Australia’s soon to be hottest celebrity visitor, Ellen DeGeneres, celebrated her visit down under next week by signing an extension to her contract with NBC America.
The popular daytime talk show has been extended until 2017 to NBC owned television stations as well as 179 other stations, representing 96% of the United States.
"Ellen is quite simply the best," said Ken Werner, President of Warner Bros Domestic Television Distribution.
"Day in and day out she and her team produce a unique and compelling hour of entertainment which is ‘must see’ television for legions of women. We are absolutely thrilled that NBC, The Ellen Show, Warner Bros. and all of our station partners will be continuing our successful relationship for years to come."
The Ellen Show ties Dr Phil as the top-rated syndicated talk show for women aged 25-54 years in the USA. It's managed to stay strong during one of its most challenging seasons.
"The Ellen Show is having its best season ever during the tenth anniversary of the show. It is a testament to Ellen’s brilliance as a talent and our extraordinary production team," said Hilary Estey McLoughlin, President of Telepictures Productions.
"We are so proud of the show and grateful for all the support and partnership of NBC and all of our stations. We look forward to collaborating with them to build Ellen to even greater success in the years ahead."
IN an interview with Tracey Grimshaw of A Current Affair, DeGeneres confessed that her decision to come out in her 1997 sitcom Ellen cost her three years employment, almost bankrupted the star but gave her the time to come back stronger.
"I was so mad that I lost my show, and not just my show but for three years I didn't have any offers.
"I mean literally the phone did not ring for three years and I had no money.''
She said her hugely popular talk show, now in its 10th season, got off to a shaky start with some TV executives unsure how the lesbian would relate to the audience of mostly housewives.
But her positivity has not only won a variety of viewers, but is now syndicated to 23 countries.
"I think what saved me is me being honest and I think I somehow had the courage to do something and say something that I knew would possibly end my career and instead of making business more important I made my soul and my life more important and I think by being honest that saved me.''
DeGeneres arrives in Australia next Monday from Los Angeles accompanied by her Australian wife, Portia de Rossi and her crew occupying the entire first class cabin of the Qantas A380. While on board, DeGeneres and de Rossi will enjoy the first-hand dining of Qantas consultant chef, Neil Perry.
Local tourism officials have been fighting to host the posse, with plans for a Sydney Harbour cruise, another outside broadcast at the Opera House and a private resort getaway to Queensland.
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