"The Ellen DeGeneres Show" is the only talk show in the history of the Daytime Emmys to win two consecutive awards for Outstanding Talk Show in its first two seasons. In its freshman season, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" earned 12 Daytime Emmy nominations, more than any other talk show in the history of the Daytime Emmys, and received four Emmy Awards, among them Outstanding Talk Show. Additionally, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" received the Producers Guild Award for Outstanding Variety Television Show in January of 2005, up against such competition as "The Late Show with David Letterman," "Chapelle's Show" and "Saturday Night Live."
The show features a unique mix of celebrity interviews, chart-topping and up-and-coming musical performers, audience participation games, and segments spotlighting real people with extraordinary stories and talents. Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres offers a "negative-free zone" and allows guests and viewers to enjoy the laughter and fun of daytime television.
Ellen's engaging personality and unique take on everyday life set the tone for this party-like atmosphere. Dancing, which has become Ellen's signature, has taken over the studio. Each day after her monologue, Ellen dances her way to center stage in an unbridled show of enthusiasm, with the help of the show's always jovial DJ, Tony Okungbowa.
From Justin Timberlake to Nicole Kidman to an exclusive television appearance by a pregnant Britney Spears and Kevin Federline, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" continues to be a destination for television, film and music's biggest stars. Guests have included Tom Cruise, Jennifer Aniston, Justin Timberlake, Sir Elton John, Tom Hanks, Charlize Theron, John Travolta, Jim Carrey, Cameron Diaz, Halle Berry, Jennifer Lopez, Paris Hilton, Gwen Stefani, Whoopi Goldberg, Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson, The Black Eyed Peas, Sandra Bullock, Ashton Kutcher, Rod Stewart and Mel Gibson, to name a few. Ellen's ability to keep conversations real and light-hearted puts her guests at ease. Hollywood's A-list can be seen doing everything with the talk show host from Scarlett Johansson making pizza pies with Ellen to Jennifer Lopez whipping up a favorite dish in the kitchen.
The daily, one-hour, talk/variety show highlights the observational brand of humor that Ellen has perfected as a stand-up comedian. Her inimitable style touches every aspect of the show.
During its freshman season, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" held its rank at the top of critics' lists, with People, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, USA Today and TV Guide all citing the daytime talker as one of the best programs of 2003. This trend continued throughout season two, as Ellen was featured in such publications as USA Today, Time, TV Guide, NY Times, Billboard and was the cover story in Parade, Life, Allure and LA Magazine.