Ellen does Chicago
TELEVISION | Keep an eye out for talk host prior to taping, gala
No question about it, Ellen DeGeneres is ''super excited'' about being in Chicago -- both to tape her daily talk show Saturday and to headline the big Make-a-Wish gala at Lincoln Park Zoo, where 1,000 guests are expected that night.
Phoning from her Burbank, Calif., studio Thursday, DeGeneres shared a couple of new tidbits about the taping of the episode at Pioneer Court near NBC Tower, scheduled to air at 3 p.m. Tuesday on WMAQ-Channel 5.
(Warner Bros. Ent.)
''You know, I'm a big 'American Idol' fan, so we lined up [recent castoffs] Michael Johns and Carly Smithson to sing a duet.'' In addition, Chicago fans should be on the lookout today, as DeGeneres promised, ''I'm going out on the streets of Chicago -- I won't tell you where" to do some comedy bits she'll feature on the show.
As for Chicago, DeGeneres said, ''I always think how beautiful the city is. If it wasn't for that weather thing, I'd live there.'' She also has fond memories of taping HBO specials here, noting ''Chicago audiences are polite, friendly and smart. ... Audiences don't know it, but they always representing their cities. For me, Chicago audiences put the best face possible on their city.
The host also loved her phone chat with Mayor Daley on the show to promote the Chicago trip. ''He was very nice, but a little nervous. He first called me 'Helen.'' ' When told it might just have been his Chicagah accent, DeGeneres quipped, ''Does that mean he calls [Oprah Winfrey] 'Hoprah?' ''
Is her house filled with Dory dolls representing her character in "Finding Nemo"?
''No, it isn't. If I had a kid, that might be different.'' On that subject DeGeneres admitted she and life partner Portia DiRossi have discussed it. ''We'd have to do it soon. I'm 50 and Portia's 35. But we're trying to be realistic about it. All our friends have kids. We love children and are around them all the time. Having one would be incredible and would add so much to my world, but on the other hand I love my freedom and what I'm doing.''
One thing DeGeneres is looking forward to is meeting Kensie Montalto, 18, of Lake in the Hills. The high school senior's wish -- to meet DeGeneres -- will be granted at the Make-a-Wish gala.
Suffering from the autoimmune disease dematomyosis -- which attacks her muscles and skin tissue, leaving her virtually in constant pain -- Kensie was impressed by DeGeneres' battle with a back injury last year.
''Even though she was in pain, she came on her show in a hospital bed. I thought was was great,'' said the teen. ''Also, you just know that whether she's talking to Oprah or a homeless person, Ellen will be the same with both.''
As for DeGeneres, ''I'm just so inspired by people [like Kensie]. I've got the greatest job in the world. I get to make people laugh every day. I am so lucky. When I see the kids I meet from the Make-a-Wish Foundation -- and the kind of pain they deal with -- I think, how dare we ever feel sorry for ourselves.''
As for Kensie, she better be ready Saturday night. Known for her daily dancing segment on her talk show, DeGeneres said, ''You know what? I think I'm going to dance with Kensie Saturday. Yup, that's what we'll do.''
