Throwback Thursday: Ellen’s Game of Games (2017-Present)

TV game shows are a dime a dozen. A part of the television landscape since the beginning of the medium, the variety of programming within this genre is nearly endless.

Ellen’s Game of Games has been part of the NBC schedule since 2017. Hosted by Ellen Degeneres, the games the contestants play are an outsized version of the games that are played on her daytime talk show. As per the standard structure of this type of program, the participants are put through their paces in hopes of walking away with a cash prize by the end of the episode.

Obviously, there is enough of an audience that has kept this show on for a few years. But I have yet to find it appealing. I can’t put my finger on it, but I just don’t enjoy it.

Do I recommend it? Not really.

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Thoughts On the Ellen Show Controversy, Mental Illness, and Toxic Workplaces

Anyone who has been in the working world for enough time would easily be able to list the issues they have with their current job or had with previous jobs. But there is difference between the average complaint and a toxic workplace.

Actress and comedian Ellen DeGeneres has hosted her own talk show for the last 17 years. A mainstay of daytime TV, Ellen comes off as the best friend the audience wish they could have. But recently, the reputation of the show and it’s namesake has been tarred by complaints of mistreatment of behind the scenes staff.

As of Friday, three of the program’s producers were fired and Ellen has since apologized.

Working in a toxic environment is akin to psychological torture. Logically, you know that you need the paycheck and the benefits that come with the job. But, at a certain point, it becomes a question of whether or not it is worth your mental health to continue at a job in which you are seen as worthless and incapable.

Over the past few years, the subject of mental health has become a topic that has come to the forefront. I’ve spoken many times on this blog about the importance of being mentally healthy and physically healthy. Part of that is feeling respected and appreciated at work.

Unfortunately, this will not be the first company, nor will this be the last company to create a less than ideal working environment for their staff. I just hope that this is a lesson on how not to treat your staff.

Ellen DeGeneres and George W. Bush Are Friends: What is the Big Deal?

It’s one thing to disagree with someone over a political or cultural issue. It’s another thing to completely disassociate yourself with anyone who does not see the world in the same way that you do.

The most recent kerfuffle is that talk show host/actress/comic Ellen DeGeneres hung out with former President George W. Bush (R-Texas). Some have criticized the talk show host for choosing to spend her free time with the 43rd President.

Honestly, I don’t get what the big deal is. If Ellen wants to spend her free time with George Bush, that is her prerogative. Yes, she is a celebrity, but that does not mean that she must listen to the crowd when it comes to who her friends are.

And frankly, this friendship is a very good thing from my perspective. If a gay liberal performer and a straight conservative former President can kick back and relax together, why can’t the rest of the country do the same?

It’s obvious that our country is divided among several political and cultural fault lines. The problem is that we are unwilling to step over those lines and try to see the human being under the label of liberal and conservative. Until we do so, this country will remain as it is today.

Throwback Thursday-The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003-Present)

Daytime TV talk shows, especially the ones where the guests are performers hawking their next project can be pretty mundane. It is there, up to the host to add color, life and a distinct personality to the show.

The Ellen DeGeneres Show has been on the air since 2003. Hosted by actor/comic Ellen DeGeneres, this talk show blends the traditional elements of a daytime talk show with games, audience participation and other segments.

Though I am not home to watch this show, when I do, I find myself enjoying it. As a host, Ellen is engaging, personal and feels more like a friend than a daytime talk show host.

I recommend it.

Thank You Ellen DeGeneres

Sometimes, for the world to change, it takes one brave person to step forward.

20 years ago this week, Ellen DeGeneres came out of the closet, both on-screen and in real life.

In an episode titled “The Puppy Episode”, Ellen comes out of the closet to her therapist (played by Oprah Winfrey), to her crush Susan (played by guest star Laura Dern) and to the world.

It was nothing short of world-changing. Coming out of the closet is far from easy, but Ellen made it that much easier. The influence of that single sentence heard around the world is priceless. Without Ellen, not only would LGBTQ fictional characters remain secondary characters, but people in the closet in real life might never have had the courage to be themselves and fight for their rights.

Thank you Ellen DeGeneres for being yourself and encouraging others to do the same. Our world is a better place because of you.

Happy Birthday Gilda Radner

Last night, I wished a happy 90th birthday to Mel Brooks.

What I did not know is that June 28th is also the birthday of another legendary Jewish comic, the late Gilda Radner.

Born in 1946, Gilda Radner is remembered as part of the original cast of Saturday Night Live, then known as the not ready for prime time players. Standing on the shoulders of Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett, Gilda paved the way for the careers of Tina Fey, Rosie O’Donnell, Ellen Degeneres, Amy Schumer, Roseanne and other female comedians. While some of her characters were broad and perhaps a little on the annoying side, other characters were sweet and maybe a little naive.

After leaving Saturday Night Live, Gilda acted in several movies, including Haunted Honeymoon(1986), with her husband, Gene Wilder. She left this world in 1989, dying from ovarian cancer. After her death, Gilda’s Club was established as a support system for those fighting cancer.

Happy Birthday Gilda, wherever you are.

Bruce Jenner Interview

I know that I’ve stated in past posts that there is one family whom will never be mentioned again this blog, but they seem to pop up more than I care to admit.

This time, their overexposure might actually do some good.

This past Friday, Diane Sawyer interviewed Bruce Jenner, the patriarch of this non talented, famous for being famous family came out as transgender.

While I could care less what the rest of his family says or does, I applaud him. It takes guts to be yourself, it takes even more guts when you are in the public eye.

I was in high school when the Ellen Degeneres came out, on and off screen.

It was an earth shattering moment. Not just for the entertainment industry, but for the entire world.

Sometimes it only takes one person to make a huge difference.

Ellen’s public coming out, as personal as I imagine that it was for her, opened the door to a better world.

Bruce’s public coming out, as personal as I imagine his struggles to be, have opened the door even further to a better world.