The breakout Touchstone Television show that made Ellen Degeneres a household name was, of course, These Friends of Mine?!? (If you've read more than one of these this week, you know none of them are what they initially seem by now.)
Yes, the show that made Ellen a star was not originally named after her and was meant to be an ensemble effort. When Ellen stood out from the group, the show became Ellen after the first season. Future reruns of the show's first season were edited and retitled Ellen.
