Ellen's Show Is Ending in 2022, So Let's Relive Dakota Johnson's Brilliantly Awkward Interview

The internet remembers.

It's official: Ellen DeGeneres has decided to end her long-running daytime talk show. 

As reported by The Daily Mail, The Ellen DeGeneres Show will finish up for good after the 2021-22 season.

Last year, the show came under fire due to numerous accounts of workplace problems. Back in July 2020, WarnerMedia initiated an investigation into alleged workplace misconduct on the show's set following accusations of racism, unjust termination and an overall toxic work culture. 

With Ellen ending her show, I couldn't help but applaud the brave former/current show employees to come forward with the toxic mistreatment they experienced while working there.

— Brittny Pierre (@sleep2dream) May 12, 2021

So, why is the show ending now?

At this stage, it's not entirely clear why Ellen has chosen to pull the plug on the show. 

Ratings for The Ellen DeGeneres Show had dropped significantly since reports emerged about the set's toxic environment. In February 2021, the ratings for total households in New York City and Chicago were down 40 per cent, with a 59 per cent decrease in Los Angeles viewers.

"When you're a creative person, you constantly need to be challenged—and as great as this show is, and as fun as it is, it's just not a challenge anymore," Ellen told The Hollywood Reporter. 

Although, Twitter users aren't quite buying Ellen's reasoning. Instead, they're thanking 50 Shades of Grey actress Dakota Johnson for ending the show.  

Why? Well, in December 2019 we were blessed with perhaps one of the most gloriously uncomfortable interviews ever: Dakota Johnson and Ellen DeGeneres' chat. 

The entire exchange probably lives rent-free in your mind, however, we'll give a quick recap for those of you who didn't watch it when it first went viral.

During Dakota's interview, the talk show host claimed that Dakota never invited her to her 30th birthday party. Except, Dakota abruptly shut that down, saying she definitely did invite her.

ellen degeneres: “I'm ending show because it's not a challenge anymore.”

dakota johnson: "Actually, no, that's not the truth, Ellen,” pic.twitter.com/hpoSJ29NeQ

— Andy Dandy Shitpost (@ANDYdrewME) May 12, 2021

"Ellen, you were invited. Last time I was on the show last year, you gave me a bunch of s*** about not inviting you, but I didn't even know you wanted to be invited," the 50 Shades of Grey actress said.

"Well, who doesn't want to be invited to a party?" Ellen responded.

The interview only became more cringe when Dakota admitted she didn't even know whether Ellen liked her. 

"You knew I liked you. You've been on the show many times, and don't I show... like? Ellen asked. 

As it turns out, Dakota's party was the same weekend that Ellen controversially attended an NFL game in Texas with former US president George W. Bush. 

Dakota Johnson reading about the ellen show ending pic.twitter.com/R2xBWL8zAb

— Nico Correia (@notn1co) May 12, 2021

Considering Dakota's tense interview happened only months before former Ellen show guests and staffers began speaking out about their negative experiences, social media users are praising the actress for calling out the talk show host.

You can relive the entire chat here or check out the short clip below.

Header Image: The Ellen DeGeneres Show