It's called 'Ellen's Bigger, Longer and Wider Show' -- and Ellen DeGeneres' variety show, in its third year, promises to be just that. As part of TBS' annual Very Funny Festival, Ellen heads to Chicago for an over-the-top night of live music, dancers, comedians and oddball acts that airs on Sat., June 27. Kanye West is set to perform; David Blaine will hit the streets to show off his unique brand of magic; and Nick Cannon will man the DJ booth.
The jokester chatted it up with AOL TV via conference call about leaving standup behind (for now), why she's such a fan of Adam Lambert and whether she and partner Portia de Rossi are planning to start a family anytime soon. -- By Katy Kroll
You've had some great success with the variety format, but other celebrities haven't done as well with it. Why do you think that is? And were you ever nervous about tackling the format?
No. I mean, this is something I wanted to do before I did my second sitcom. I really wanted to do a variety show, and we did a pilot, which didn't get picked up. I really was sad because it was sort of a Larry Sanders version of a variety show, so it was me hosting a variety show and then behind the scenes of the variety show. But this is something I've wanted to do. I mean, I grew up watching Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In, Carol Burnett, Sonny and Cher and Donny and Marie. I loved those shows. So it's just something I've always been drawn to, and it kind of has something for everybody. Now it seems like a lot of people are doing it and, you know, who's to say why anything works when one person does it and doesn't work for somebody else? I really couldn't tell you. But we've been fortunate that whatever we're doing is working, so I'm very grateful for that. I have fun doing it; it's just something different to do than my show every single day.
Ellen DeGeneres Photos
Kanye West and Ellen DeGeneres speak on stage at Ellen's Bigger Longer & Wider Show during TBS presents A Very Funny Festival: Just For Laughs at the Chicago Theatre on June 17, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. 18462_0177.JPG.TBS Presents Just For Laughs Chicago – Ellen's Bigger Longer & Wider Show.The Chicago Theatre.Chicago, IL United States.June 17, 2009.Photo by Jason Kempin/WireImage.com..To license this image (16843202), contact WireImage.com
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Ellen DeGeneres performs on stage at Ellen's Bigger Longer & Wider Show during TBS presents A Very Funny Festival: Just For Laughs at the Chicago Theatre on June 17, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. 18462_0030.JPG.TBS Presents Just For Laughs Chicago – Ellen's Bigger Longer & Wider Show.The Chicago Theatre.Chicago, IL United States.June 17, 2009.Photo by Jason Kempin/WireImage.com..To license this image (16843036), contact WireImage.com
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Ellen DeGeneres performs on stage at Ellen's Bigger Longer & Wider Show during TBS presents A Very Funny Festival: Just For Laughs at the Chicago Theatre on June 17, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. 18462_0030.JPG.TBS Presents Just For Laughs Chicago – Ellen's Bigger Longer & Wider Show.The Chicago Theatre.Chicago, IL United States.June 17, 2009.Photo by Jason Kempin/WireImage.com..To license this image (16843036), contact WireImage.com
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Ellen DeGeneres performs on stage at Ellen's Bigger Longer & Wider Show during TBS presents A Very Funny Festival: Just For Laughs at the Chicago Theatre on June 17, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. 18462_0021.JPG.TBS Presents Just For Laughs Chicago – Ellen's Bigger Longer & Wider Show.The Chicago Theatre.Chicago, IL United States.June 17, 2009.Photo by Jason Kempin/WireImage.com..To license this image (16843044), contact WireImage.com
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Ellen DeGeneres performs on stage at Ellen's Bigger Longer & Wider Show during TBS presents A Very Funny Festival: Just For Laughs at the Chicago Theatre on June 17, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. 18462_0024.JPG.TBS Presents Just For Laughs Chicago – Ellen's Bigger Longer & Wider Show.The Chicago Theatre.Chicago, IL United States.June 17, 2009.Photo by Jason Kempin/WireImage.com..To license this image (16843043), contact WireImage.com
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Ellen DeGeneres performs on stage at Ellen's Bigger Longer & Wider Show during TBS presents A Very Funny Festival: Just For Laughs at the Chicago Theatre on June 17, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. 18462_0013.JPG.TBS Presents Just For Laughs Chicago – Ellen's Bigger Longer & Wider Show.The Chicago Theatre.Chicago, IL United States.June 17, 2009.Photo by Jason Kempin/WireImage.com..To license this image (16843035), contact WireImage.com
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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 18: Actresses Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi. speak onstage at the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards held at NOKIA Theatre LA LIVE on April 18, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 18: Actresses Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi. speak onstage at the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards held at NOKIA Theatre LA LIVE on April 18, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Comedian Ellen DeGeneres and actress Portia de Rossi attend the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at The Nokia Theatre on April 18, 2009 on Los Angeles, California..20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards - Show.The Nokia Theatre.Los Angeles, CA United States.April 18, 2009.Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic.com..To license this image (57219381), contact FilmMagic.com
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Comedian Ellen DeGeneres and actress Portia de Rossi attend the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at The Nokia Theatre on April 18, 2009 on Los Angeles, California..20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards - Show.The Nokia Theatre.Los Angeles, CA United States.April 18, 2009.Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic.com..To license this image (57219377), contact FilmMagic.com
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When you do standup, it's just you up there on the stage. While in the variety show format, you share the stage with a bunch of people. So what are some of the joys of each format for you? And will your standup fans still get their Ellen fix from the variety show?
I'm asked a lot to do standup again or go to Vegas and it's something I'm not really ready to go back to. I don't want to say never, but I did it for so long that I was so happy to move into another venue, another format. I love doing the talk show because I get to come out and do a monologue, and then talk to people -- and still get to be funny or serious whenever I feel like it. And with the variety show, I'll do a monologue, probably 5 to 10 minutes of standup and then I'll interact in between each act. Someday I may go back to doing another standup gig once in a while. I don't know. I keep setting the bar higher and higher for myself, and I think I'm more critical of the quality of work and what I do. I try to pick very carefully what I do so that I can do it as best I can.
You finally landed George Clooney this year after a campaign for him. Who's next on your most wanted list for a guest on your show?I don't know. We keep talking about who's next. Well the next thing you know we set was the quest to get on the cover of O magazine, and then that happened. That happened too fast for me. I really planned on milking that thing for about 3 or 4 years. So now that's happening, and I got to come up with ... maybe Fish and Game? But I don't know what the next quest is, but certainly when we start season 7, we'll let you know.
What do you think about Adam Lambert's Rolling Stone and the 20/20 interviews?
Well obviously you're talking to somebody who is a big believer in being truthful, just because it's the healthiest thing that you can do for yourself, and it's not trying to be anything other than honest. And you know also as a byproduct of that, you're helping other people that are struggling. You know, we've seen recently in the press how many kids have killed themselves because of being bullied and teased at school. And so whenever there's somebody that is successful and talented and happy and openly gay, I think that sends a really positive message for all these kids out there that are struggling. I mean, you know, in this business alone, there are so many closeted people still, so I'm proud of him. I'm happy for anyone who has the guts to actually tell the world who they are, and not fear that they're going to lose their career or alienate anybody.
Now that you and Portia are married, will you have kids anytime soon?
No, I don't think we're going to have kids. We have animals, and we love them. They don't talk back, and they don't explore their vocal chords out in public. And, you know, we are brand new aunts. Her brother and his wife just had a baby girl who's a month old now, and it's fun to be a part of that. But no, I think, you know, we definitely thought about it. And it's something I think most people, as a relationship goes on, explore. But it's just a huge responsibility, and I don't know that that's something we want to take on. We're very happily married without children.
2009 Summer TV: New Series
The heat of summer is matched only by the hot new TV shows we'll be seeing this season.
