The Ellen DeGeneres Show’s Final Season: Everything We Know About Guests, Surprises and More

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The Ellen DeGeneres Show's Final Season: Everything We Know About Guests, Surprises and More

The end of an era. Ellen DeGeneres announced in May 2021 that she decided to end her talk show's nearly 20-year run. "It’s going to be really hard on the last day, but I also know it’s time,” the Finding Nemo star told The Hollywood Reporter at the time. “I’m a creative person, and when you’re a creative person you constantly need to be challenged, which is why I decided to host the Oscars or why I decided to go back to stand up when I didn’t think I would. I just needed something to challenge me. And as great as this show is, and as fun as it is, it’s just not a challenge anymore. I need something new to challenge me.” Since The Ellen DeGeneres Show debuted in 2003, the comedian has welcomed tons of celebrity guests, many of whom became targets of her good-natured pranks. The show's reputation took a hit in 2020, however, after allegations of toxic set behavior surfaced. In a July 2020 letter to staff obtained by Us Weekly, the host said she'd always wanted the show to be a "place of happiness," and she apologized for the change that had taken place. “Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case," she wrote. "And for that, I am sorry. Anyone who knows me knows it’s the opposite of what I believe and what I hoped for our show.” [jwplayer 3Vky22lY-zhNYySv2] The Emmy winner later said that the accusations were "very hurtful" to her, but she claimed they weren't the reason she decided to end the show. "If I was quitting the show because of that, I wouldn’t have come back this season," she told THR. Shortly after DeGeneres announced the show's end, an insider told Us that the host wanted to make sure she goes out with a bang. “The entire next season is going to be a celebration of the past 18 years,” the source explained. “It’s not going to be just the last show that’s a huge hooray, it’s going to be every show that season.” The source added that the Louisiana native told her staff so far in advance of season 19 because she wanted them to have time to adjust to the news. “Her team is her priority," the insider told Us. "She wanted to make sure that she was telling everybody way in advance, so they can have another year to celebrate and make it the best possible year they can.” Keep scrolling for everything to know about the final season of The Ellen DeGeneres Show: [podcast_block]

Credit: Shutterstock

The Ellen DeGeneres Show's Final Season: Everything We Know About Guests, Surprises and More

The end of an era. Ellen DeGeneres announced in May 2021 that she decided to end her talk show's nearly 20-year run. "It’s going to be really hard on the last day, but I also know it’s time,” the Finding Nemo star told The Hollywood Reporter at the time. “I’m a creative person, and when you’re a creative person you constantly need to be challenged, which is why I decided to host the Oscars or why I decided to go back to stand up when I didn’t think I would. I just needed something to challenge me. And as great as this show is, and as fun as it is, it’s just not a challenge anymore. I need something new to challenge me.” Since The Ellen DeGeneres Show debuted in 2003, the comedian has welcomed tons of celebrity guests, many of whom became targets of her good-natured pranks. The show's reputation took a hit in 2020, however, after allegations of toxic set behavior surfaced. In a July 2020 letter to staff obtained by Us Weekly, the host said she'd always wanted the show to be a "place of happiness," and she apologized for the change that had taken place. “Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case," she wrote. "And for that, I am sorry. Anyone who knows me knows it’s the opposite of what I believe and what I hoped for our show.” [jwplayer 3Vky22lY-zhNYySv2] The Emmy winner later said that the accusations were "very hurtful" to her, but she claimed they weren't the reason she decided to end the show. "If I was quitting the show because of that, I wouldn’t have come back this season," she told THR. Shortly after DeGeneres announced the show's end, an insider told Us that the host wanted to make sure she goes out with a bang. “The entire next season is going to be a celebration of the past 18 years,” the source explained. “It’s not going to be just the last show that’s a huge hooray, it’s going to be every show that season.” The source added that the Louisiana native told her staff so far in advance of season 19 because she wanted them to have time to adjust to the news. “Her team is her priority," the insider told Us. "She wanted to make sure that she was telling everybody way in advance, so they can have another year to celebrate and make it the best possible year they can.” Keep scrolling for everything to know about the final season of The Ellen DeGeneres Show: [podcast_block]

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When Does It Premiere?

