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The Best Episodes of Ellen

Every episode of Ellen ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Ellen!

Binge this in 2d 6h•Peaking at 8.9/10

Ellen works in a Los Angeles bookstore called Buy the Book and hangs around with her friends discussing lovers, work and family.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Ellen Season 4 Episode 22 - The Puppy Episode (1)
    8.9/10(310 votes)

    #1 - The Puppy Episode (1)

    S4:E22

    Ellen senses a kindred spirit when she meets a gay woman, who enlightens her to her own sexual identity. Confused by this startling self discovery, Ellen seeks the guidance of a therapist and braces herself for yet another moment of truth: telling her friends.

    Director:Gil Junger
    Writers:Mark Driscoll, Jonathan Stark, Ellen DeGeneres, Dava Savel

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  2. Ellen Season 4 Episode 23 - The Puppy Episode (2)
    8.0/10(85 votes)

    #2 - The Puppy Episode (2)

    S4:E23

    Ellen senses a kindred spirit when she meets a gay woman, who enlightens her to her own sexual identity. Confused by this startling self discovery, Ellen seeks the guidance of a therapist and braces herself for yet another moment of truth: telling her friends.

    Director:Gil Junger
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Ellen Season 5 Episode 8 - Emma
    8.0/10(111 votes)

    #3 - Emma

    S5:E8

    Thanks to Paige, Ellen lands a job as personal assistant to Emma Thompson and discovers that, not only is Thompson gay, but her past contains a truly sordid secret.

    Director:Gail Mancuso
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Ellen Season 5 Episode 3 - Roommates
    7.9/10(63 votes)

    #4 - Roommates

    S5:E3

    Ellen's new neighbors offer to introduce her to a friend who is looking for a ""roommate,"" which, according to Audrey and Barrett, is code for ""girlfriend."" Meanwhile, Paige struggles with her mixed emotions about Ellen's lesbianism.

    Director:Gail Mancuso
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Ellen Season 4 Episode 15 - Makin' Whoopie
    7.7/10(60 votes)

    #5 - Makin' Whoopie

    S4:E15

    Ellen accompanies Spence to an important party thrown by a surgeon he's trying to impress, but it's Ellen who makes the lasting impression.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:David Flebotte

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  6. Ellen Season 4 Episode 24 - Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah
    7.7/10(69 votes)

    #6 - Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah

    S4:E24

    Ellen deals with the ramifications of telling her parents she's gay.

    Director:Gil Junger
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Ellen

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  7. Ellen Season 4 Episode 13 - Alone Again... Naturally
    7.6/10(54 votes)

    #7 - Alone Again... Naturally

    S4:E13

    Ellen conquers being alone by doing fun things on her own. Meanwhile, Spence and Joe wreak havoc on Paige's vacant apartment.

    Director:Alan Myerson
    Writer:Mark Wilding

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  8. Ellen Season 3 Episode 16 - Witness
    7.5/10(54 votes)

    #8 - Witness

    S3:E16

    Recruited by Spence to play the key witness in a mock trial, Ellen assumes the role of a stripper, but must perform some fancy footwork when she loses her notes.

    Director:Robby Benson
    Writer:Alex Herschlag

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  9. Ellen Season 4 Episode 14 - Joe's Kept Secret
    7.5/10(54 votes)

    #9 - Joe's Kept Secret

    S4:E14

    When Ellen accepts a favor from Joe's wealthy older girlfriend, the repercussions are relentless.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Ellen Season 5 Episode 7 - Public Display of Affection
    7.5/10(55 votes)

    #10 - Public Display of Affection

    S5:E7

    Ellen faces her toughest challenge yet in a relationship: winning the approval of her new girlfriend's 12-year-old daughter.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:David Walpert

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  11. Ellen Season 5 Episode 16 - Neighbors
    7.5/10(66 votes)

    #11 - Neighbors

    S5:E16

    Ellen tries to make friends with her neighbors, but they keep catching her in strange coincidences. After all, why would Ellen and Paige be playing Twister on the roof?

    Director:Gail Mancuso
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Ellen Season 3 Episode 9 - The Movie Show
    7.4/10(60 votes)

    #12 - The Movie Show

    S3:E9

    Ellen is thrilled when Paige's first film project shoots at Buy the Book, but her enthusiasm is soon outweighed by her disappointment with Paige's show-biz ways.

    Director:Robby Benson
    Writers:Tracy Newman, Jonathan Stark

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  13. Ellen Season 3 Episode 14 - Morgan, P.I.
    7.4/10(49 votes)

    #13 - Morgan, P.I.

