The talk show host is getting the Carol Burnett Award.
Tre'vell AndersonTelevision’s favorite lesbian talk show host is getting honored! At the top of next year, Ellen DeGeneres will receive the Carol Burnett Award from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) — the people who do the Golden Globes — recognizing her achievement in television.
“From her sitcoms, to stand-up, to becoming a household staple on daytime television, she is a pioneer who has captivated audiences for nearly 25 years with her undeniable charm and wit,” said Lorenzo Soria, HFPA president. “In addition to her television success, she’s an advocate and philanthropist, lending her voice to those who don’t have one, and spreading kindness and joy through the power of her platform.
DeGeneres will be only the second person to receive this honor, after its legendary namesake herself was recognized at last year’s Golden Globe ceremony. Chosen by the HFPA Board of Directors, the Carol Burnett Award is given annually to someone who “has made outstanding contributions to the television medium on or off the screen,” a press release reads. The award is the counterpart to the group’s Cecil B. DeMille Award which recognizes someone who’s made vast contributions to the film world. Tom Hanks, Oprah Winfrey, and Meryl Streep have received that honor in recent years.
The last year for the Relatable standup comedian, turned actress, turned talk show diva has been rocky, to say the least. Following the release of her well-reviewed return to stand-up at the end of 2018, she kicked off 2019 with a bang, attempting to use her (white) LGBTQ+ influence to pardon fellow comedian-actor Kevin Hart for his homophobic and funny-less past. In October, she found herself in the headlines again after hanging with her “friend,” former president George W. Bush. Both instances drove countless fans to revaluate their relationship and fandom of the host. But regardless, no one can deny her impact on television.
From her legendary eponymous show — which ran for four years, garnered record ratings and landed multiple Golden Globe and Emmys nominations and a Peabody for the critically acclaimed “Puppy Episode” where her character came out — to her hit syndicated talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show which was just renewed through the 2021-2022 season, she’s made a name for herself in the TV space. In November 2016, DeGeneres was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom presented by President Barack H. Obama.
Watch DeGeneres accept her award live Sunday, January 5, 2020 on NBC.
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