The Ellen DeGeneres Show returns to TV on Monday, September 13. Air times and channels vary by location, but you can find your local information at Ellentube.com.

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Who Will Appear?

According to a press release, season 19 will kick off with several guests who are longtime friends of the show. Jennifer Aniston, who was the show's first guest in 2003, will make her 23rd appearance, and Jimmy Kimmel will stop by for the 20th time. Other early-season guests include Kim Kardashian, Tiffany Haddish, Melissa McCarthy, Julianne Moore, Melissa Etheridge and Sean "Diddy" Combs.

Credit: Michael Rozman/Warner Bros

Will There Be an Audience?

Season 18 was audience-less because of the coronavirus pandemic, but for the show's final outing, a lucky few will get to watch live in person. "All season long, DeGeneres will celebrate and thank her fans for their support and love throughout the years," a press release about the final season stated.

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What Kind of Surprises Are Coming?

The show has always been full of surprises for guests, viewers and audience members, so it seems likely that the final season will go bigger than ever. “I promise you that we’re going to have a fantastic final season," DeGeneres said in May. "It will be a season where I truly get to say, 'Thank you. Thank you all.' Every day will be a celebration. There will be a lot of surprises, there will be trips down memory lane, and a few detours through Why Did I Wear That Alley."

Credit: Michael Rozman/Warner Bros.

When Is the Final Episode?

DeGeneres confirmed via Twitter in March 2022 that the talk show’s finale will air on May 26. She tweeted at the time, “I’m going to miss this.”

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Who Are the Final Guests?

Many famous faces are slated to drop by the host’s eponymous talk show one more time before it wraps. According to a March 2022 Deadline report, stars including Michelle Obama, Jennifer Garner, Channing Tatum, Serena Williams, Zac Efron, Adam Levine, Behati Prinsloo, Gwen Stefani, David Letterman, Diane Keaton, Kim Kardashian and Portia de Rossi are scheduled to appear.

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Last Day

“Today we taped the final episode of The Ellen Show which airs on May 26th,” DeGeneres tweeted in April 2022. "When we started this show in 2003, the iPhone didn’t exist. Social Media didn’t exist. Gay marriage wasn’t legal. We watched the world change, sometimes for the better, sometimes not.”

She added: “But whatever was happening, my goal was always for the show to be a place where we could all come together and laugh for an hour.  Being invited into your lives has been the greatest privilege of my life and has brought me incredible joy. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”

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The Last Guest

Jennifer Aniston, who was DeGeneres’ very first talk show guest, is set to return to the hot seat for the series finale, according to People.

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An Emotional Speech

"Everybody keeps asking me how I am, and, some days, I’m really good, and some days, I’m an emotional mess,” she said in a video shared via Twitter on May 13.

She looked out and saw her crew members surrounded by their families, including many children who were born throughout the run of her daytime talk show. 

“It just made me emotional cause on the last day, everybody’s families are gonna be here and everybody’s kids are gonna be here — 'cause we’re all saying goodbye," she told the audience. "It’s been one hell of a ride. I never, ever thought it was gonna last 19 years. Never thought we would get to do all the things we have done and help so many people."

She concluded, "I don't know what I'm going to do next, but this has been the best chapter of my life so far."

Credit: Michael Rozman/Warner Bros.

A Heartfelt Goodbye

"If this show has made you smile, if it has lifted you up when you’re in a period of some type of pain, some type of sadness, anything you are going through, then I have done my job," a tearful DeGeneres told the audience during the final episode of her show, which aired on May 26, 2022. "This show has forever changed my life. It is the greatest experience I have ever had, beyond my wildest imagination."

At the end of the show, she wrapped things up with one last emotional speech of gratitude for the show's producers and its viewers. "I hope that what I've been able to do in the last 19 years has made you happy. ... And I hope I've been able to inspire you to make other people happy and do good in the world. To feel like you've had a purpose."

She continued: "If I've done anything in the past 19 years, I hope I've inspired you to be yourself — your true, authentic self. ... By opening your heart and your mind, you're going to be that much more compassionate. And compassion is what makes this world a better place. ... I feel the love and I send it back to you."