After nineteen seasons at the helm of the Ellen DeGeneres Show, the 63-year-old American TV host has announced that the next season will be her last.
DeGeneres announced the news on her show this week promising her fans that it would be the greatest last season ever, with plenty of surprises and plenty of opportunity for her to thank her incredible fans who have stood by her through thick and thin as she ends this “amazing chapter.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, she said she was moving on because the program was "just not a challenge anymore". Over the years, the show has received 171 Daytime Emmy Award nominations and won 61 Daytime Emmy Awards. Her departure coincides with the end of her three-year contract.
In April of 1997 Ellen came out as a lesbian on the Oprah Winfrey Show, she will sit down with her long-time buddy on May 13 to discuss this latest life-changing news.
Take a look at the clip right here :
Today is a big day. Next season is a big season. pic.twitter.com/Ii4m9IDuYv
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) May 13, 2021
DeGeneres has been under intense media scrutiny over the last year after reports surfaced of there being a toxic work environment on set, In August of last year, three producers left the show after similar allegations were made by former staff members. DeGeneres apologized at the time and promised to make it a workplace where “everyone is treated with respect”.
Ratings have also taken a dive over the last year according to audience counting company Nielsen, she has lost about a million viewers per show.
