Ellen DeGeneres: Here and Now (2003)

In sharp contrast to most reviews here, the "Ellen DeGeneres: Here and Now" disc that I rented was marginally funny at best. While Ellen's general style is right in the vein of good comedy, her observations in this performance just lack an edge... maybe an absurdity or exaggeration that makes all the difference between you or me talking about, say, airport security shenanigans and a professional comedian addressing the same subject. This was no funnier than discussing the same topics with regular people--a few good laughs, but that's about it. Oftentimes she'd make an observation and I would wait expectantly for the joke that puts it in hilarious perspective, only to find her moving along to the next lukewarm observation. Hopefully her other material is of better caliber. As a health warning, if you thought this DVD was truly hilarious, you may want to stay away from comics like Bill Hicks, Eddie Izzard, Richard Pryor, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Mitch Hedburg or countless others who might be funny enough to actually kill you.

This is the best I have ever seen! Ellen is hilarious and clean. I was comfortable watching with my daughter and she loves it too! It reaches all the generations! AWESOME! I must get my mother to see this. you can relate with her on everything she says because you have either been there or know someone who has!I would love to see her show live.She is not like most comedians that have to cuss in order to be funny.She is simply herself, honest and loving.I wish the show was longer because I was was ready to continue laughing. my favorite part was about the toilet paper! She is brilliant and very open about herself and those that don't like her just because of her sexuality are missing out on the most brilliant comic out there

This recording of the latest Ellen Degeneres comedy tour was sooooooooooooooooo funny! If you like comedy where you are laughing so hard you can't catch your breath, this is the ticket. Her observations of everyday stuff is so right on and her delivery makes it even more ithilarious. Near the end, she quotes Salt-N-Pepa's Shoop for a "things that make you go hmmmm" moment. The only warning is that women may get more of a kick out of the show then men.

I have been a fan of Ellen's since before Electricity! I am so incredibly glad that I got a chance to see Ellen perform this 'Here and Now' stand-up routine LIVE! I saw her at GW's Lisner Auditorium April 16, 2003 and oh my goodness was she hilarious! There was no way I was going to miss this HBO special. I was so worried that they would cut out a few of the jokes that I enjoyed from seeing her live, but they didn't! I was thrilled! Ellen is so gifted at everything that she does. She has a very high bar for what she does. I don't blame her one bit. You don't see many (As a matter of fact ANY) comics doing a whole routine with no cursing, foul language, political statements or anything that would attack another human being or racial slurs. That's why Ellen is the Queen of comedy.I really love Ellen's sense of humor, the way she looks at the world. Her timing is impeccable. She's incredibly gifted. She's a comedian, she knows the rhythm and so she can take the scene and give it the flow and the build and she's a pleasure to watch.I love her honesty, sincerity, generousity and most of all her personality. She's so down to earth. If you've ever met her or will ever meet her, you will see that in her. She's an amazing woman.Thank you Ellen for making my experience of seeing you LIVE IN THE FLESH :D an unforgettable night! You had me laughing hysterically!I had pleasure talking to you. Thank you for allowing me to speak to you. Thank you for the autograph and the hug. :D You are on awesome chick!Your HBO special rocked! I can't wait for your new talk show. Good luck with all of your dreams.