Start Spreading The News … Ellen Trumps November With A New York Visit And A Boardroom Meeting With “The Donald”
(November 4, 2004 – Burbank, CA) – You never know what will happen on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and this November is no exception, as “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” kicks off Sweeps with a trip to New York and a boardroom meeting with the city’s notorious “firing squad,” “The Apprentice” star and creator Donald Trump. “Donald Trump has summoned me to the boardroom. The Donald wants to see ‘The Ellen,’” reveals DeGeneres. “Look out Donald, ‘cause we’re not gonna be fired.” The talk show host and her very own "apprentice," production assistant Houston, take to the streets of New York City to complete one of Trump’s most challenging assignments yet. Who will impress the billionaire, and who will hear those familiar words, “You’re fired!”
And while Ellen’s in New York, she’ll “RSVP” to one of her gracious fans who responded to the show’s “RSVP Ellen!” segment. While viewers continually invite Ellen to various functions like birthday parties, weddings, bar mitzvahs and christenings, she’s usually unable to attend because of the show's busy taping schedule. Ellen revealed, “I want to travel... I'm cooped up in here, I like it, but I'm in the studio all the time, and I want to mix it up, I want to hang with my peeps....”
Viewers can go to www.ellendegeneres.com to invite Ellen to an upcoming event, explaining why they think she should RSVP “yes.” Adds Ellen, “Let me tell you something – if I haven't been to a party with you, you haven't partied. I'm a party animal!”
November also means entertainment’s biggest stars stop by “The Ellen Degeneres Show,” including:
• THE SILVER SCREEN’S BEST – Samuel L. Jackson (11/5), Jamie Foxx (11/9), Ashley Judd (11/10), Woody Harrelson (11/15), Pierce Brosnan (11/16), Tim Allen (11/23), Gwen Stefani (11/24), Reneé Zellweger (11/26) and Colin Farrell (11/29), make first-time appearances on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Ellen welcomes back show favorites Kate Winslet (11/11), Robert Downey, Jr. (11/29) and Angelina Jolie (12/1).
• CHART-TOPPING MUSICAL GUESTS -- From Elton John (11/8) to Gwen Stefani (11/24) to Lenny Kravitz (11/29), music’s biggest names stop by to perform on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show!” Ellen also welcomes Maroon 5 (11/12), Alicia Keys (11/17), Fantasia (11/22), Chingy (11/23) and Snoop Dog with Pharrell Williams (12/1).
• TELEVISION’S STARS – Ellen welcomes “The O.C.’s” Rachel Bilson (11/5), “Arrested Development” star Jeffrey Tambor (11/9), “One Tree Hill’s” Chad Michael Murray (11/11), “Desperate Housewives” star Teri Hatcher (11/12), chef Jamie Oliver (11/15), “Joey’s” Matt LeBlanc and “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” guru Ty Pennington (11/26).
Additional November Sweeps Programming
“Let Us Host Your Next Event” – You knew “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” was named Outstanding Talk Show at this year’s Daytime Emmy Awards, but did you know the show also had expertise in “party planning?” The week of November 8, Ellen will host a party for one lucky viewer in the show’s Riff-Raff Room. Viewers can apply to get this lucky chance at www.ellendegeneres.com.
“Ellen’s Roving Reporters” – Become an "official" Ellen Correspondent!” Since Ellen can’t RSVP yes to all of the viewers who have invited her to upcoming events, she has found a way to bring the events to her. Ellen asks viewers to find interesting events or stories in their hometowns and then cover them – like an actual news reporter – then send in a one-minute videotape of their story. The show will air selected submissions throughout the month of November. Viewers can download the “Official Ellen DeGeneres Show Roving Reporter Press Kit,” complete with an “Ellen” microphone cover, press badge and credentials, at www.ellendegeneres.com. Tapes can be sent to:
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
P.O. Box 7788
Burbank, CA 91523
Attn: "Ellen’s Roving Reporters" “Ellen on Ice” – November 10 – The Riff-Raff Room has been home to holiday parties, a trampoline and even a bowling alley, but never an ice-skating rink! In honor of “Disney on Ice: Finding Nemo,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show’s” famous Riff-Raff Room is transformed into an ice-skating rink—for a whole week! The Luxury Box Gets a Makeover –Home design guru Thom Filicia (“Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”) lends his make-over magic to “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” completely renovating the “Luxury Box.” This unique box seat in the show’s studio audience, originally built as a gift for Ellen’s mom, Betty, last Mother’s Day, has been “under construction.” Ellen’s Thanks-for-giving Food Drive – On November 3, Ellen announces a food drive for the holidays. Ellen has chosen America’s Second Harvest as her charity of choice for the month of November! In support of America's Second Harvest, the nation’s Food Bank Network and largest food-donation organization, Ellen is holding a "Thanks-for-giving" Food Drive. Throughout November, Ellen asks viewers to start their own food drives and donate to their local food banks. She’s also asking them to donate at least one dollar to America’s Second Harvest. Prizes — including trips to Los Angeles to come to the show and sit in the studio audience Luxury Box — will be awarded throughout the month to viewers who successfully organize their own food drives. In addition, various items throughout the month, such as the “James Spader Spice Rack” and the “Hilary Duff Trampoline,” will