Are any "Ellen" fans also fans of "The Ellen Show"? (the 2001 sitcom)

['80sSitcoms]

I was so glad to discover TES on DVD, as I never saw it on TV. I adore it; I think it's every bit as good and funny as Ellen, perhaps even better! What perfect casting; Jim Gaffigan is so lovable, the Home Ec. teacher is a hoot, Cathy has her own thing going on, and I also think Cloris Leachman's character here is my favorite sitcoms character she's ever done.

-

[Adamantium]

I also love it. I think it's better than both the first and final seasons of Ellen. Last year, I got the DVD out and re-watched the series. I forgot how good it was. I was sad when it was over. Such a short run. That was during the period in my life when ALL the shows I watched on Network TV were getting cancelled after a season or less. So I was pretty grouchy towards new TV for a while there, haha.

[RetroGuy2000]

I never watched The Ellen Show, but I did watch Ellen when it was still These Friends of Mine. As you might predict based on my comments in other sitcom threads... I'm not a huge fan of the cast purge between seasons one and two.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by Adamantium

I also love it. I think it's better than both the first and final seasons of Ellen. Last year, I got the DVD out and re-watched the series. I forgot how good it was. I was sad when it was over. Such a short run. That was during the period in my life when ALL the shows I watched on Network TV were getting cancelled after a season or less. So I was pretty grouchy towards new TV for a while there, haha.

lol, I can understand that. In Charlotte Rae's book The Facts of My Life, she discusses this same sad phenomenon with TV shows when discussing her career before she found extended longevity as Mrs. Garrett from 1978 - 1986. Paraphrasing her, why cancel a show so quickly after investing so much time and money in actors, sets, writers, production, wardrobe, etc.? You need to give things a chance to find their audience.

Granted I'm also sad this wonderful show only had one season, I'm at least glad it was a bit of a longer season than some other shows' first season: The Facts of Life's first season was only 13 shows! At least with TES we get 5 "bonus" episodes to make it a little longer.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I never watched The Ellen Show, but I did watch Ellen when it was still These Friends of Mine.

Hi Retro!

I highly recommend checking out the single volume DVD release of this series. Ellen in a small town, with such gifted players---it's a real hoot!

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

As you might predict based on my comments in other sitcom threads... I'm not a huge fan of the cast purge between seasons one and two.

Ahh,hahaha! Well, frankly, I am, lol. Holly was good, but she's too much like Ellen (timid, quirky, etc.) for Ellen to really shine as a character among other personalities; she needed to be surrounded by others different from her, which she did on Ellen. Anita just did not come off as a character for me, and she was very under-served and not utilized much at all (she was pretty much "the Nancy" of TFoM), and Adam was okay, but he just didn't have enough charisma; I prefer Jeremy Piven as Spence when he comes at the beginning of season 3 and Adam is ousted 5 episodes later (sorry Adam, lol). So overall I much prefer the season 2-on cast; the only one I kinda miss is Holly, because she and Ellen had good chemistry; and although Ellen Morgan succeeds more as a unique personality, it was fun watching Ellen and Holly's "two peas in an L.A. pod" friendship.

[Chocolate Moose]

I liked both of her sitcoms but am not much into the talk show.