The Graham Norton Show has faced criticism after Ellen DeGeneres made a television comeback without any obvious reason. The comedian, who stepped back from public life after her talk show was cancelled in 2022 following bullying claims, appeared as a guest on the show last night.
Host Graham Norton even asked the Finding Nemo star: 'Why are you here?' DeGeneres admitted she has no work lined up but said she 'missed' being on television. She elaborated: 'I miss a lot about it, I miss laughing every single day with the writers, I miss the guests, I miss kissing Colin [Farrell], I miss a lot of it. I think about doing something here.'
Viewers question her presence
Despite her flattery for the UK, viewers were not impressed that she had been invited on the show. One critic wrote on X: 'When Ellen Degeneres asks to be on your show, you are more than welcome to say no Graham Norton! In fact. I think everyone implores you to?!' Another agreed: 'Ellen can absolutely eff off! Don't want you in Britain! America didn't want you and we don't either! Jog on!'
A third joked: 'How much did Ellen DeGeneres pay to get on The Graham Norton Show?' Others were confused why she refused to join other guests – Quentin Tarantino, Colin Farrell, and Gemma Chan – in their applause. One viewer joked: 'Ellen not clapping and sitting so ominously in the corner.. evil beaming through the screen #GrahamNorton' while another branded her a 'fun sponge'.
Career highlights and UK move
DeGeneres also touched on milestone moments of her career, including her self-titled sitcom where she was the first openly gay lead on a major international sitcom when the show ran from 1994 to 1998 for five seasons. She recalled: 'In the US they were not very thrilled about my character or me coming out so for it to be celebrated in London was such an honour. To be treated that way when everyone else was done with me was extraordinary.'
DeGeneres and her wife Portia DeRossi moved to the UK in 2024 following the re-election of President Donald Trump. Their £18 million mansion in The Cotswolds was severely damaged by flooding due to Storm Bert. The move came two years after her talk show was cancelled in the US, tarnished by accusations of a 'toxic' environment on set. Viewing figures dwindled, and in 2022, The Ellen DeGeneres Show aired its final episode after 19 seasons.
The Graham Norton Show airs Fridays at 10.35pm on BBC One.
