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Viewership surveys show that for the first time Ellen DeGeneres is on par with Oprah Winfrey, which is quite the deal because Ellen is staying and Oprah is leaving. NBC's 10 owned-and-operated stations announced earlier this week - with very little coverage - that they would be running "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" through 2014. Guess that ends speculation that the ABC stations might go after Ellen as an Oprah replacement. From the NYT:
Her hourlong show is upbeat and inspirational, two traits that appeal to daytime's core female audience, according to the studies, which TV executives rely on as they make decisions. Equally important, the 52-year-old Ms. DeGeneres is seen as relaxed and relatable. Already, she is seen as more likable than Ms. Winfrey, according to the Q Scores Company, which measures consumer preferences. Ms. DeGeneres's star is rising at a stressful time for broadcast TV, when ratings and revenue for syndicated talk shows are far slimmer than they were at Ms. Winfrey's peak. No one expects "Ellen" to literally replace "Oprah" in terms of popularity. But a hit show in syndication can still be a cash cow for its distributors and broadcasters.
By the way, "Ellen" is taped at the Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, but getting a ticket looks like quite the challenge. From the "Ellen" Web site:
All requests for tickets are done online by clicking on the calendar below. Simply, click on the month you are interested in attending. If tickets are available on a date you would like, click on the day and fill out the ticket request form. You can only request one date so make sure the date available works for you and your guests. A representative from our audience department will call to book you in the order in which your request was received. Please note: Submitting a request does not confirm your ticket(s) until you speak with a representative from the show.
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Show times and dates are subject to change at any time. The Ellen DeGeneres Show does not reimburse travel expenses due to show cancellations. Tickets have no cash value, are non-transferable, and may not be auctioned or sold. Due to the high volume of ticket requests, parties are only permitted to submit and attend one taping per season. If our staff or crew recognizes you as a repeat guest, you will be denied at the gate. Please do not send multiple requests or apply under a different name.
Mark Lacter created the LA Biz Observed blog in 2006. He posted
until the day before his death on Nov. 13, 2013.