NBC has announced that Kelly Clarkson will take over Ellen DeGeneres’ time slot on daytime TV in autumn 2022. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for CinemaCon/Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic)
Singer and talk show host Kelly Clarkson will take over Ellen DeGeneres’ time slot on US daytime TV when her eponymous show ends in 2022.
Earlier this month, DeGeneres announced that she would be ending her talk show, which debuted in September 2003, with a final season to air in 2021/2022. The controversial TV host said the decision, which has been years in the making, came about because the show is no longer a “challenge”, which she said is detrimental to her creativity.
There had been a lot of speculation around who would take over DeGeneres’ coveted time slot on daytime TV, and Network NBC confirmed the American Idol winner had come out on top. The Kelly Clarkson Show, which is only in its second season, will take over the slot in autumn 2022 on NBC-owned stations.
Valari Staab, president of NBCUniversal Local, said in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter that changes are “remarkable achievements for a talk show in its second season”.
“We look forward to Ellen DeGeneres’ 19th season paired with Kelly Clarkson for what is sure to be a blockbuster year,” Staab said. “By 2022, The Kelly Clarkson Show will be the star of our daytime entertainment schedules and an asset to our early afternoon newscasts.”
Tracie Wilson, the executive vice president of NBCUniversal Syndication Studios, added Kelly Clarkson’s show is “one of the most optimistic success stories in first-run syndication”. She said: “Kelly and our entire production team put their heat, intent and incredible passion into making a show that resonates with people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds.”
The end of the Ellen DeGeneres Show followed declining ratings and allegations from staff that there was a “toxic workplace” environment behind the scenes as well as claims of bullying and racism. It led to three senior producers being fired from the show in 2020 and DeGeneres offering a tepid apology.
DeGeneres addressed the series of allegations in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter. She said the scandal was “very hurtful to me”, and it “destroyed” her because she wanted to spread “kindness and compassion”.