Ellen DeGeneres: The Beginning

She has the conviction of Don Rickles, strength of Lily Tomlin, wit of Robin Williams and diction of Jane Fonda.

It's Ellen DeGeneres, live, at the Beacon Theater--a real treat for those in the provinces who weren't able to make it to the Big Apple that fun night in 2000.

Obviously the result of many years in the comic and talk show business, DeGeneres has the pulse of both the sophisticated and general public at bay. She delivers her humor with a kind of sincerity and unpretentiousness that really communicates. The Beacon audience obviously loves her, and responds with great enthusiasm. Ellen has the courage to touch on "touchy subjects" and "get away" with it through her ingratiating personality.

This, her fifth comedy special, may be termed her best, and credit must be extended to fine, unobtrusive direction by Joel Gallen. As no one's credited as writer, it must be DeGeneres wrote her own material, as well as executive produced this fun filled event.

Ellen live in the Beacon Theatre, and welcome back Ellen! Good to see you again!

Best moments include the shampoo bottle jokes, and Ellen's interpretative dance routine at the beginning.

Otherwise, standard Ellen fare (and that's no bad thing) with Ellen going off on every possible tangent.

More please!

This performance marks 3 years after the "come-out" of Ellen Degeneres. FYI, Ellen was raised in a strict Christian Science environment, and although she no longer goes to that church, she believes in God and her belief is evidently shown in this performance. As she always has been funny and witty style, Ellen also shows her love and passion for people and animals. My favorite part is how Ellen chooses to end the show with such impressive story of her meeting with God. It makes us laugh for the moment, but then when we find "the silence", we can see how incredible and sophisticated this woman is. If you are a fan of Ellen DeGeneres, you cannot miss this.

Ellen De Generes at her best. This is a must see for anyone into comedy. Timing is excellent and routines are brilliant. De Generes proves she still has what it takes to wow an audience. The opening dance sequence displays another side of De Generes to her fans. Don't miss this...

Ellen Degeneres: The New Beginning is the comedy special the comedian/future talk show host did a few months after coming out as a lesbian and opening herself to lethal criticism. If you can't recall the headlines she spawned and responses she garnered from her audacious movie, she proudly does a wordless, musical reenactment of one of the most important moments in her life. In addition, she goes into detail about how insects and other creatures have relationships akin to the ones humans have, the depression the person on the other end of the shampoo hotline must have, and more in the special. Degeneres is hilariously inspired because of the way she analyzes things in life that would likely go unnoticed by a large majority of people. Her ability to make humor and a sustainable monologue on something so ridiculous is precisely her strongest talent. It must also be said that the ending of the special touches a sentimental, emotional note that few comedy specials even come close to reaching.

Starring: Ellen Degeneres. Directed by: Joel Gallen.