The Ellen DeGeneres Show
The Ellen DeGeneres Show ends after 19 years: Ellen DeGeneres ended her nearly two-decade daytime talk show show Thursday with a celebrity lovefest and loudly asserting her accomplishment as a lesbian woman. DeGeneres and guests Jennifer Aniston, Billie Eilish and Pink shared memories and affection as The Ellen DeGeneres Show concluded its Emmy-winning, 3,200-plus episode run that began in September 2003.
“Twenty years ago, when we were trying to sell the show, no one thought it would work. Not because it was a different kind of show, but because I was different,” DeGeneres told TV stations. Said about pushback.
When the syndicated show went on air, she was prevented from saying the word “gay” or even the pronoun “we”, as the latter would imply she had a partner. It did not specify who imposed the ban.
“Certainly couldn’t say wife, and that’s because it wasn’t legal for gay people to marry — and now I say ‘wife’ all the time,” DeGeneres said, with a touch of defiance, actor Portia de Rossi. Saw from the studio audience. They married in 2008.
The host, who is known for encouraging his audience to suddenly join in the dance, shared some final moves to the tune of “Best of My Love” with his sidekick and DJ, Stephen “Twitch” Boss.
The dancer-choreographer saluted DeGeneres as someone who inspires others because she has “the courage to step out and be your authentic self.”
Aniston, who had given DeGeneres a “Welcome” doormat as the first guest on the show’s first episode, arrived with another, which read, “Thanks for the memories.” DeGeneres noted that the Friends star has been on the show a total of 20 times.
“You’re welcome,” Aniston said teasingly, then got serious.
“I love you, and I greatly appreciate what you’ve given to you and the world over the past 19 years. The contributions are endless,” she said. She featured a career retrospective video showing DeGeneres’ philanthropic efforts Also included, which called for more than $400 million in donations and a “deserving audience” to attend.
“I love you,” a smiling Eilish told DeGeneres during their chat. “I love you so much, it’s dumb,” said Pink, who performed “What About Us”.
DeGeneres’s reign of the day took a serious hit in 2020, when the show was accused of being a toxic workplace and three producers exited amid claims. On Falling Air, DeGeneres apologized for “things that shouldn’t happen,” but defended herself as being the only real person — if an imperfect person — on-off-camera.
The talk show represented a second major TV act for DeGeneres. In 1997, she made an indelible mark when she came out as gay and brought her character with her on the ABC sitcom “Ellen”. The series was dropped the following year.
“Twenty-five years ago, they canceled my sitcom because they didn’t want a gay one to come to prime-time once a week. And I said, ‘Okay, then I’ll come in every day in the day,'” DeGeneres said Thursday. Said to
The comedian, actor and producer has said it will take time for him to consider the next steps in his career, but first he and de Rossi are traveling to Rwanda. DeGeneres wrapped up her daytime show with a plea to her audience she said was worth a repeat.
“If I’ve done anything in the last 19 years, I hope I’ve inspired you to be yourself, your true authentic self. And if someone is brave enough to tell you who they are, their Be brave enough to support, even if you don’t understand,” DeGeneres said. “By opening your heart and mind you are going to be more compassionate, and compassion is what makes the world a better place.”