American television sitcom
The Ellen Show is an American television sitcom created by and starring Ellen DeGeneres that was broadcast during the 2001–02 season on CBS, airing from September 24, 2001, to January 11, 2002. It also starred Cloris Leachman, Martin Mull, Kerri Kenney, Jim Gaffigan, and Emily Rutherfurd, with Diane Delano recurring.
It was DeGeneres' second attempt at a sitcom, following "Ellen" on ABC (1994–98), but it was unable to attract strong ratings and was cancelled after 13 episodes, leaving 5 unaired. Unlike many short-lived sitcoms, which often disappear and are hard to find, it lives on somewhat as it was released on DVD (twice) and is also available digitally in some markets.
Plot.
After her internet company Homelearn.com goes bankrupt, Ellen Richmond decides to move back to her hometown to live with her eccentric mother, Dot, and scatter-brained sister, Catherine. At home, Ellen becomes reacquainted with her senior prom date, Rusty, who thinks they can pick up where they left off (which, since she is gay, seems unlikely), and her befuddled high school teacher, Mr. Munn. Though worlds apart from the people who love her, Ellen begins to adjust to a very different way of life and takes a job as a guidance counselor at her former high school.
Production.
The show was created by Carol Leifer and Mitchell Hurwitz, who co-wrote the pilot episode. The original title was "Ellen Again". DeGeneres came out as a lesbian in the later seasons of her sitcom "Ellen." Her character on "The Ellen Show", Ellen Richmond, was also a lesbian, although it was more of an aside, the show not focusing much on the character's sexuality.
Four cast members from "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" featured in the sitcom - regular Cloris Leachman, plus guest stars Betty White, Ed Asner, and Mary Tyler Moore herself, the latter two reuniting in the same episode alongside Leachman (White appeared in a separate episode). Moore had also appeared in two episodes of DeGeneres's previous sitcom, "Ellen," and would also later appear as a guest on her talk show, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show".
Episodes.
"The Ellen Show" produced 18 episodes, but was canceled 2/3 of the way through its season. The final 5 episodes were never broadcast, but are available on DVD.
Home media and streaming.
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment released the complete series on DVD in Region 1 in a 2-disc box set on July 11, 2006.
In 2014, Mill Creek Entertainment acquired the rights to the series and subsequently re-released the complete series on February 4, 2014.
Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment, in partnership with CBS Home Entertainment, owns the international rights. The complete series was released in Region 4 (Australia) as a 2 DVD set on February 1, 2017 by Umbrella Entertainment.
As of 2023, all episodes can be seen for free on Crackle and Fubo in the US and on CTV in Canada. The show is also available for purchase on Apple TV and Amazon in the US.
References.
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