Star that could take over Ellen show

Ellen DeGeneres may not be dancing so hard amid rumours over the future of her show.

DeGeneres, 62, is struggling to hold on to her fan base following troubling accusations over her behaviour.

With just one year left on her existing deal, the multi-millionaire host will enter talks about The Ellen DeGeneres Show next month,Page Six has learned.

Her ratings have slipped 8 per cent, according to official stats, and The Kelly Clarkson Show — which airs after Ellen in most syndication markets — could well take the Ellen show’s 3pm slot if it comes to an end, TV insiders are musing.

DeGeneres came under fire for her behaviour behind the scenes last summer — and producers were forced to leave amid reports about their workplace conduct.

We’re told that NBC chiefs wooed pop star Clarkson, 38, for years before she launched her eponymous show — produced and distributed by NBCUniversal Domestic Television Distribution — in September 2019.

It became the most-watched new daytime talk show in seven years, winning three Daytime Emmys last year, including one for Clarkson as best entertainment talk show host.

Last month, The Kelly Clarkson Show hit a season high — and matched DeGeneres’ numbers for the first time.
 

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DeGeneres owns the rights to her show, so it’s impossible to replace her without launching a fresh format with a new host.

However, Ellen show producers at Telepictures want to keep the prestigious timeslot, as a source told us: “Telepictures knows Ellen wants out, but execs want to keep the timeslots and put another host in her place.”

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The source further said, “Kelly would likely get Ellen’s timeslots, but Telepictures will fight to keep them.”

Reps did not comment.

This article originally appeared on Page Six and was reproduced with permission