Episode guide
Ellen
109 episodes · 5 seasons · 1994–1998 · ABC
Season
Season 1
11 episodes
- S01E01 Pilot
In the series pilot, Ellen is concerned that Holly might be getting involved with a creep.
- S01E02 The Anchor
A call-waiting snafu causes an awkward incident between Ellen and an acquaintance she'd like to avoid.
- S01E03 A Kiss Is Still a Kiss
Ellen, Holly and Adam respond to personal ads, and Ellen finds a great guy---whose kisses aren't so great.
- S01E04 The Class Reunion
Ellen lies about her marital and career status at a class reunion, but then she meets an old heartthrob.
- S01E05 The Promotion
Problems are born when Ellen seeks a promotion by buying a gift for her boss's baby.
- S01E06 The Hand That Robs the Cradle
Dating a younger guy makes Ellen insecure about the status of her hipness---or what's left of it.
- S01E07 The Go-Between
Ellen arranges for Adam to escort her boss to a wedding.
- S01E08 The Houseguest
Ellen's cousin visits, but her vacation is spoiled by a flat tire, beach pollution and conterfeit theater tickets.
- S01E09 The Refrigerator
Adam and Ellen get a discount on a refrigerator, but Ellen must move it around town herself after Adam fakes a back injury.
- S01E10 The Soft Touch
Ellen pities a hapless car salesman, who gets fired after she backs out of a deal.
- S01E11 The Boyfriend Stealer
Ellen believes that Holly's boyfriend is making passes at her, but has trouble proving her case.
Season
Season 2
24 episodes
- S02E01 The Dentist
Adam finds that being in a secure relationship makes him attractive to other women.
- S02E02 Saint Ellen
Ellen has the urge to work for a charity after crashing a fund-raiser.
- S02E03 The Thirty-Minute Man
A pizza deliveryman takes Ellen out, but his lack of ambition is hard for her to swallow.
- S02E04 The Note
Ellen doesn't like it when she discovers someone in her book-store reading group doesn't like her.
- S02E05 The Fix-Up
Ellen's mom fixes her up with a guy whom Ellen remembers as being freaky.
- S02E06 So Funny
Ellen is jealous of the attention Adam gives to his witty pal. Meanwhile, Paige and her boyfriend aren't in synch romantically.
- S02E07 The Toast
Ellen says the wrong thing during her toast at the rehearsal dinner for her brother's wedding.
- S02E08 Adam's Birthday
On his birthday, Adam thinks his life isn't going anywhere, and he decides to move out.
- S02E09 The Trainer
Ellen poses as the personal trainer for Paige's boss, who offers Ellen a movie-development job.
- S02E10 Mrs. Koger
Ellen's cranky neighbor dies after Ellen tells her off.
- S02E11 Ellen's New Friend
Ellen wants to be friends with a travel writer, but their mutual friend keeps getting in the way.
- S02E12 The Christmas Show
At Christmastime, Ellen wants to wrap up her relationship with her boyfriend.
- S02E13 Ellen's Improvement
Ellen hits the books to increase her knowledge, then hits it off with a professor.
- S02E14 The Apartment Hunt
Ellen helps Audrey find an apartment far, far away.
- S02E15 The Spa
Paige persuades Ellen to go to a spa that puts the "hell" in health. Meanwhile, Adam seeks a friendship with Joe.
- S02E16 Ballet Class
Ellen makes an ungraceful attempt to dance the lead in her ballet class's recital.
- S02E17 Guns 'n Ellen
Ellen's apartment is burglarized, and she seeks to protect herself.
- S02E18 The Sleep Clinic
Ellen goes to a sleep clinic when she's plagued by dreams about Adam.
- S02E19 Gladiators
Ellen qualifies as a contestant on "American Gladiators".
- S02E20 $5,000
The IRS mistakenly gives Ellen $5000, which she gives to charity.
- S02E21 Three Strikes
Ellen is jailed after an animal-rights protest, but is released into the custody of her parents.
- S02E22 The Therapy Episode
A white lie and a terrifying experience send Ellen to therapy, where she realizes that she needs to be more honest with her mother.
- S02E23 Thirty Kilo Man (1)
The hapless pizza deliveryman, whom Ellen once labeled a loser, returns from Italy and wins her heart.
- S02E24 Thirty Kilo Man (2)
Ellen has fallen in love with Dan, and Paige doesn't like being the odd man out.
Season
Season 3
27 episodes
- S03E01 Shake, Rattle and Rubble
Ellen's world is shaken up by an earthquake and the arrival of her cousin Spence.
- S03E02 These Successful Friends of Mine
Inspired by Paige and Adam's successes after the earthquake, Ellen hits the road in search of a dream...any dream.
- S03E03 The Shower Scene
Ellen is angst-ridden after she tapes an episode of "thirtysomething" over a video of Paige's sister giving birth to twins.
