Ellen DeGeneres facing flak for hostile workplace to FRIENDS reunion at the Emmys; top news of English TV in 2020

The year 2020 has been an unusual year for all. From shooting being stalled, celebs contracting Covid-19, virtual reunions to celebs passing away, here’s looking at all the news from the world of English entertainment industry.

In the summer of 2020, Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show faced controversy when investigated for being a hostile workplace and for alleged harassment towards staff. After an internal investigation, three senior staff exited; DeGeneres apologised and vowed to make it a workplace where "everyone would be treated with respect." The talk show host also tested positive for COVID-19 during the pandemic earlier in December. Pics: Instagram

Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, and Lisa Kudrow gave us a taste of the impending FRIENDS reunion special by reuniting during the Emmy Awards. While the actors are prepping up for the reunion special episode on the digital platform, they warm up fans’ hearts by occasionally posting pics with each other. Pics: Instagram

The 72nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards nominated a record number of Black actors and the Television Academy pushed the envelope further by giving away an unprecedented number of trophies to Black artistes this year. Actors Regina King, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II for "Watchmen", Uzo Aduba for "Mrs America" and Zendaya "Euphoria" all won honours during the virtual ceremony organised in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Pics: Instagram

Kendall Jenner surprised many after she revealed she was a stoner during a podcast on which she appeared with her half-sister, Kourtney Kardashian. It was recorded in January but released in September. 'I am a stoner. No one knows that, so that’s the first time I’ve ever really said anything out there,' she admitted.

Friends actor Matthew Perry, who is known as Chandler, surprised all by joining Instagram in February. And his social media profile is a reflection of his Friends character Chandler. And last month, in November, he gave fans the second surprise by getting engaged to Molly Hurwitz, a literary manager. Pics: Instagram

On July 8, 2020, the Glee actress was declared a missing person after her four-year-old son, Josey, was found alone in Rivera's rented boat at Lake Piru, California. Her body was found after 5 days of search and Ventura County medical examiner released an autopsy report stating that the cause of death was an accidental drowning and that there was no evidence of injury or intoxication. Pics: Instagram

In July, Kanye West launched a controversial bid for president of the United States and divulged deeply personal details about his family and marriage on the campaign trail and on Twitter. This landed his marriage in trouble. Following the incident, West apologised to his loved ones, and Kardashian publicly addressed the 'Stronger' rapper's bipolar disorder for the first time. Kanye and Kim appeared to be on the brink of divorce before reconnecting in August and spending private time together with their children. Pics: Instagram

American media personality and reality TV star Kylie Jenner was crowned the highest-paid celebrity of 2020 by Forbes. As per a news portal, the top-earning stars in the world earned a combined of USD 6.1 billion in 2020 with Kylie Jenner and Kanye West at the top of the list. Setting aside Kylie's history with Forbes, the financial experts there calculated her earning this year to be at USD 590 million after she sold a majority of her beauty brand's stake to Coty Inc.

Nick Cordero, who specialised in playing tough guys on Broadway, died in Los Angeles after suffering severe medical complications after contracting the coronavirus. He was 41. Cordero died on July 5 at Cedars-Sinai hospital after more than 90 days in the hospital. Cordero entered the emergency room on March 30 and had a succession of health setbacks, including mini-strokes, blood clots, septic infections, a tracheostomy and a temporary pacemaker implanted. He had been on a ventilator and unconscious and had his right leg amputated. Pics: Instagram

Ben Watkins, a contestant on season 6 of Masterchef Junior after an 18-month battle with a rare form of cancer. He was 14. Longtime Jeopardy! host at age 80 following a battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Nikki McKibbin, American Idol season 1 finalist, died of aneurysm on October 28. She was 42. Conchata Ferrell, the character actress known for her role as the witty housekeeper Berta on Two and a Half Men, died of complications from a cardiac arrest after several months in poor health. She was 77. Tom Kennedy, a veteran host of game shows like Name That Tune and Split Second, passed away on October 7. He was 93. Fred Willard, actor and comedian known for his appearances in "Modern Family" and "Everybody Loves Raymond", passed away in May. He was 86. These are a few names to mention. Pics: Instagram