Ellen DeGeneres gave everyone a bit of scare last year when she mentioned to The New York Times that she might end her show. When asked about renewing her contract again, the talk show host and comedian said that she almost declined the last time, but ultimately felt like her positive, unifying voice was needed in this political climate.
That contract only took her through until the summer of 2020, though, and it left a lot of people wondering if perhaps the 2020 season would be her last. It wouldn't be a total surprise, as even DeGeneres' wife Portia de Rossi said the show was just the tip of the creative ice berg.
"I just think she's such a brilliant actress and stand-up that it doesn't have to be this talk show for her creativity," de Rossi said. "There are other things she could tackle."
Today, however, DeGeneres finally gave us the answer we've all be wondering about, and it started off a little nerve-wracking.
Okay, so I have been doing this show for 16 years. That's about 3,000 episodes. A lot. I don't remember them, but I'm told it was enjoyable. And when we started, that was before Instagram, before YouTube. We were young. We were bored out of our minds.And from the beginning I said this show was going to be like a relationship. We've been through the good, the bad, the "˜Fifty Shades of Grey' phase. It's been a lot of fun and 16 years is a pretty good run. Sometimes in a relationship, you need to take a break. But I don't. You're stuck with me. I just signed for three more years.
I really had no idea what this show was going to be when we started. I had gone through a tough time. I lost my career for a little while. This show was my second chance, and it turns out it also helped other people go through a tough time. And I got letters from people telling me that I helped them go through chemo. And that they were inspired to be one of my guests, or watching the show made them laugh for the very first time in a long time.
And that's why I'm going to keep doing this show, for people like you.
Peter Roth, president and chief content officer, Warner Bros. Television Group, released a statement on the show's renewal.
Ellen is, quite simply, a force of nature. Her energy, intelligence, kindness and creativity know no bounds. Whether it's her instant connection to her guests on her flagship talk show, her warm and funny hosting on "˜Game of Games,' or the infectious enthusiasm she shares in producing everything from "˜Little Big Shots' to the animated antics of "˜Green Eggs and Ham,' it's an honor to work alongside her. We're thrilled to continue this fun and friendly journey with her.
As Roth mentioned, DeGeneres also hosts Ellen's Game of Games, and will be hosting three holiday specials this year called Ellen's Greatest Night of Giveaways.
Personally, I'm thrilled that DeGeneres will be around for at least three more years!