The end of an era. Ellen Degeneres announced in May 2021 that she had decided to end her talk show’s nearly 20-year run.
“It’s going to be very hard on the last day, but I also know it’s time,” said The world of Nemo star said The Hollywood Reporter at the time. “I’m a creative person, and when you’re a creative person, you constantly need to be challenged, that’s why I decided to host the Oscars or why I decided to come back up so that I didn’t think I would. I just needed something to challenge myself. And as awesome as this show is, and as fun as it is, it’s not a challenge anymore. I need something new to challenge myself.
Since The Ellen DeGeneres Show debuted in 2003, the comedian has hosted tons of celebrity guests, many of whom have become the butt of her good-natured pranks. The show’s reputation took a hit in 2020, however, after allegations of toxic on-set behavior surfaced.
In a July 2020 letter to staff obtained by We Weekly, the host said that she had always wanted the show to be a “place of happiness” and she apologized for the change that had occurred. “Clearly something has changed, and I’m disappointed to hear it hasn’t,” she wrote. “And for that, I’m sorry. Anyone who knows me knows that’s the opposite of what I believe and what I hoped for our show.
The Emmy winner later said the accusations were “very hurtful” to her, but she claimed they weren’t the reason she decided to end the show. “If I had left the show because of that, I wouldn’t have come back this season,” she said. THR.
Shortly after DeGeneres announced the end of the show, an insider said We that the host wanted to make sure she came out in style.
“The whole of next season will be a celebration of the last 18 years,” the source explained. “It’s not just going to be the last show that’s a huge hooray, it’s going to be every show this season.”
The source added that the Louisiana native told her staff so long before Season 19 because she wanted them to have time to adjust to current events.
“His team is his priority,” the insider said. We. “She wanted to make sure she gave everyone plenty of notice, so they could have another year to celebrate and make it the best year possible.”
Keep scrolling to find out all about the latest season of The Ellen DeGeneres Show:
