Ellen DeGeneres Returning to Stand-up Comedy with Netflix Special
Photos by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty, Christopher Polk/Getty Comedy News Ellen Degeneres
None other than Ellen DeGeneres will headline a Netflix comedy special, the streaming giant announced yesterday.
The effort would become one of the streamer’s many exclusive stand-up specials, not to mention the first one for DeGeneres in 15 years.
Netflix has recently made deals with (or already released specials for) top-tier talent like Chris Rock, Tracy Morgan, Jerry Seinfeld and Louis C.K., shelling out roughly $40 million for Rock’s two-part special. The company isn’t showing any signs of slowing down their acquisitions of A-list comedy acts.
A statement from DeGeneres reads, “It has been 15 years since I did a stand-up special. 15 years. And I’m writing it now, I can’t wait. I’ll keep you posted when and where I’m gonna shoot my Netflix special. I’m excited to do it; I’m excited for you to see it.”
DeGeneres’ last stand-up special was for HBO in the 2003 Ellen DeGeneres: Here and Now before she transitioned into hosting her daytime show, going into its fifteenth season after winning 59 total Daytime Emmy Awards.
In November 2016 President Obama presented DeGeneres with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.