be auctioned, with all proceeds going to America’s Second Harvest. A Very Special Thanksgiving Show – On November 24, Ellen welcomes pop-rock sensation Gwen Stefani, making her first daytime talk show appearance. This holiday show is devoted to America’s soldiers serving our country overseas and the studio audience will be entirely filled with friends and family members of deployed military personnel from bases in Miramar, Ft. Irwin and Camp Pendleton. Ellen gives her thanks to the men and women serving our country by teaming up with USO’s Operation Care Package Program to send over 2500 care packages to the military family members of the studio audience. Ellen’s a Waitress! – Ellen serves it up when she becomes a waitress at Art’s Deli in Studio City, California. Houston’s First Movie – Everyone comes to Hollywood with a dream, and production assistant Houston’s dream of becoming a stuntman is about to come true. For his 26th birthday, Ellen is giving Houston the chance of a lifetime by convincing the movie moguls at Warner Bros. to give him a shot and offer him a role in the upcoming “The Dukes of Hazzard” movie. In preparation for the job, and to get his SAG card, Kevin James from “King of Queens” has graciously offered to give Houston an extra role on his hit sitcom. “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” premiered on September 8, 2003 and was the highest-rated freshman syndicated show of the 2003-2004 season. In May, 2004, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” received four Daytime Emmy Awards including Outstanding Talk Show and made Daytime Emmy history, garnering 12 nominations in its first year, more than any other freshman talk show in the history of the Daytime Emmys. Originating from NBC Studios in Los Angeles, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” is produced by A Very Good Production and WAD Productions, Inc. in association with Telepictures Productions and is distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.# # #
P.O. Box 7788
Burbank, CA 91523
Attn: "Ellen’s Roving Reporters" “Ellen on Ice” – November 10 – The Riff-Raff Room has been home to holiday parties, a trampoline and even a bowling alley, but never an ice-skating rink! In honor of “Disney on Ice: Finding Nemo,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show’s” famous Riff-Raff Room is transformed into an ice-skating rink—for a whole week! The Luxury Box Gets a Makeover –Home design guru Thom Filicia (“Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”) lends his make-over magic to “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” completely renovating the “Luxury Box.” This unique box seat in the show’s studio audience, originally built as a gift for Ellen’s mom, Betty, last Mother’s Day, has been “under construction.” Ellen’s Thanks-for-giving Food Drive – On November 3, Ellen announces a food drive for the holidays. Ellen has chosen America’s Second Harvest as her charity of choice for the month of November! In support of America's Second Harvest, the nation’s Food Bank Network and largest food-donation organization, Ellen is holding a "Thanks-for-giving" Food Drive. Throughout November, Ellen asks viewers to start their own food drives and donate to their local food banks. She’s also asking them to donate at least one dollar to America’s Second Harvest. Prizes — including trips to Los Angeles to come to the show and sit in the studio audience Luxury Box — will be awarded throughout the month to viewers who successfully organize their own food drives. In addition, various items throughout the month, such as the “James Spader Spice Rack” and the “Hilary Duff Trampoline,” will be auctioned, with all proceeds going to America’s Second Harvest. A Very Special Thanksgiving Show – On November 24, Ellen welcomes pop-rock sensation Gwen Stefani, making her first daytime talk show appearance. This holiday show is devoted to America’s soldiers serving our country overseas and the studio audience will be entirely filled with friends and family members of deployed military personnel from bases in Miramar, Ft. Irwin and Camp Pendleton. Ellen gives her thanks to the men and women serving our country by teaming up with USO’s Operation Care Package Program to send over 2500 care packages to the military family members of the studio audience. Ellen’s a Waitress! – Ellen serves it up when she becomes a waitress at Art’s Deli in Studio City, California. Houston’s First Movie – Everyone comes to Hollywood with a dream, and production assistant Houston’s dream of becoming a stuntman is about to come true. For his 26th birthday, Ellen is giving Houston the chance of a lifetime by convincing the movie moguls at Warner Bros. to give him a shot and offer him a role in the upcoming “The Dukes of Hazzard” movie. In preparation for the job, and to get his SAG card, Kevin James from “King of Queens” has graciously offered to give Houston an extra role on his hit sitcom. “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” premiered on September 8, 2003 and was the highest-rated freshman syndicated show of the 2003-2004 season. In May, 2004, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” received four Daytime Emmy Awards including Outstanding Talk Show and made Daytime Emmy history, garnering 12 nominations in its first year, more than any other freshman talk show in the history of the Daytime Emmys. Originating from NBC Studios in Los Angeles, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” is produced by A Very Good Production and WAD Productions, Inc. in association with Telepictures Productions and is distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.