DeGeneres cancels N.Y. tapings

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- Los Angeles talk show host Ellen DeGeneres won't be taping upcoming episodes of her show in New York on Thanksgiving week as planned.

The decision came as the Writers Guild of America East criticized DeGeneres for working while her writing staff was on strike and told her she wasn't welcome in New York.

"I try not to read or watch TV or pay attention to what other people's opinions are," DeGeneres told USA Today. "I know a lot of people are talking about a lot of things but I'm just trying to do my job and trying to explain my support for my writers."

As the host of a syndicated program, DeGeneres said she is bound by contract to provide programming to stations that air her show.

She also said she is trying to protect the jobs of her 135 staff members.

"What's sad is, I support my writers 100 percent. I love my writers and I miss them and it's

hard coming to work right now," she told USA Today.

The comedian also said she was surprised she has been targeted by the writers' union when Oprah Winfrey and Rachael Ray are still working on their syndicated shows.