Ellen appears on The Graham Norton Show next to Quentin Tarantino and Colin Farrell. Then viewers realize why her presence feels so out of place
‘I really miss being on TV.’
Ellen DeGeneres surprised viewers by appearing on an episode of The Graham Norton Show without any new project to promote. She joined fellow guests Quentin Tarantino, Colin Farrell, and Gemma Chan on the sofa. Viewers quickly realized her presence felt out of place compared to the working actors. The other celebrities arrived ready to discuss their latest creative releases. DeGeneres had nothing to plug and appeared to be on the show just to chat.
During the broadcast, the former host made her situation completely clear. According to LADBible, she confessed, “I’ve nothing really going on and I really miss being on TV.” DeGeneres’ appearance marked her first television visit since disappearing from the public eye.
Tension surfaced quickly during an unexpected interaction with fellow couch guest Tarantino. Graham Norton asked Tarantino if he had ever appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Tarantino made the reality clear right away. He stated, “I was never asked.” DeGeneres immediately responded, “I don’t know why that is, I have…” Tarantino stood his ground. He repeated, “I was never asked.” The back and forth ended with DeGeneres declaring, “Now I’m angry.”
Tarantino clarified that he did not mean it aggressively
He explained that he had always wanted an invitation to the talk show. DeGeneres shifted the responsibility toward her former production team. She said, “As we know, there are producers that bring you people, and I don’t know why you weren’t… I’m so glad we’re meeting now, and I don’t know why you wouldn’t have been.”
The once-popular comedian admitted that she misses the daily grind of television production. She stated, “I miss a lot about it, laughing with the writers and the audience. I think about doing stuff here. I think it is pretty easy to get on TV here.” She pointed out the popular unscripted formats across British networks. She joked, “You have a pottery show, you have a sewing show, and you even have a show about people watching TV shows.”
Audiences watching from home felt the dynamic was completely bizarre. People posted their thoughts across X throughout the night. One viewer asked, “Why does it look so awkward that Ellen DeGeneres is on The Graham Norton Show?” Another post read, “why tf is ellen degeneres on the graham norton show tonight ???”
A different user on X called her booking a random guest choice. Another user wrote, “I didn’t expect Ellen DeGeneres to rock up on The Graham Norton Show last night. She was pretty much cancelled and retired to the English countryside the last time I heard.” Some viewers even wondered if she paid to sit on the sofa.
DeGeneres’ talk show officially ended in 2022 after 19 seasons on the air
That cancellation followed claims by ten former staff members regarding a toxic workplace. The allegations detailed an environment filled with racism, fear, and intimidation. UNILAD reports that political commentator and media personality Megyn Kelly recently claimed a family member worked there and faced warnings against making eye contact.
According to Page Six, back in 2020, DeGeneres addressed the controversy directly on camera. She told viewers, “I learned that things happened here that never should’ve happened.” She also stated, “I take that very seriously, and I want to say I’m so sorry to the people who were affected.”
DeGeneres continued, “We have had a lot of conversations over the last few weeks about the show, our workplace and what we want for the future. We have made the necessary changes and today we are starting a new chapter.”
DeGeneres left the U.S. after President Donald Trump won re-election. She relocated in 2024 to the Cotswolds with her wife, Portia de Rossi.
In August 2025, she praised her quiet, new lifestyle
DeGeneres stated, “Everything here is just better, the way animals are treated, people are polite. I just love it here.” She added, “It’s absolutely beautiful. We’re just not used to seeing this kind of beauty. The villages and the towns and the architecture, everything you see is charming and it’s just a simpler way of life.”
The couple maintains a low profile across the British countryside. DeGeneres recently met with Meghan Markle at The Three Horseshoes near Burford. However, her latest appearance on The Graham Norton Show proves she clearly misses the bright television lights.
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