- S03E04 The Bridges of L.A. County
Spence has a one-night stand with a woman but is not inclined to call her again, even though Ellen thinks he should.
- S03E05 Hello, I Must Be Going
Adam is leaving to take a job in London, and the parting is such sweet sorrow for Ellen.
- S03E06 Trick or Treat---Who Cares?
Spence is in a dark mood on Halloween; Audrey treats herself to a job at Ellen's bookstore.
- S03E07 She Ain't Friendly, She's My Mother
After going through therapy, Ellen's mom decides she wants to be her pal, which is more than Ellen can handle.
- S03E08 Salad Days
Martha Stewart appears at a book-signing at Ellen's store, inspiring Ellen to plan a dinner party for a few friends.
- S03E09 The Movie Show
Carrie Fisher plays the "best friend" in Paige's first film, which features Ellen's bookstore as a location.
- S03E10 What's Up, Ex-Doc?
Spence's dad wants him to return to medical practice.
- S03E11 Ellen's Choice
Ellen has to choose which members of her reading group will appear on a highbrow TV show called "Book Chat."
- S03E12 Do You Fear What I Fear?
Ellen's parents give her a burial plot for Christmas, leaving her to ponder how wonderful her life is.
- S03E13 Horshack's Law
Everyone's along for the limo ride when Paige gets invited to a bash for John Travolta in a secret locale.
- S03E14 Morgan, P.I.
Ellen's bookstore is robbed, and a detective steals Paige's heart.
- S03E15 Oh, Sweet Rapture
When Audrey buys a car, she becomes part of a cultish club of auto owners who really---really---love their wheels.
- S03E16 Witness
As a faux witness, Ellen makes a mockery of Spence's mock trial for law school.
- S03E17 Ellen: With Child
Curious about how she would be as a mom, Ellen volunteers to look after the daughter of Paige's boyfriend.
- S03E18 Lobster Diary
Ellen tries to save a 65-year-old lobster from a restaurant's pot---an act that mirrors a real-life effort by Mary Tyler Moore (who appears as herself).
- S03E19 Two Ring Circus
Paige accepts Matt's marriage proposal, but finds the small diamond on her engagement ring unacceptable.
- S03E20 A Penney Saved...
Ellen puts off firing Audrey when Audrey's wealthy parents give Ellen a large sum to keep her employed.
- S03E21 Too Hip for the Room
Hipsters come to hang out when a musical-comedy duo---who are so bad they're good---entertain at Ellen's bookstore.
- S03E22 Two Mammograms and a Wedding
While at the doctor's office for a mammogram, Ellen becomes buddies with another patient.
- S03E23 Go Girlz
Bad omens loom over the bachelorette party that Ellen and Audrey throw for Paige.
- S03E24 When the Vow Breaks (1)
Ellen is given the task of making everything run smoothly for Paige's wedding. But everything doesn't.
- S03E25 The Tape
In an unaired episode from the show's first season, Ellen and her friends must retrieve a racy videotape of one of Ellen's pals.
- S03E26 When the Vow Breaks (2)
Ellen discovers Spence and Paige in a liplock before Paige's wedding ceremony.
- S03E27 The Mugging
Ellen comes forward as a witness to a mugging she didn't actually see.
Season
Season 4
25 episodes
- S04E01 Give Me Equity or Give Me Death
Ellen longs to buy a home, but she'll have to sell her bookstore to do so.
- S04E02 A Deer Head for Joe
The bookstore's new manager, whose hobby is hunting, wants to bag Joe, whom he finds beastly.
- S04E03 Splitsville, Man
Ellen comes unglued when her parents reveal that they intend to separate.
- S04E04 The Parent Trap
Desperate to reunite her parents, Ellen re-creates their Cuban honeymoon, circa 1958, complete with the musical stylings of Eddie Fisher (who appears as himself).
- S04E05 Looking Out for Number One
Ellen's therapist counsels her to speak her mind, but Ellen's speechless when she spies the good doctor in a compromising position.
- S04E06 The Bubble Gum Incident
At a camp reunion, Paige intends to get even for a childhood incident that Ellen was secretly behind.
- S04E07 Harold and Ellen
Ellen insists on mothering her ailing father.
- S04E08 Not So Great Expectations
Lois accepts a date with a man she meets through a dating service.
- S04E09 The Pregnancy Test
As Spence's passion for medicine is reborn, Paige takes a test to find out if she's pregnant. But Audrey is the one who's positive.
- S04E10 Kiss My Bum
Ellen invites a nice guy to Thanksgiving dinner, not knowing that he's homeless.
- S04E11 Bowl, Baby, Bowl
Ed becomes fiercely competitive after Ellen beats him in a bowling match.
- S04E12 Fleas Navidad
Ellen's attachment to a stray dog upsets her Christmas vacation plans.
- S04E13 Alone Again... Naturally
As a New Year's resolution, Ellen pledges not to let being unattached prevent her from doing the things she wants to do.
