The Ellen DeGeneres Show prolongs hiatus as California coronavirus cases surge
Ellen DeGeneres during the IHEART Living Room Concert for America. (FOX/Getty)
The Ellen DeGeneres Show prolonged its hiatus Thursday (31 December) as California, US, coronavirus cases continue to surge.
The show first paused production in December 2020 when Ellen DeGeneres shared her positive COVID-19 test result, plunging the show into uncertainty. It capped off a shaky year for the star, whose daytime talk show has been rattled by rumours and allegations of toxicity.
Now, Telepictures, one of the production companies behind Ellen, announced that the show has pushed its intended 4 January resume date to 11 January instead.
“Due to the COVID-19 surge in Los Angeles County, and for the continued safety of our staff and crew, The Ellen DeGeneres Show will push production by a week,” a spokesperson told PEOPLE.
The extension came after the Los Angeles Department of Public Health pleaded for production to be shut down this week amid dizzying rises in cases – the state’s death roll hit 25,000 Thursday.
“Although music, TV, and film productions are allowed to operate, we ask you to strongly consider pausing work for a few weeks during this catastrophic surge in COVID cases,” a letter from the agency said, according to FilmLA.
“Identify and delay higher risk activities, and focus on lower-risk work for now, if at all possible.”
Ellen DeGeneres left in ‘excruciating’ pain after COVID-19 diagnosis
Ellen DeGeneres revealed last month that she is on the mend after testing positive for the coronavirus, but felt “excruciating pain” before.
In a video posted to Twitter, the presenter gave an update on her health after she announced she was sickened by COVID-19.
Wearing a plaid shirt and with her dog Wally by her side, she told viewers: “Just saying thank you to all the well wishes out there, I appreciate it very much.
“I’m feeling 100 per cent, I feel really good.”
A little update. pic.twitter.com/9OkFHkiKRc
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) December 16, 2020
“One thing that they don’t tell you is you get, somehow, excruciating back pain,” she continued.
“Didn’t know that was a symptom, but I talked to some other people – back pain. Who knew? How come?
“Back pain. Bad.”
