that. If that's ever the case, I've let myself down and I've hurt myself as well because I always try to grow as a person," she continued. "I look at everything that comes into my life as an opportunity to learn. I got into this business to make people laugh and feel good, that's my favorite thing to do." In discussing her employees, DeGeneres said: "I am a boss of 270 people, 270 people who helped make this show what it is. 270 people who I am so grateful for. All I want is for every single one of them to be happy and to be proud to work here."