Ellen DeGeneres is stepping back from a decades-long comedy career, which captivates a mixed legacy as a trailblazing queer pioneer and a bad boss.
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 18: Ellen Degeneres, winner of mulitple awards, poses in the press room during the People’s Choice Awards 2017 at Microsoft Theater on January 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Why It Matters: DeGeneres planning to disappear after the Netflix special marks the end of an era in daytime TV, impacting fans and the entertainment industry. However, for DeGeneres, it reflects a desire for privacy and a break from the public eye.
Key Points:
DeGeneres plans to release the special to Netflix later this year.
At a stand-up show in San Francisco DeGeneres said “this is the last time you’re going to see me. After my Netflix special, I’m done.”
Fans question if they could expect to see her on film or stage anytime soon, even doubling down when asked if should continue her role as Dory in Pixar’s Finding Nemo. DeGeneres replied, “no, I’m going bye-bye, remember?”
Zoomed Out:
DeGeneres, currently on national tour, has kept a low profile for the past two years.
The comedian whose ‘90s sitcom fostered a cultural shift in the acceptance of LGBTQ+ people in America developed a controversial reputation after her two-decade-running talk show, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”
DeGeneders didn’t shy away from allegations that contributed to the show’s end, fostering a hostile, racist, and sexist work environment.
She told her audience that she was “kicked out of the show business for being mean.”
