Has Ellen DeGeneres become bored with her daytime talk show?

The Guardian

DeGeneres made headlines last month when she hinted she may exit her show when her contract ends in summer 2020. As Diane Shipley argues, in the wake of Ellen's comments, her recent Relatable Netflix special "looked more like an exit strategy than a side hustle." Shipley adds: "Now, DeGeneres boasts a net worth of $400m, a Presidential Medal of Freedom and 30 Emmys. But 16 seasons in, her show has lost its groove. Her post-monologue dance through the studio audience was once a signature set-piece, but she stopped a couple of years ago, without warning or explanation, and now lets her in-house DJ tWitch do the honors or plays a funny video clip instead. She seems a little weary, and the show does, too. Whereas she used to feature talented kids from viral videos in moderation, this year, 11-year-old Walmart yodelling sensation Mason Ramsey practically made her set his second home, and segments highlighting people or organizations in need who are surprised with a large check are well-intended, but feel rushed and formulaic, like a conveyor belt for poverty porn. Worse, DeGeneres too often gives in to her passion for pranks, such as asking Adele to act eccentrically in a juice bar, without seeming to consider whether two multimillionaires jerking around minimum-wage employees for laughs is a good look." Shipley points out that while Ellen's talk show was one of the greatest second acts in show business, she adds: "Let’s hope she has the vision to know when to stop."