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Daytime TV Hosts Forging Past Picket Lines

Writer's Strike pictureThe is still raging on, but several notable daytime TV hosts don’t seem to care. At least, they are walking through the picket lines to continue with their work. The writers’ guild has publicly rebuked Ellen DeGeneres for these actions, though she is not the only host to walk past the strikers. Oprah Winfrey and Rachael Ray are also keeping their shows going, so The Ellen DeGeneres Show still has some ratings competition.

Ellen has canceled some New York shows, but her studio in LA remains open. DeGeneres says she’s remaining open to support her staff, as a mind-boggling 135 individuals depend upon her show’s production to keep their own paychecks coming. Her actions, however, and the actions of other daytime hosts, are not endearing to striking writers.

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Emails Surface from Ellen’s ‘Poochgate’

Ellen DeGeneresPoochgate, doggygate… whatever you want to call it, ’ puppy problems are not quite over. Remember when Ellen sobbed on her show about that poor little dog that she adopted then gave away? Maybe you thought it was all over after the crying and the dog rescue seizing the dog and finding him a new family… or maybe you’ve lost interest in this story and moved on, but another chapter in the drama has surfaced. This time, an email trail documenting an exhange between DeGeneres’ girlfriend (Portia de Rossi), the hairdresser that was given the dog (and then the dog was yanked from) and the rescue, Mutts & Moms, paints a slightly different story than the sobfest that Ellen unleashed. The Smoking Gun posted the emails today, with de Rossi initially beaming about the dog, then later saying “he was just too much energy and time for us in our brand new home with so much going on in our lives.” She explained giving the dog to the hairstylist, to which the Mutts & Moms owner said she was “deeply disturbed” and that it was “in violation of our legally binding contract.” She also called it “a betrayal of my trust.” Even the hairdresser got in on the emal action, saying that Iggy had bonded to the family. Mutts & Moms explained that the dog would need to to be returned according to their process. And then, cue the tears from Ellen. It certainly hasn’t hurt ratings either—the show saw a 10 percent boost last week.

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All Dogs Go To Ellen: An Opinion

Ellen sobs over IggyWhen I first started writing this, I had every intention of trashing talk show meltdown from earlier this week. My thoughts on the subject have, however, changed somewhat. Despite this, I do still feel that Ellen’s sob story during the opening moments of her daytime talk show were ridiculous. To tell your audience that you can’t be funny and do your show as usual because “things are going so terribly wrong right now” seems to be a little - er - melodramatic. This isn’t the week following September 11, 2001. There hasn’t been some horrible death in your family. You haven’t been stricken with an incurable illness - deal with it. More horrible things have happened.

With that said, I move on with my thoughts.

Click to continue reading All Dogs Go To Ellen: An Opinion

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Ellen DeGeneres’ Doggy Troubles

Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Daytime, Talk Shows, Gossip, Rumors,

Ellen DeGeneresWow. I just saw the video of breaking down on her show about her pet adoption. I had read about it, but it really is heart wrenching to see her sobbing. She spoke about a pet adoption that turned bad after she gave her adopted dog, Iggy, to a hairdresser. The dog’s energy level was a bit too much for her existing cats so she found a loving home with her hairdresser and her two daughters. Turns out that’s an oops, since she violated an agreement she signed with the Mutts and Moms Dog Rescue. Under the contract, if she was unable to keep the dog, he should have been returned to the rescue. Wrought with emotion, DeGeneres said, “I thought I did a good thing. I tried to find a loving home for the dog because I couldn’t keep it.” A few days after giving the dog to her hairdresser, a rep from the rescue and the police came and took the dog from the woman and her 11 and 12 year old daughters. Now, I understand the need for a contract, but you also have to agree that Ellen is an animal lover and she truly only had the best interest of the dog in line. She explained, “I feel totally responsible for it, and I’m so sorry. I’m begging them to give that dog back to that family. It’s not their fault. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have given the dog away. Just please give the dog back to those little girls.”

Read More | E! Online

Bonnie Hunt Talk Show in the Works?

Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Daytime, Talk Shows, NBC, Syndication,

Bonnie HuntThis is great news for fans (which I count myself among)... she’s currently working on developing a talk show. Anyone who’s ever seen Hunt as a guest on talk shows knows she gives great interviews. Then again, I’m not sure how this will all turn out. Yes, Hunt has appeared in many films and been great (okay, I’ll forgive her for Cheaper by the Dozen 2), but she’s also tried time and again to get a variety of television series off the ground only to be canceled—remember Life with Bonnie or The Bonnie Hunt Show? Nope, didn’t think so. So, how will a talk show work for the actress? Will she flourish a la Ellen DeGeneres or wither away like Megan Mullaly? I think she’s got the chops to do it (after all, she’s filled in for David Letterman without incident), but I’m not sure she has the huge appeal of an Ellen. Not even sure she can compete with the powerhouse that is Rachael Ray—although I’d much rather see Hunt interviewing the stars than Ray with her super grin and cheesy questions. Bonnie Hunt’s show is expected to hit the air waves in 2008 on NBC. I know I’ll check it out and I hope others will give it a chance as well.