    S3:E14

    When Buy the Book is robbed, Ellen volunteers to become the bait in a police sting operation designed to catch the ""perp.""

    Director:Robby Benson
    Writer:Dava Savel

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  14. Ellen Season 4 Episode 8 - Not So Great Expectations
    7.4/10(54 votes)

    #14 - Not So Great Expectations

    S4:E8

    Ellen is distraught when her mother starts dating and follows her and her date to a country/western club, intent on breaking the new couple up.

    Director:Gil Junger
    Writer:Rob Lotterstein

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  15. Ellen Season 5 Episode 13 - The Funeral
    7.4/10(52 votes)

    #15 - The Funeral

    S5:E13

    When Laurie's father dies suddenly, Ellen must help her make peace with the family that shut her out when she revealed her lesbianism.

    Director:Gil Junger
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Ellen Season 1 Episode 6 - The Hand That Robs the Cradle
    7.3/10(61 votes)

    #16 - The Hand That Robs the Cradle

    S1:E6

    Ellen feels old and out of it when she starts dating a younger man, but her attempts to be cool leave her date lukewarm.

    Director:Andrew D. Weyman
    Writer:Mark Driscoll

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  17. Ellen Season 4 Episode 5 - Looking Out for Number One
    7.3/10(54 votes)

    #17 - Looking Out for Number One

    S4:E5

    In therapy, Ellen learns to be honest and direct, but she's dumbstruck when she sees her therapist in a shocking position.

    Director:Gil Junger
    Writer:David Flebotte

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  18. Ellen Season 5 Episode 4 - Gay Yellow Pages
    7.3/10(59 votes)

    #18 - Gay Yellow Pages

    S5:E4

    Ellen feels pressured to support gay businesses, but a gay plumber nearly sends her housewarming party down the drain.

    Director:Gil Junger
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Ellen Season 5 Episode 5 - Just Coffee
    7.3/10(68 votes)

    #19 - Just Coffee

    S5:E5

    Ellen goes on a date with her mortgage broker, but starts to think she's the only one looking for romance.

    Director:Gail Mancuso
    Writer:Maxine Lapiduss

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  20. Ellen Season 5 Episode 14 - Escape from L.A.
    7.3/10(61 votes)

    #20 - Escape from L.A.

    S5:E14

    Ellen and Laurie take their first trip together, to San Diego. However, a problem arises when Ellen wants to party and Laurie wants to stick to her plan.

    Director:Gil Junger
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Ellen Season 2 Episode 15 - The Spa
    7.2/10(56 votes)

    #21 - The Spa

    S2:E15

    Paige persuades Ellen to relieve stress at a health spa, but the rigorous regime creates tension between them. Meanwhile, Adam tries to broaden his circle of friends, starting with Joe.

    Director:Tom Cherones
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Ellen Season 2 Episode 16 - Ballet Class
    7.2/10(50 votes)

    #22 - Ballet Class

    S2:E16

    Determined to fulfill a childhood dream, Ellen takes ballet lessons and sets her sights on dancing the lead in her class recital.

    Director:Tom Cherones
    Writer:Richard Day

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  23. Ellen Season 2 Episode 19 - Gladiators
    7.2/10(53 votes)

    #23 - Gladiators

    S2:E19

    Ellen reluctantly becomes a contestant on American Gladiators, then becomes fighting mad when her female combatant, Ice, ruins her budding romance with gladiator Nitro.

    Director:David Trainer
    Writer:Richard Day

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  24. Ellen Season 3 Episode 8 - Salad Days
    7.2/10(62 votes)

    #24 - Salad Days

    S3:E8

    Inspired by domestic diva Martha Stewart, Ellen throws an elegant dinner party, but she's the one who's thrown when an unexpected guest arrives.

    Director:Robby Benson
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Ellen Season 3 Episode 22 - Two Mammograms and a Wedding
    7.2/10(52 votes)

    #25 - Two Mammograms and a Wedding

    S3:E22

    Ellen is afraid Paige's marriage will end their friendship so, while nervously awaiting a mammogram, she latches onto Chloe, but soon discovers that making new friends isn't as easy as it used to be.

    Director:Robby Benson
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"The Puppy Episode (1)" is the best rated episode of "Ellen". It scored 8.9/10 based on 310 votes. Directed by Gil Junger and written by Mark Driscoll, Jonathan Stark, Ellen DeGeneres, Dava Savel, it aired on 4/30/1997. This episode scored 0.9 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Puppy Episode (2)".