Ellen DeGeneres is under fire for comments she made comparing her time in lockdown to being in prison.
The 62-year-old comedian and TV presenter made the comparison on Monday during her quarantine version of her daytime show, which she is recording remotely from her mansion, which boasts its own infinity pool.
“This is like being in jail, is what it is,” she said.
“Mostly because I’ve been the same clothes for 10 days and everyone in here is gay.”
The joke didn’t sit well with viewers, with many saying the gag was inappropriate considering DeGeneres’ significant wealth.
“What a great look for Ellen as thousands of people sit in actual jail cells just hoping for the best without soap and basic protections,” wrote Variety TV critic Caroline Framke.
“My 19 year old daughter is considered an “essential employee”. She’s a fast food worker. She’s exposed EVERY DAY,” wrote another Twitter user.
Celebrities reacting to coronavirus – In pictures
1/20
Demi Moore and Bruce Willis in matching pajamas with their daughter and her boyfriend
Instagram / @buuski
2/20
Brooklyn Beckham in quarantine with his girlfriend Nicola Peltz
3/20
Matthew McConaughey played virtual bingo with seniors
The Enclave at Round Rock Senior Living/Facebook
4/20
Kristin Cavallari is stranded in the Bahamas with her husband and her hairstylist
Instagram / @justinanderson
5/20
Kim Kardashian on a flight wearing a face mask and gloves
@kimkardashian
6/20
Naomi Campbell preparing for a flight
@naomi
7/20
Gwyneth Paltrow wearing a facemask during a plane ride
@gwynethpaltrow
8/20
Bella Hadid wearing a face mask on a plane
@bellahadid
9/20
Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas
@sophiet
10/20
Sebastian Stan being overly prepared on a plane
@sebastianstan
11/20
Marjorie & Steve Harvey wearing face masks on a plane
@MarjorieHarvey
12/20
Naomi Campbell preparing for a flight
@naomi
13/20
Jade Thirlwell
@jadethirlwell
14/20
Nicole Scherzinger with Thom Evans
@nicolescherzinger
15/20
The actor announced on Twitter that he had tested positive for coronavirus
@idriselba
16/20
Prince Harry and Craig David greet each other with an elbow bump
BBC
17/20
Charlotte Crosby and friends being very prepared
@charlottegshore
18/20
Robbie Williams greets fans with elbow bumps
Getty Images
19/20
Prince Charles and Ant and Dec use Namaste to greet each other
Getty Images
20/20
Pierce Brosnan greets Prince Charles with Namaste
PA
1/20
Demi Moore and Bruce Willis in matching pajamas with their daughter and her boyfriend
Instagram / @buuski
2/20
Brooklyn Beckham in quarantine with his girlfriend Nicola Peltz
3/20
Matthew McConaughey played virtual bingo with seniors
The Enclave at Round Rock Senior Living/Facebook
4/20
Kristin Cavallari is stranded in the Bahamas with her husband and her hairstylist
Instagram / @justinanderson
5/20
Kim Kardashian on a flight wearing a face mask and gloves
@kimkardashian
6/20
Naomi Campbell preparing for a flight
@naomi
7/20
Gwyneth Paltrow wearing a facemask during a plane ride
@gwynethpaltrow
8/20
Bella Hadid wearing a face mask on a plane
@bellahadid
9/20
Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas
@sophiet
10/20
Sebastian Stan being overly prepared on a plane
@sebastianstan
11/20
Marjorie & Steve Harvey wearing face masks on a plane
@MarjorieHarvey
12/20
Naomi Campbell preparing for a flight
@naomi
13/20
Jade Thirlwell
@jadethirlwell
14/20
Nicole Scherzinger with Thom Evans
@nicolescherzinger
15/20
The actor announced on Twitter that he had tested positive for coronavirus
@idriselba
16/20
Prince Harry and Craig David greet each other with an elbow bump
BBC
17/20
Charlotte Crosby and friends being very prepared
@charlottegshore
18/20
Robbie Williams greets fans with elbow bumps
Getty Images
19/20
Prince Charles and Ant and Dec use Namaste to greet each other
Getty Images
20/20
Pierce Brosnan greets Prince Charles with Namaste
PA
“Show me @ellen working the lines @ the grocery store. NO mask, NO gloves. Then I might care.”
“Poor Ellen, languishing in her $15 MILLION MANSION. Yes, it’s just like prison,” wrote another.
A fourth wrote: “Except your “jail” is a warm home, with access to soap, hot food, and you’re not likely to contract a deadly virus because you’re stuck in a 6×8 concrete cell with people who could potentially infect you with #Covid19. What a sadly out of touch and entitled thing to say, Ellen.”
Ellen made the comment in the first at-home episode of her chat show, during which she interviewed celebrities including Jennifer Lopez and John Legend over video chat.
DeGeneres is isolating with her wife Portia De Rossi, and she also joked that the spouses finally had time to get to know each other.
“Did you know that she was Australian?” she asked viewers.