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Vanessa Hudgens Bails on Leno

Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Late Night, Talk Shows, NBC, Gossip, Rumors,

Vanessa Hudgens You had to figure it would take a little time for seemingly wholesome to make an interview appearance after the recent nudie pic that was circulating online. She was scheduled to appear on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno tonight, but has bagged the appearance. Of course, there’s no reason cited for the cancelled gig and no comment from her rep, but we can all pretty much connect the dots, don’tcha think? Apparently, she’s not ready to face the music and come clean to Leno. Maybe Ellen or the ladies of The View would make the subject a little bit easier to approach? Not like Leno will go for the jugular or anything, but obviously some questions need to be asked given the recent scandal. Huh. Makes you wonder if Rob Schneider, who filled in when Lindsay Lohan bailed on her Leno appearance, will show up doing his best Hudgens impression.

Read More | People.com

Jon Stewart Repeats as ‘Oscar’ Host

Jon StewartAfter cranking out a bloated and boring Oscars ceremony last February (Sorry, Ellen!)—the producers have gone back to square one.  ‘s , who helmed an extremely witty telecast two years ago, has been asked to host The 80th Annual Academy Awards.  This will be Stewart’s second time at bat.

Anyone who read our coverage of his stint knows how giddy I was about Jon Stewart’s performance.  All this time has passed, yet I can still remember him telling the audience ‘Good Night and Good Luck’ was how ended most of his dates.  (Okay—I actually read that in the previous post…but I swear it was etched in my brain).

It’s obviously too soon to say which movies will be nominated at this point—but I’m already imagining the movies Stewart could parody in his opener.  Maybe he could be deserted with Captain Jack Sparrow?  Or he could party with the boys of ?  Better yet—maybe he could do a musical number from ?

The ballots will be read Sunday, Feb. 24th on ABC.

Read More | People

Ellen DeGeneres to Host Variety Show

Ellen DeGeneres Back in the day, variety shows were all the rage… now, not so much. Ellen DeGeneres hopes to change that with a new variety show on TBS. And really, who better to do it than Ellen? Her huge appeal makes her a natural choice and I’m sure fans of her stand-up and talk show will be tuning in for a glimpse of what could be a fun little show. Ellen’s Really Big Show, as it will be called, will debut on November 18th on TBS—a two-hour special that will be shot during The Comedy Festival earlier in November. The show will feature both music and comedy… and, of course, Ellen. According to DeGeneres, “I’m very happy to be working with TBS. I usually put two TBS of sugar in my coffee every day, so this is a dream come true for me.” Ha! If you liked that line, expect plenty more during the variety show. Michael Wright, TBS programming chief had nothing but praise for DeGeneres, saying, “It’s especially exciting to see her bring back the variety special format, which for decades provided television with some of its most memorable performances.” No details yet on what performers will grace the “really big show,” but it certainly should be an entertaining couple of hours.

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Ellen Interviews From Bed

Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Daytime, Talk Shows, Syndication,

Ellen DeGeneres Is this a history making TV event or what? Well, maybe not, but I’m pretty sure that conducting an interview from a hospital bed is a new one. Ellen DeGeneres, who hurt her back over the weekend when she tried to pick up her dog, was instructed to lay flat while she heals. Not one to quit, she carried on with her show—albeit from a hospital bed in her pajamas. Guests had their own hospital bed to lay in during the interview. DeGeneres told her Tuesday audience, “No, I’m not being lazy. I’m forced to bed rest right now. ... And, let me just start by saying I’m on pills.” One of Ellen’s guests was her doctor, Fred Lerner, who advised her to stay in bed for a week. He also added, “I’m hoping in a few weeks, we can see you dance here.” Here, here.

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Ellen DeGeneres Steals Ryan Seacrest’s Thunder

Ellen DeGeneres With American Idol‘s big Wednesday event, “Idol Gives Back,” you’d think that Ryan Seacrest would be in top hosting form. Turns out, Ellen DeGeneres will be hosting the high-profile gig from the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Check in on Wednesday night from 8:00 - 10:00 to see such big names as Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Gwen Stefani, Celine Dion, Hugh Grant, Jack Black, and more. And of course, all of this is a big telethon to raise funds for the poverty-stricken in Africa and America. Gotta hand it to Idol, this could really rake in some big money. The “Idol Gives Back” performance show is on Tuesday, with the final six duking it out in a “life anthem” theme. When vieweres vote, corporate sponsors will donate money on voters’ behalf. Never fear, Seacrest will be taking care of things from the usual location, with DeGeneres holding down the fort at the Disney Concert Hall.

Read More | Comingsoon.net

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