“Ellen’s Really Big Show” came about when TBS - which has been pouring a lot of time and money into original comedy programming in recent months - approached DeGeneres about doing a special.
“We were trying to figure out what kind of special,” including the possibility of a one-woman standup show, DeGeneres says. “But standup to me is just daunting. It just takes me so long to write a special and then go get it ready to air.”
But DeGeneres kept coming back to variety “because I really miss the variety show. I miss ‘Carol Burnett,’ I miss ‘The Smothers Brothers,’ I miss all those shows.
“Ellen’s Really Big Show” has some big names: Mary J. Blige, Sheryl Crow, Barry Manilow and Lyle Lovett & His Large Band (which will be the house band for the special). But much of the 90 minutes will be taken up with acts that would not have been out of place on the old “Ed Sullivan Show,” including young comics, magician Lance Burton, acrobats, a jump-rope team and a Beatles tribute band.
DeGeneres’ hope is that Monday’s special might lead to “Ellen’s Really Big Show” becoming a regular part of the TBS schedule.
“I’ve already mentioned to TBS that if this works, I would love to do it on a regular basis. Things seem to be cyclical in TV, and maybe it’s only a matter of time before we get some variety shows.
“Look, game shows are hugely popular now on prime time - which they used to be and weren’t for a while. I think people are ready for a variety show in prime time.”
“Ellen’s Really Big Show” will air Sunday, Nov. 18.
Barry Manilow Ellen DeGeneres Lyle Lovett Sheryl Crow