Ellen DeGeneres cancels shows just two weeks after starting ‘comeback’ tour

Just two weeks after starting her “comeback” stand-up tour of the US, Ellen DeGeneres cancelled a string of dates and fans are not happy, in the latest crisis to hit the under-fire comedian.

Ellen DeGeneres is facing backlash from fans after she cancelled a string of US shows as part of her Ellen’s Last Stand … Up tour.

The 66-year-old had just started a US tour, billed as the “last opportunity” to see the comedian in her “final curtain call” and would “reintroduce her trademark wit and laughter-inducing anecdotes” to her audiences.

Ellen DeGeneres is facing a backlash from fans after she cancelled a string of shows as part of her final US stand-up tour. Picture: AFP

However, some fans wouldn’t be able to see her perform after Ticketmaster issued a statement saying that four upcoming shows have been cancelled.

Without explanation, DeGeneres ditched shows in Dallas on July 10, San Francisco on July 20, Seattle on July 22, and Chicago on August 11.

However, the other Chicago show on August 10th is still seemingly happening.

Ellen DeGeneres has had a difficult few years. Picture: AFP

“Unfortunately, the Event Organiser has had to cancel your event,” the company’s statement read.

It continued, “You don’t need to do a thing. We’ll issue a refund to the original method of payment used at time of purchase, as soon as funds are received from the Event Organiser.

“It should appear on your account within 14-21 days.”

No word yet on the shows between those dates.

Despite the refund, fans were outraged by the last-minute decision.

Ellen DeGeneres revealed the criticism she has faced has been difficult for Australian wife Portia De Rossi. Picture: AFP

“I bought tickets to the Dallas show and you’re just not telling fans why you cancelled last minute? We deserve an explanation the least you can do,” one fan wrote on DeGeneres’ recent Instagram post.

Ellen’s Last Stand … Up is the comedian’s first touring show since the 2022 end of her eponymous daytime talk show, which came after she faced claims of a toxic workplace in 2020.

The star apologised more than once, saying that the show had “grown exponentially” and that she hadn’t “been able to stay on top of everything.” Staffing changes were made, but the show, which began in 2003, ended in 2022.

Ellen DeGeneres and Jennifer Aniston dance on the final Ellen show in 2022. Picture: Warner Bros.

At an early performance of the show in Los Angeles, she joked about the toxic workplace controversy and said she was “kicked out of show business” for being “mean.”

In a review in SFGate, the comedian repeated the same joke at a California show earlier this week, and added, “I am many things, but I am not mean.”
DeGeneres has not commented on the cancelled dates.

Previously, DeGeneres announced she would release a second and final Netflix special before the end of this year. The comedian’s 2018 Netflix special, Relatable, was the first of a two-special deal with Netflix.

Originally published as Ellen DeGeneres cancels shows just two weeks after starting ‘comeback’ tour