We've got the scoop on the return of familiar faces ('Nurse Jackie''s Edie Falco), the next cable hits ('Hawthorne'; 'Hung'), the new reality shows ('The Bachelorette'; 'Kendra') and more that will have everyone talking.
See all of this year's new shows in our 2009 Summer TV gallery.
TNT / HBO
'The Bachelorette'
Premiered: Mon., May 18, 9PM (ABC)
Premise: Jillian Harris, who finished third on last season of 'The Bachelor,' gives love a second chance with the help of a whopping 30 potential suitors -- hopefully none of whom resemble Jason Mesnick. As usual, men are eliminated week by week until Jillian finds her Prince Charming -- or at the very least, a spot on next season's 'Dancing With the Stars.'
Related Links
ABC
'Mental'
Starring: Chris Vance, Annabella Sciorra
Premieres: Fri., May 22, 9PM (Fox)
Premise: Vance ('Prison Break') stars as Jack Gallagher, an unorthodox psychologist who butts heads with his conservative boss, Nora Skoff (Sciorra), in this medical mystery thriller. Oh, did we mention they used to date? That'll complicate things, we bet.
Related Links
Fox
'Royal Pains'
Starring: Mark Feuerstein, Campbell Scott
Premieres: Thu., June 4, 10PM (USA)
Premise: The Hamptons: home to some of the richest people in America ... and the people who work for them. Hank Lawson (Feuerstein) is the latter, a doctor whose career hits a little snag (um, if you call getting blamed for the death of a hospital head honcho "little"), getting him demoted from hot-shot healthcare provider to on-call private practitioner for the wealthy -- and incredibly needy -- elite.
Related Links
USA Network
'Nurse Jackie'
Starring: Edie Falco, Eve Best, Peter Facinelli
Premieres: Mon., June 8, 10:30PM (Showtime)
Premise: Falco stars in this deeply dark comedy about an ER nurse whose cynical outlook on life is tempered only by the prescription painkillers she snorts -- and the occasional life she saves. Compared to Jackie, Carmela Soprano's a softie.
Related Links
Showtime
'Kendra'
Premieres: Sun., June 7, 10PM (E!)
Premise: 'Girls Next Door' alum Kendra Wilkinson gets her own reality show, focusing on life after living in the Playboy mansion and her engagement to football player Hank Baskett. There'll surely be plenty of Kendra's signature half-shirts and cutesy Elmer Fudd-style laugh to go around.
Related Links
Getty Images
'Top Chef Masters'
Premieres: Wed., June 10, 10PM (Bravo)
Premise: Anyone who thinks 'Top Chef' is full of amateurs or who only watches the show for its guest judges ... well, 'Top Chef Masters' is for you. This time around, the contestants are renowned chefs (as opposed to TV-famous chefs) such as Wylie Dufresne (pictured), Rick Bayless, Jonathan Waxman and Hubert Keller, all of them competing for charity. We can't wait to see what they'll make using only a pack of Chiclets and a hot plate.
Related Links
Getty Images
'Wedding Day'
Premieres: Tue., June 16, 8PM (TNT)
Premise: Think 'Extreme Makeover: Wedding Edition.' Deserving couples from across the country are awarded the most amazing wedding celebrations by celebrity event planner Alan Dunn and wedding planner to the stars Diann Valentine.
Related Links
TNT
'Hawthorne'
Starring: Jada Pinkett Smith, Michael Vartan
Premieres: Tue., June 16, 9PM (TNT)
Premise: As the newest strong female lead in the TNT lineup, Pinkett Smith plays Christina Hawthorne, a tough-as-nails nurse who is determined to give every patient in her Richmond, Va., hospital the best care possible. Christina's got baggage -- she's a widower left raising a rebellious teenage daughter -- but she also has heart. And, of course, some chemistry with the head of oncology (Vartan).
Related Links
TNT
'Merlin'
Starring: Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Anthony Head
Premieres: Sun., June 21, 8PM (NBC)
Premise: Morgan and James star as Merlin and Arthur, respectively, in this teen-drama take on the Arthurian legend. The future king's ladylove, Guinevere, is called Gwen -- expect angst and romantic tension aplenty. Think of it as 'Camelot, 90210.'
