ABOVE: Ellen DeGeneres, photo via her Facebook page.
The upcoming 19th season of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” will be its last, its namesake announced May 12.
DeGeneres’ talk show first aired in 2003, quickly becoming a staple of daytime television. It will end along with her contract in 2022.
The comedian shared the news in an exclusive interview with The Hollywood Reporter (THR). “When you’re a creative person, you constantly need to be challenged – and as great as this show is, and as fun as it is, it’s just not a challenge anymore,” she said.
DeGeneres informed her staff May 11, the outlet reported, adding that the decision was hers and had been “several years in the making.” She’s expected to discuss the news with Oprah Winfrey on her May 13 episode.
“Although all good things must come to an end, you still have hope that truly great things never will,” Warner Bros. Unscripted TV President Mike Darnell shared with THR, which noted he’d been attempting to persuade the host. Darnell added that the series has been “an absolute phenomenon” and “the premiere destination for both superstars and incredible heartfelt human-interest stories.”
The news follows a tumultuous year for the comedian and show. Multiple producers departed amid allegations of a toxic workplace last August, which DeGeneres addressed in the beginning of her 18th year in September.
“If you’re watching because you love me, thank you. If you’re watching because you don’t love me, welcome,” DeGeneres shared at the time. “As you may have heard, this summer there were allegations of a toxic work environment at our show and then there was an investigation.
“I learned that things happened here that never should have happened. I take that very seriously and I want to say I am so sorry to the people that were affected,” she continued. “I know that I am in a position of privilege and power and I realize with that comes responsibility, and I take responsibility for what happens at my show. This is ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show.’ I am Ellen DeGeneres, my name is there, my name is there, my name is on underwear.”
In her wide-ranging interview with THR, DeGeneres noted that her departure is unrelated. “It almost impacted the show. It was very hurtful to me. I mean, very. But if I was quitting the show because of that, I wouldn’t have come back this season.”
The groundbreaking comedian also called the series “the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.” DeGeneres noted that “I’ll miss everything but, in my gut, I know it’s time to do something different.”
