Ellen DeGeneres is the latest A-list comedian headed to Netflix.
The comic and longtime talk-show host is teaming with the streaming giant for her first stand-up special in 15 years.
DeGeneres first announced the special Wednesday on Twitter.
Let me think about it. Ok I’m in. https://t.co/kUAdHyXAjS
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) May 24, 2017
Looks like it’s been 15 years since you did a stand-up special, @TheEllenShow. How about one for Netflix?
— Netflix US (@netflix) May 24, 2017
She later went into detail about the special when Thursday’s episode of her daytime show.
“Earlier this week, I got a Tweet from the people at Netflix and I have good news and bad news. The bad news is they wouldn’t tell me what happened to Barb on Stranger Things, but the good news is they asked if I was interested in doing a stand-up special. I said I’m going to have to think about it and then 30 seconds later I said yes,” she said. “It has been 15 years since I did a stand-up special. 15 years. And I’m writing it now, I can’t wait. I’ll keep you posted when and where I’m gonna shoot my Netflix special. I’m excited to do it; I’m excited for you to see it. And now, each one of you, you get to Netflix & chill with me. How about that?”
DeGeneres is the latest in a long line of high-profile comedians with stand-up specials at Netflix. The others include Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Chappelle, Amy Schumer, Sarah Silverman, Louis C.K., Tracy Morgan and Kevin James, who is also returning to stand-up after a long absence from the format.
Related Stories
Netflix has been aggressive in its push into the stand-up space in recent years, where it faces competitors including HBO, Comedy Central and Showtime, among others. The streamer has been paying top dollar for its talent, with Rock’s two-special deal netting him $40 million.
This is the second collaboration for DeGeneres and Netflix. She is exec producing an animated children’s series, Green Eggs and Ham, that was ordered to series by the streamer in 2015 and is set to debut in 2018.
For DeGeneres, her return to stand-up comes in the midst of her continued success in daytime, with her self-titled talk show currently renewed through 2020. Her move away from stand-up coincided with the launch of the show in 2003.
Related Stories
DeGeneres recently drew headlines for the 20th anniversary of her landmark coming-out episode on her former ABC primetime show Ellen, which drew guests including Oprah Winfrey, who was a guest star on the seminal installment, titled “The Puppy Episode.”
In addition to her daytime show, DeGeneres has also hosted the Oscars, Emmys and Grammys in recent years and was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016. Her other awards include the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, a Peabody award and an Emmy.
Watch DeGeneres discuss her stand-up special below:
May 24, 12:15 p.m: Updated with comment from DeGeneres and video.
