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Although her sitcom stardom -- and the controversy regarding her real-life sexual orientation -- were well in the past by 2003, comedienne Ellen DeGeneres was still a name to conjure with, thanks to a highly rated HBO special, a successful multi-city concert tour, her courageous helming of the first post-9/11 Emmy Awards telecast, and her brilliant voice-over work in the animated feature Finding Nemo. Thus, it was hardly a comedown when DeGeneres decided to headline her own daily, hour-long syndicated talk show. A grab-bag of the usual chat-fest ingredients -- celebrity interviews, musical numbers, person-on-the-street interviews -- DeGeneres' series was given that extra something by the star's ingratiating personality and genuine interest in the answers given to her by her guests. Syndicated nationally by Warner Bros. Television, The Ellen DeGeneres Show premiered in most markets on September 8, 2003.