Ellen DeGeneres has revealed why her popular daytime talk show is coming to an end after 19 years.
On Wednesday, the star announced that she was quitting "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and now, in a pre-recorded monologue for Thursday's show, she has elaborated on the decision.
"I want you to know that I’ve thought a lot about this decision," she said, according to Fox News. "I sat with it for a while. I meditated on it. I talked to [my wife] Portia [de Rossi]. I talked to myself ... The point is, I need to take a break from talking."
DeGeneres signed a contract two years ago that would see the show air until 2022. Since then, DeGeneres has faced a toxic workplace scandal as well as plummeting ratings, but in her monologue, DeGeneres explained that pulling the plug on the show was something she had planned to do for a while.
"You may wonder why I’ve decided to end after 19 seasons. The truth is, I always trust my instincts. My instinct told me it’s time," DeGeneres said. "As a comedian, I’ve always understood the importance of timing. In all seriousness, I truly have felt like next season was the right time to end this amazing chapter."
Looking ahead to the final season, DeGeneres promised viewers it would be "fantastic."
"Eighteen years ago, on the very first show, I said this was gonna be a relationship and we’re gonna continue that relationship even when this show ends. But not in this house cause you know, I love to move," she said. "I promise you that we’re going to have a fantastic final season. It will be a season where I truly get to say, ‘Thank You. Thank you all.’"
DeGeneres added, "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."
In her initial announcement on Wednesday that the show was coming to a close, DeGeneres explained that she needed something to challenge her.
"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," The Hollywood Reporter quoted DeGeneres as saying.
Now reports have emerged that Tiffany Haddish may take over DeGeneres' role.
In order to do so, a fresh format would have to first be established before bringing in a new host as DeGeneres owns the rights to her show, which is produced by Warner Bros., Page Six noted. Commenting on the next step forward, a senior NBC Universal source told the outlet that Haddish was a firm favorite to replace DeGeneres.
"She has humor and empathy in spades," the source said. "She’s top of the list to get a daytime show – she’s a fresh voice."
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