Ellen Degeneres Gets Big
Emmy®-winning talk show host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres is bringing her winning personality to TBS this November, when she presents ELLEN’S REALLY BIG SHOW, according to an announcement made today by Michael Wright, senior vice president in charge of the Content Creation Group for TBS, TNT and TCM. The two-hour variety special will feature performances by top talents from the worlds of comedy and music. It will be shot at HBO and AEG Live’s The Comedy Festival (TCF) at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, for which TBS serves as title sponsor. It will then premiere on TBS Sunday, Nov. 18.
“We are truly thrilled to be working with the enormously talented Ellen DeGeneres on her first TBS special,” said Wright. “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.”
DeGeneres added, “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.”
The third annual edition of The Comedy Festival will take place Nov. 14-17 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Continuing its tradition of presenting comedy’s biggest stars and cutting-edge talent, the four-day event will feature multi-artist performances, tributes, stand-up comedy, sketch comedy and televised special events. The Comedy Festival will take place in several venues throughout Caesars Palace, including the Palace Ballroom, which is being converted into the TBS Very Funny Theater. ELLEN’S REALLY BIG SHOW will be shot in the renowned Caesars Palace Colosseum.
DeGeneres has taken home three Emmys® as Outstanding Talk Show Host for The Ellen DeGeneres Show and four for Outstanding Talk Show. She began her career as a stand-up comedian and has headlined a number of award-winning specials. In 1994, she starred in her own series, Ellen, which was followed up by The Ellen Show. DeGeneres also used her distinctive voice to bring the absent-minded Dory to life in the hit animated film Finding Nemo. She is also well known for her appearances as commercial spokeswoman for American Express and her hosting of the 57th Annual Emmy Awards and the 79th Annual Academy Awards®.
About TBS
TBS, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is television’s “very funny” network. It serves as home to such hot contemporary comedies as Sex and the City, Everybody Loves Raymond, Family Guy, King of Queens, Seinfeld and Friends; original comedy series like My Boys, The Bill Engvall Show, Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, 10 Items or Less and Frank TV; specials and special events, such as Funniest Commercials of the Year and The Comedy Festival in Las Vegas; blockbuster movies; and hosted movie showcases.
About The Comedy Festival
In its first two years, more than 100,000 people have attended The Comedy Festival. Highlights include stand-up performances by Jon Stewart, Dave Chappelle, Dane Cook, Bill Maher, Carlos Mencia and Sarah Silverman, as well as special event presentations of The Comedian Award to Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog’s Poopapalooza and Don Rickles’ receipt of the first Caesars Palace Laurel Award. Past television highlights include a 2006 airing of the 20th anniversary of Comic Relief (HBO and TBS), starring Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams, with special appearances by Ray Romano, George Lopez and Susie Essman and the cast of Entourage; A Salute to the Troops and USO (TBS) with special guests Kid Rock and Carmen Electra; and 2005’s Earth to America (TBS), with Will Ferrell, Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Larry David, Steve Martin and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The Comedy Festival evolved from the foundation HBO laid out at the annual U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen. Joining forces with live event producer AEG Live and title sponsor TBS, HBO presented the inaugural TCF in 2005.
