TV series
Ellen works in a Los Angeles bookstore called Buy the Book and hangs around with her friends discussing lovers, work and family.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Checked Jul 22, 2026
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Ellen works in a Los Angeles bookstore called Buy the Book and hangs around with her friends discussing lovers, work and family.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
Ellen's world is turned upside down when an earthquake devastates Buy the Book. Ellen tries to salvage her business, with little help from her friends. Meanwhile, the arrival of her high-energy cousin shakes up Ellen's relationships and jolts her into speaking up for herself.
Directed by Robby BensonGuest stars Arye Gross, Ruth Manning, Rick Fitts, Maurice Chasse
Episode 2
Ellen feels left in the dust when Paige and Adam's careers take exciting turns, so she embarks on a journey to find her own dream.
Directed by Robby BensonWritten by Tom LeopoldGuest stars Arye Gross, Sherlinda Dix, Jim Haynie, Hal Landon Jr., Kevin Light, David Wells, Tommy Bertelsen, Paddi Edwards
Episode 3
Ellen labors to make amends after accidentally taping over a video of Paige's sister giving birth to twins, so she throws a lavish baby shower to relieve her guilt.
Directed by Robby BensonGuest stars Arye Gross, Connie Britton, Judy Kain, Rachel Davies, Fiona Hale, Dailyn Matthews, Sandra Kinder, Colleen Wainwright
Episode 4
Ellen takes a stand for womanking, rewriting the ABCs of dating after Spence's one-night stand with a member of her reading group.
Directed by Robby BensonWritten by Tracy Newman, Jonathan StarkGuest stars Arye Gross, Anthony Clark, Christine Taylor, Kate Williamson, Brian George, Paul Bates
Episode 5
Before moving to England for an exciting job opportunity, Adam makes a surprising personal revelation to Ellen, who must deal with the awkward consequences when his trip is postponed.
Directed by Robby BensonGuest stars Arye Gross, K.T. Vogt, Shaun Toub, Jay Johnston, Jamie Kennedy
Episode 6
As Halloween approaches, Ellen's high spirits have no effect on Spence, who is haunted by thoughts of his life. Meanwhile, Paige doesn't have a ghost of a chance of completing her first big assignment without help, and Joe is spooked by Audrey, who thinks she's been hired at Buy the Book.
Directed by Robby BensonWritten by Alex HerschlagGuest stars Anthony Clark, Kate Williamson, Rachel Duncan, Ramon Choyce, Jimmy Galeota
Episode 7
Ellen is elated when her mother enters therapy but she's not that crazy about her mom's idea that mother and daughter become friends.
Directed by Robby BensonWritten by David FlebotteGuest stars Doris Belack, Alice Hirson, Steven Gilborn, Beverly Garland, Bruce Thomas, Mara Holguin
Episode 8
Inspired by domestic diva Martha Stewart, Ellen throws an elegant dinner party, but she's the one who's thrown when an unexpected guest arrives.
Directed by Robby BensonGuest stars Patrick Bristow, Martha Stewart, Pat Millicano, Jack Plotnick, Stephanie Erb
Episode 9
Ellen is thrilled when Paige's first film project shoots at Buy the Book, but her enthusiasm is soon outweighed by her disappointment with Paige's show-biz ways.
Directed by Robby BensonWritten by Tracy Newman, Jonathan StarkGuest stars Jack Plotnick, Carrie Fisher, Michael Des Barres, Michael Maynard, Matthew Sullivan
Episode 10
Thanks to Ellen's miscommunication, Spence and his equally combative dad have reached a peace settlement, but Ellen is determined to set things straight, even though it will result in father and son resuming their battle of wills.
Directed by Robby BensonGuest stars Brian Doyle-Murray, Robert Lance
Episode 11
Ellen is thrilled when she's invited to appear on the television program ""Book Chat."" However, her ecstasy turns to agony when she's forced to decide which three of her five book club members will join her.
Directed by Robby BensonWritten by Alex HerschlagGuest stars Anthony Clark, Vance DeGeneres, Christine Taylor, Kate Williamson, Brian George, Lise Simms, Bob Glouberman, Paul Bates
Episode 12
Ellen's holiday spirits hit an all-time low when her parents present her with a cemetery burial plot as a Christmas present.
Directed by Robby BensonWritten by David FlebotteGuest stars Alice Hirson, Steven Gilborn, Jamie Kennedy
Episode 13
Ellen is thrilled when Paige invites her to an exclusive birthday party for John Travolta. But their fantasy evening turns into a nightmare thanks to some uninvited guests and an overly sensitive limo driver.
Directed by Robby BensonWritten by Tom LeopoldGuest stars Elya Baskin, Ron Palillo
Episode 14
When Buy the Book is robbed, Ellen volunteers to become the bait in a police sting operation designed to catch the ""perp.""
