Comedian, turned actor, turned talk show host has been entertaining people her entire life. In the 1990’s she became a household name through her popular sitcom, Ellen. The same year as she voiced the lovable fish Dory in the Pixar film Finding Nemo, she also became the host of her own talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show. It’s hard to believe, but that was over 15 years ago.
For over a decade and a half Ellen has entertained and informed audiences thanks to her personable, fun-loving hosting style, and ability to get both celebrity and non-famous guests to share about their lives. It’s no wonder that Ellen has won 30 Emmys and 20 People’s Choice Awards for her work.
While a day on The Ellen DeGeneres Show may seem easy and breezy, there are several rules and expectations set to help keep a consistent quality of content, day after day. After all, Ellen is a professional and it’s her job to ensure that her show remains popular. Guests on the show are prepared in advance so they can give the fans, and Ellen the right experience. These are 20 rules that Ellen DeGeneres forces her guests to follow when they appear on her show, no matter how famous they are.
20 Don't Follow The Rules? Get The Boot!
As a stand-up comedian Ellen understands humour, but that doesn’t mean that she’s going to allow it to interfere with her principles. In 2011, Vince Vaughn delivered some homophobic jokes in his film The Dilemma, and Ellen wasn’t having any part of it. Because of this Ellen temporarily banned him from coming onto her show.
19 Be Prepared To Play A Game Of Never Have I
The party game ‘Never Have I Ever’ is usually used among close friends, which is what makes the use of it on Ellen’s show so entertaining. Ellen asks everything from questions about using celebrity status to get out of speeding tickets to whether co-stars will film in the buff. Since Ellen busts out this game regularly, guests need to be prepared to answer some personal questions and reveal a lot about themselves in front of a live studio and TV audience.
18 No Cell Phones, Period
When you’re on TV it’s bad manners to have your phone go off, period. Just like when you’re at the movie theatres, shut it off! Ellen doesn’t want anyone taking out their phone while they’re on the air being interviewed with her, that is unless they want to take a celebrity selfie, but more on that later!
17 Need To Be In Her Inner Circle
As a part of her job and being a veteran with over 40 years in the industry, she needs to network. This means she wants to meet and get acquainted with other celebrities, and that’s who she invites onto her show. Interviews on her show are so much better when she’s friends or at least knows the people who she’s interviewing on air. This gives her more insight and great chemistry with her guests, and usually the closer she is with the person she’s interviewing, the more fun the experience is for everyone.
16 Be Able To Keep Up With The Kardashians
Even celebrities get star struck, and for Ellen that means The Kardashians. Before guests appear on her show, they’d do well to do a little reading up on the famous family, since Ellen regularly mentions and asks questions about them all the time. It’s best to prepare a little something to say about Ellen’s favourite celeb family to keep her happy and the audience entertained.
15 Ellen Must Like You In Real Life
Despite appearing on Ellen’s sitcom in the 1990’s Ellen and Kathy Griffin have never been besties. In her book, Griffin mentions an unnamed talk show host, with short blonde hair who she implies isn’t very nice. Ellen bit back during a W Magazine Profile in US Weekly and said, "I know [Griffin] had a big thing about wanting to be on the show. … She did a whole thing that I banned her from the show. I didn't ban her from the show, because first you have to be on the show to be banned."
14 Make A Repeat Appearance
People who Ellen loves stop by the show on the regular. Fan favourites are also her closest friends off camera. Naturally her wife is on the air, but so are her best friends who visit as guests, performers, and even guest co-hosts. Want to know who she’s closest with? Jennifer Aniston has been on the show 18 times, Pam Anderson 10 times, Oprah Winfrey 10 times, and Justin Timberlake 16 times.
13 Dish About Your Love Life
Since Ellen knows most of her guests, she can prepare them for what she’s going to ask, and viewers love it when she gets them to talk about dating or their latest big relationship. Everyone from Rihanna to Drew Barrymore have talked to Ellen about looking for love. In a 2018 interview Barrymore candidly told Ellen, "I heard Amy Schumer saying she met her boyfriend on there. One night, I'm flying home by myself and I'm like, 'Screw it, I'm going to fulfill my fantasy and go on a dating app!'"
12 No Foul Language Allowed
A daytime show has certain rules and Ellen makes sure that her guests follow them. Cursing isn’t technically allowed on late night shows, although the censors are a little laxer on what they will and won’t allow on night shows compared to Ellen’s, which is early in the day. Even the king of F-Bombs, Mr. Samuel L. Jackson needs to keep his potty mouth in check when he’s visiting Ellen.
11 Dress Down For The Show
While some guests like to dress to the nine, most guests follow her lead and dress in a business casual or casual way when they are on the show. This allows viewers yet another glimpse at ‘the real them’ and lets them be comfortable, as most people don’t want to be in a sequined gown while they chat and sip their morning coffee, if they’re at home or on Ellen’s show.