Related Links
NBC
Reader Comments (237)
Barbara at 6:12AM on Jun 25th 2009
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Cannon Hall at 6:29AM on Jun 25th 2009
Suprise Suprise Allen De Generes and her partner won't be having kids and guess why? one of them does not have a male organ regardless for the job.
Regardless of how politcally incorrect my statement is, why bore us with their self indulgent lives? they contribute nothing to humanity. Send them both to Australia
bill at 11:23AM on Jul 26th 2009
Ellen is a very mentally sick person! Portia is not really gay, she is in it for the money. Ellen is the want to be MAN of the relationship. This is sick as can be and I pray that Ellen will find a good Doctor to get some Medication for her sickness. Hollywood keeps forcing this sick crap on people.
fairtax at 6:35AM on Jun 25th 2009
Can you put some more stuff about Korea attacking us. No offense -but that is what I want to hear or read. Not about two gay girls wanting to have kids. Ellen has a good show-but we dont watch it for her personal life. Like Rock Hudson and Brad Pitt --we dont care what they do behind the door.
Mary at 11:22PM on Jun 26th 2009
I look at the headlines of this story, and ask God, what has this world come to? Will these two women? have children? So very exceptable, no problem? Thank you Hollywood, anything goes,,,,We have been brainwashed, neutralized and and underminded by these perverts, and now our kids are not even questioning these comments. May God have mercy on our nation, we have become immoral to the point of destuction, and my friend, our day will come, when we all shall give an account.
forty years ago, the human race would have fallen over, to see what has happpened to our Godly homes, and prayer, respect for a maker that made everything perfect. We are now a mentally neutralized society, anything goes and exceptable. Well my dear friends an awakening will come, and woe be unto those that have participated in destroying Godly laws,respect and living, I didn't say those words the Bible did. These two women are just a few, I have watched these people go to any length to look like a man, dress like one and talk like one, but one thing we know for sure, God didn't make any mistakes. We can call it ignorance, but there is no ignorance, we have Gods book of instrutions to tell us how to live a good moral life, and then we can call heven our home, otherwise we can call hell our destiny. May our all powerful loving God have mercy on us each day.
bitenspank at 6:42AM on Jun 25th 2009
Oh people, Please! Raising kids isn't about gender, or sexual orientation, it is about LOVE! You people need to open your minds a little, this world would be a much better place without idiots like your way of thinking. My hope for you is that someday your child tells your their gay. Then you'll know what unconditional love is!!
alix at 6:43AM on Jun 25th 2009
When a society starts making the abnormal the norm, it is surely on its way to destruction. This condition is certainly physiological. To increase profit, the food producers bombard our food with hormones to produce more milk, more eggs, bigger chickens.....Capitalism is a mortal sin.
Mike at 6:44AM on Jun 25th 2009
Just what are children need. Why does AOL have to put this crap on the internet. The network needs to get her off the airwaves. Bad example for the kids
Mary at 6:48AM on Jun 25th 2009
Thank you so much Cannon Hall and Bill!! Stand up for whats right, not what Hollywood says us right! They don't get my air time, at all never,,,,notta in my home!It does not matter how much money they have or whom they may be,you can't change what God has made, but you sure can make a fool of yourself, trying, poor Ellen, all the mens suits she wears,won't change nothing, Thank you, our Almighty awesome God!
Jennifer at 6:53AM on Jun 25th 2009
This is a Reply to Cannon Halls Rude comment...
I am a lesbian myself and me and my long time girlfriend haave a child together and are planning on more even though neither me or er have the as you put it "male organ" Nessicary to do the task.. but there are many medical possiblities... Mind you you say they contribute nothing to humanity whenthey have givin money to numerous charities and im sure you dont sit on your pompous ass and do that so honestly you should be sent to Australia instead of ELLEN and Portia