- S04E14 Joe's Kept Secret
Ellen comes in contact with Joe's friend when she seeks a permit to remodel her house.
- S04E15 Makin' Whoopie
Ellen has one too many at a wine-tasting party given by an M.D. whom Spence wants to impress.
- S04E16 Ellen Unplugged
Ellen and the group attend "Rock and Roll Dream Camp."
- S04E17 Ellen's Deaf Comedy Jam
Ellen thinks she's gotten signals of attraction from a hearing-impaired actor with whom Audrey is infatuated.
- S04E18 Hello, Dalai
Ellen and Peter attend a new-age retreat, where Peter offers the insight that Ellen is not really as happy as she claims to be.
- S04E19 Secrets & Ellen
Ellen and her parents conspire to keep up appearances for Ellen's grandmother; Paige and Spence go to Las Vegas.
- S04E20 Reversal of Misfortune
Ellen is finally reconciled to the impending divorce of her parents, but they don't appear to be in any rush to finalize the matter.
- S04E21 The Clip Show Patient
Spoofing "The English Patient," Ellen provides a burn victim with a litany of memories (shown via clips from previous episodes).
- S04E22 The Puppy Episode (1)
Part 1 of two. Ellen discovers her true sexual identity when she finds that she has a decided preference for her male friend's female pal.
- S04E23 The Puppy Episode (2)
Conclusion. Ellen discovers her true sexual identity when she finds that she has a decided preference for her male friend's female pal.
- S04E24 Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah
Ellen comes out to her parents.
- S04E25 Moving On
As Ellen prepares to move into her house, she runs into trouble at the bookstore when she learns that Ed has an aversion to gays.
Season
Season 5
22 episodes
- S05E01 Guys or Dolls
Ellen's friendship with an old boyfriend takes a romantic turn that confuses Ellen about her sexuality.
- S05E02 Social Climber
Ellen tries rock climbing in a rather rugged effort to impress an outdoorsy fitness instructor.
- S05E03 Roommates
When neighbors recommend a "roommate" for Ellen, she assumes she's being fixed up.
- S05E04 Gay Yellow Pages
Ellen consults a "gay" business directory to find a plumber to repair a sink as she prepares a party for members of the gay community.
- S05E05 Just Coffee
Ellen still doesn't know where she stands after a few dates with her mortgage broker, so she hopes to ask a few bold questions.
- S05E06 G.I. Ellen
Ellen soldiers on as a participant in her dad's Civil War re-enactment.
- S05E07 Public Display of Affection
Ellen's awkwardness about public displays of affection with Laurie has an effect on Laurie's daughter, Holly.
- S05E08 Emma
Ellen discovers that Oscar winner Emma Thompson is a closet lesbian.
- S05E09 Like a Virgin
With Laurie poised to take the next step in the romantic relationship, a nervous Ellen flees.
- S05E10 All Ellen, All the Time
Ellen gets a job at a talk-radio station, where she's harassed by the lecherous sports-show host.
- S05E11 Break Up
Ellen and Laurie's relationship unravels after they exchange gifts for their one-month anniversary.
- S05E12 Womyn Fest
Paige reveals her intention to marry Spence on the way to a women's music fest, where Ellen gets clues about her Ms. Right from a fortune teller.
- S05E13 The Funeral
Ellen's dying to know what Laurie is doing on Saturday that she doesn't want Ellen to know about. Turns out it's her father's funeral.
- S05E14 Escape from L.A.
Ellen and Laurie take a vacation, and Laurie's instinct for organization clashes with Ellen's spontaneity.
- S05E15 Ellen in Focus
Paige and Ellen scheme to have Ellen infiltrate the focus group slated to evaluate a TV cop show Paige developed.
- S05E16 Neighbors
Circumstances conspire to make Ellen look like a fool in front of her neighbors.
- S05E17 It's a Gay, Gay, Gay, Gay World!
Accidental exposure to bug spray sends Spence into a dream world where what's gay is straight and what's straight is gay.
- S05E18 Hospital
After Laurie's in a car accident, Ellen meets a woman in the hospital waiting room who doesn't reveal that she's Laurie's ex.
- S05E19 Ellen: A Hollywood Tribute (1)
Part 1 of Two. An irreverent mockumentary celebrates Ellen's career in entertainment, including her landmark sitcom that premiered "way back in 1959." "Hosted" by Linda Ellerbee.
- S05E20 Ellen: A Hollywood Tribute (2)
Conclution. An irreverent mockumentary celebrates Ellen's career in entertainment, including her landmark sitcom that premiered "way back in 1959." "Hosted" by Linda Ellerbee.
- S05E21 When Ellen Talks, People Listen
Ellen's espousal of neighborly behavior inspires listeners of her radio program.
- S05E22 Vows
Ellen's parents' plan to renew their wedding vows inspires Ellen to propose to Laurie.