Directed by Robby BensonWritten by Dava SavelGuest stars Dan Gauthier, Ron Canada, Eric Menyuk
Episode 15
It's Ellen to the rescue when Audrey buys a new car that comes with an extended warranty and an extended family of fanatics.
Directed by Robby BensonWritten by Tracy Newman, Jonathan StarkGuest stars Kathy Griffin, Wayne Wilderson, Nick Toth
Episode 16
Recruited by Spence to play the key witness in a mock trial, Ellen assumes the role of a stripper, but must perform some fancy footwork when she loses her notes.
Directed by Robby BensonWritten by Alex HerschlagGuest stars Anthony Clark, Concetta Tomei, Stephanie Erb, Scott Mosenson, Bari K. Willerford, Robert Briscoe Evans
Episode 17
Looking after Paige's boyfriend's daughter for the weekend, Ellen is proud of the way she communicates with her charge. But when the fourth grader asks Ellen about sex, she's tongue tied.
Directed by Robby BensonGuest stars Dan Gauthier, Ebick Pizzadili, Don Amendolia
Episode 18
Ellen is heralded as a hero when she rescues a lobster from a restaurant and tries to set it out to sea, but the elderly lobster has other plans.
Directed by Robby BensonWritten by Tracy Newman, Jonathan StarkGuest stars Mary Tyler Moore, Paul Dooley, Tricia Leigh Fisher, Wesley Thompson, Andy Houts
Episode 19
Ellen gets caught in the middle of Paige and Matt's relationship when Paige's engagement ring gets stuck on Ellen's finger.
Directed by Robby BensonWritten by David FlebotteGuest stars Patrick Bristow, Gregory White, Jack Plotnick, Dan Gauthier, Bari K. Willerford, Judith Scarpone, Scott Lindner
Episode 20
Money problems force Ellen to consider giving Audrey the ax, but when Audrey's parents buy a slice of the bookstore, it's with strings attached.
Directed by Robby BensonGuest stars Barry Corbin, Carol Kane, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs
Episode 21
Disappointed when Buy the Book isn't voted one of L.A.'s ""Top Twenty Hippest Hangs,"" Ellen hires a lounge act to draw a hipper crowd, and is elated when the group proves popular--until she realizes why.
Directed by Robby BensonGuest stars Charlie Brill, Mitzi McCall, Tera Hendrickson, Cynthia Lamontagne, Bodhi Elfman, Paul Crowder, Elizabeth Keener, Nick Edenetti
Episode 22
Ellen is afraid Paige's marriage will end their friendship so, while nervously awaiting a mammogram, she latches onto Chloe, but soon discovers that making new friends isn't as easy as it used to be.
Directed by Robby BensonGuest stars Janeane Garofalo, Thea Vidale, Mina Kolb, Michole Briana White, Susan Powell, Nancy Serrano
Episode 23
Ellen throws a bachelorette party for a despondent Paige, inviting her high-powered studio boss and a psychic aerobics instructor whose dire predictions seem to be coming true.
Directed by Robby BensonGuest stars Alice Hirson, Steven Gilborn, Dan Gauthier, Kathy Najimy, Shae D'Lyn, Timothy Elwell, Jonathan Stark
Episode 24
When Paige's wedding day is marred by complications, maid of honor Ellen manages to keep it together. But things threaten to fall apart when she stumbles on an unlikely couple just before the ceremony.
Directed by Robby BensonWritten by David Flebotte, Alex HerschlagGuest stars Patrick Bristow, Gregory Sierra, Connie Britton, Jack Plotnick, Ron Palillo, Dan Gauthier, Ebick Pizzadili, Jeff Dunham
Episode 25
With Paige's marriage mere moments away, it's up to maid of honor Ellen to decide if things will go off with or without a hitch.
Directed by Robby BensonGuest stars Patrick Bristow, Connie Britton, Jack Plotnick, Ron Palillo, Dan Gauthier, Ebick Pizzadili, Kimmy Robertson, Perry Anzilotti
Episode 26
Ellen and her friends make a frantic effort to retrieve a racy videotape that winds up in the wrong hands.
Directed by Andy AckermanWritten by David S. RosenthalGuest stars Holly Fulger, Maggie Wheeler, Arye Gross, Elinor Donahue, Brian McNamara, Earl Boen, Dan Sachoff
Episode 27
A reluctant Ellen is persuaded to come forward as the witness to a mugging she never saw.
Written by David S. RosenthalGuest stars Holly Fulger, Maggie Wheeler, Arye Gross, Greg Germann, Mariska Hargitay, Willie C. Carpenter, Dave Florek, Edward Blanchard
Episode information updated Jul 27, 2026
Ellen DeGeneresEllen Morgan
Joely FisherPaige Clark
David Anthony HigginsJoe Farrell
Holly FulgerHolly Jamison
Clea LewisAudrey Penney
Jeremy PivenSpence Kovak
Maggie WheelerAnita Warwell
Arye GrossAdam Green
ABCUnited States
Touchstone TelevisionUnited States
A Very Good ProductionUnited States
