ehT fact is Ellen made the public feel lied to. it doesn't matter that she has said she isn't nice all the time. i'm not saying that should be the most important reaction - but that is why there is such a reaction. It directly impacted the brand expectations and brand relationship she used to make a lot of money. She made brand promises and directly failed them. She betrayed the terms of the para social relationship she has with her viewer.

I can say that people SHOULD be angry at BP for lots of other reasons but there will be far more outcry over gas prices than there is about the enviroment (another issue which is really the big story but would be instantly eclipsed in the news cycle by any story that directly impacts the viewer.