Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres started performing at comedy clubs in the early 1980s, and by 1986, had established herself as a successful comedian with her first appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Her comedy routines parlayed into the successful sitcom Ellen in the mid-1990s. She attempted another less popular sitcom before premiering The Ellen DeGeneres Show in September 2003.

On Thursday, July 29th, 2010, Ellen announced that she will be departing from American Idol, the popular performance television show. She leaves behind a five year contract as one of the judges. This had been her first season judging and she had said that it was hard to hurt the feelings of the young singers who were voted off each week.http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/30/arts/television/30ellen.html?src=twt&twt=nytimes

Possible replacement judges that have been mentioned include; Justin Timberlake, Jessica Simpson, Harry Connick Jr., Jennifer Lopez, Elton John. Fox has not officially commented, but a press conference is scheduled on Monday August 2nd, 2010.http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/30/arts/television/30ellen.html?src=twt&twt=nytimes

Despite competition in her time slot, The Ellen DeGeneres Show premiered with strong ratings and was nominated for 11 Daytime Emmys in its first season.

DeGeneres dances as a primary feature on the show, often during commercial breaks. The show's style sometimes resembles a late night comedy show rather than a daytime talk show. For example, DeGeneres hosted the show from a hospital bed in May 2007 because of a back injury and asked her guests to sit in hospital beds as well during the interviews.

In the May 16, 2008, broadcast of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, DeGeneres told the audience that she and de Rossi would "tie the knot." The audience gave a standing ovation. According to US Magazine, the couple held a small wedding on August 16th in 2008 with friends and family.US Magazine: Ellen DeGeneres and Fiancee Portia De Rossi to Wed This Weekend (August 14, 2008) The pair had been dating since late-2004.

• Note: The majority of the links in this timeline are to IMDb, which has pop-ups.

• January 26, 1958: Born

• 1993: Coneheads

• 1994-1998: Ellen

• 1996: Mr. Wrong

• 1998: Doctor Dolittle

• 1999: Edtv

• 2001-2002: The Ellen Show

• 2003: Finding Nemo

• 2003: Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show