About the Show
The Ellen DeGeneres Show, often shortened to Ellen, is an American television talk show hosted by comedian and actress Ellen DeGeneres. Debuting on September 8, 2003, it airs in syndication, including stations owned by NBC Universal. For its first five seasons, the show was taped in Studio 11 at NBC Studios in Burbank, California. After NBC sold its Burbank facility, the show moved to Stage 2 on the nearby Warner Bros. lot. Since the beginning of the sixth season, Ellen has broadcast in high definition. It is scheduled to remain on air through at least the 2013–2014 television season. The Show has grown extremely popular over the years and has won 12 Daytime Emmy Awards.
The program combines comedy, celebrity and musical guests and human-interest stories. The program is not characterized as a tabloid talk show, nor does it involve experts giving advice in regards to personal relationships. The show is soley based on expressing opinions, sharing stories, and bringing laughter.
Unlike most talk shows, the show uses a disc jockey to supply music rather than a band. Originally, the role was filled by Los Angeles-based DJ Scott K, who lasted only a few weeks. He was later replaced by Tony Okungbowa, who DJed through Season 3. Due to his growing acting career, Okungbowa left the show in Season 4, and was replaced by actor/DJ Jon Abrahams for the fourth season premiere. Abrahams stayed on the show for one season, and also left as his acting career grew. Ted Stryker of KROQ, who is also co-host of Loveline with Dr. Drew, was the DJ for the fifth season. Stryker stayed for one season when Okungbowa returned.
Since the show's debut, DeGeneres has segued from her opening monologue by doing a dance. The dancing proved to be extremely popular with viewers, and has since progressed to a segment where DeGeneres dances into the audience, sometimes borrowing a coat or purse from someone's chair, and taking it with her. She has also featured a segment in which people teach her new dance moves. During the early 2006 season, Ellen shortened her dance routine and did not go through the audience, making more time for segments. Upset fans sent thousands of e-mails to Ellen as a result of this, and the dancing resumed as usual a few days later. One of her most famous dance moves is dancing over the table, and although she does not do it every day, it is a recurring theme. As an April Fools' Day prank in 2009, the show's staff placed a wider table top over her normal table. During the show when Ellen attempted to dance over it, she barely made it across, being forced on her tip-toes and using the table as leverage. On the seventh season premiere, Ellen performed a dance segment with the cast of "So You Think You Can Dance".
Overall the show is spontaneous and brings out humorous, amiable attitude. It's a joyful program to watch for good laughs and a reason for America to flip on the channel every morning!