Checking Out 'Ellen's' New Look

Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution’s “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” is quickly becoming the feel-good story in the syndication talk-show genre. The program is posting year-to-year ratings increases in an environment where staying flat is considered success. Kicking off her sixth season in 2008, Ms. DeGeneres moved into new digs, setting up shop in a state-of-the-art high-definition studio on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, Calif. TelevisionWeek reporter Andrew Krukowski visited the set and sat in on the Dec. 18 taping of “Ellen” to get a behind-the-scenes look at what’s involved in creating the show. He learned that the recipe for success requires much more than a dancing host and audience giveaways. Road to NATPE Checking Out 'Ellen's' New Look . . . More » ‘Ellen,’ ‘Wilkos’ See Year-to-Year Gains . . . More » Brown Holds Court in a Packed Field . . . More » 'Judy' Still Rules Court Show Ratings . . ... (link)