After rumors were swirling that Ellen DeGeneres was considering moving on from her highly successful daytime talk show after 16 years, all of that was kiboshed, when earlier this week on Tuesday, Ellen announced herself that The Ellen DeGeneres Show would continue on for three more years through 2022.  DeGeneres inked a new deal to stay put.

In her video announcement to her studio and at-home audience, she expressed: “From the beginning, I said this show was going to be like a relationship. We’ve been through the good, the bad, the ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ phase. It’s been a lot of fun and 16 years is a pretty good run. Sometimes in a relationship, you need to take a break. But I don’t. You’re stuck with me. I just signed for three more years.”

DeGeneres’ writing, directing and producing team all won Daytime Emmys at the just completed 46th annual ceremonies.

Watch Ellen’s announcement below, followed by Michael Fairman TV’s interviews with ‘Ellen’s’ creative teams from earlier this month after they took home the gold.

Let us know via the comment section below, if you are glad that Ellen’s daytime talk show will live to see another day, in fact, three years!

Last Friday on the May 17th episode of ABC’s General Hospital, viewers took note of a new version of the opening title sequence of the daytime drama series.

Some thought perhaps it was tied to the GH Nurses’ Ball episodes since that is when it debuted, but in fact, it turns out it is the new updated title sequence moving forward.

With slower images of the cast, new theme music, and the end graphic plate bringing back the hospital image; thus far fans have seemed to like the new and improved version from what was previously airing.

A GH spokesperson told Michael Fairman TV on the change: “We ‘opened it up’ so that we could better feature our amazing cast.  And the back plate of the hospital is to honor our longtime GH fans.  The new music was composed by Paul Glass.”

So, what do you think of the new opening title sequence featuring the slides of the characters/cast in Port Charles, the pace of the new theme, and the retro use of the GH hospital image? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

Mark your calendars for a very special segment on the soaps, when E! News delivers their Daytime Drama deep dive on Thursday, May 23 hosted by Giuliana Rancic and Jason Kennedy at 7pm-8pm ET/PT on cable’s E!

Look for set visits, interviews, retro clips, and more with some of the most famous and enduring characters in the genre.  Here’s just a sample of what to watch for:

When E! News visit the set of Y&R, Eric Braeden recounts the time Victor was feeding his wife Julia’s lover trapped in the basement dead rat; while Tracey Bregman (Lauren) reflects on why the viewers love the relationships and families in Genoa City.

In Salem and Days of our Lives, E! chats with series staples: Kristian Alfonso (Hope), then Deidre Hall (Marlena) and Drake Hogestyn (John).  Deidre reveals “possession will be on my tombstone” in terms of Marlena’s most infamous story of all-time when the good doc was possessed by Satan, while the beloved duo discuss why daytime is the best job to have.  Alfonso talks on the history of her character sharing: “I am going to hold near and dear to my heart the beginnings of Hope. And the adventure and the romance of Bo and Hope”.

Courtesy/E!

From the set of General Hospital new interviews are featured with: Laura Wright (Carly), Steve Burton (Jason) and Kristina Wagner (Felicia), plus Casting Director Mark Teschner remembers Meghan Markle’s acting debut on the ABC daytime drama series.

Teschner remembers: “Meghan Markle actually had her first speaking role in television on General Hospital.  She worked on the show in the background as a nurse, and we brought her up to read her to see if there was something there.”

Steve Burton chats on the craziest story he has ever played as Jason Morgan, revealing, “The one that always pops into my head is we had to go catch a monkey that had a virus, and I said to Laura (Wright) I think this is probably the end of my career today.”

The E! News special segment will show nostalgic clips from all the daytime dramas, including Luke and Laura’s wedding on GH, Marlena’s possession from DAYS, and some of Victor’s nefarious schemes from Y&R.

Check out the promo below.  Then, let us know if you will be checking out the ‘deep dive’ this Thursday via the comment section below.