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
When Ellen decides to put down roots and buy a home of her own, she's unprepared for the price--the cost of her beloved Buy the Book.
Directed by Gil JungerGuest stars Patrick Bristow, Jack Plotnick, Nancy Lenehan, Curtis Armstrong, Larry Hankin, Raymond Forchion
Episode 2
When her new boss, Ed, decides that Joe must go, Ellen resorts to trickery to get him rehired.
Directed by Gil JungerWritten by Mark DriscollGuest stars Bruce Campbell, Gregory McKinney, Cara Rose, Sarah Dampf, Juliana Schiavo, Dena Burton, Chris D'Arienzo
Episode 3
When her parents decide to separate, Ellen's the one who's broken up.
Directed by Gil JungerGuest stars Bruce Campbell, Toni Tennille, Alice Hirson, Steven Gilborn, Nancy Lenehan, Pat Crawford Brown, John Petlock, John David Conti
Episode 4
Ellen plots to reunite her parents by recreating their honeymoon, transforming her apartment into a 1958 Cuban nightclub complete with headliner Eddie Fisher. Meanwhile, Spence begs Barrett to return as Paige's secretary after he quits.
Directed by Gil JungerWritten by Tracy Newman, Jonathan StarkGuest stars Alice Hirson, Steven Gilborn, Paxton Whitehead, Jack Plotnick, Eddie Fisher
Episode 5
In therapy, Ellen learns to be honest and direct, but she's dumbstruck when she sees her therapist in a shocking position.
Directed by Gil JungerWritten by David FlebotteGuest stars Harriet Sansom Harris, Richard Roat
Episode 6
Ellen and Paige attend their 25th camp reunion, where Paige seeks revenge on the girl who put gum in her hair,
Directed by Gil JungerWritten by David WalpertGuest stars Patrick Bristow, Kaley Cuoco, Bruce Campbell, Brittany Paige Bouck, Cynthia Madvig, Juanita Jennings, Anne Rice, Carol Barbee
Episode 7
Ellen tries to bond with her father, Paige is bent out of shape when Spence accepts a wedding invitation from an ex-girlfriend, and Joe is bound for New Mexico in search of aliens.
Directed by Michael LembeckWritten by Alex HerschlagGuest stars Patrick Bristow, Steven Gilborn, Harvey Korman, Anne DeSalvo, Max Lazar
Episode 8
Ellen is distraught when her mother starts dating and follows her and her date to a country/western club, intent on breaking the new couple up.
Directed by Gil JungerWritten by Rob LottersteinGuest stars Alice Hirson, Steven Gilborn, Lyle Waggoner, Debra Mooney, Lori Heuring, Dan Finnerty, Steven Cragg, Julie Janney
Episode 9
A home pregnancy test causes Ellen, Paige and Audrey to rethink their lives. Meanwhile, a life-saving experience prompts Spence to rethink his as well.
Directed by Gil JungerGuest stars Chris D'Arienzo, Dana Gould, Marilyn Kagan, Jim Ward
Episode 10
Ellen feels like a turkey when she unwittingly invites a homeless man to Thanksgiving dinner.
Directed by Gil JungerWritten by David WalpertGuest stars Patrick Bristow, Bruce Campbell, Kathleen Noone, Jack Plotnick, Joe Flaherty, Danny Breen, Jeff Feringa
Episode 11
Ellen experiences the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat when she and Ed engage in a sports competition.
Written by Vance DeGeneresGuest stars Mary Page Keller, Bruce Campbell, Cara Rose, Sarah Dampf
Episode 12
Ellen bites off more than she can chew when she rescues an abandoned dog at Christmas.
Directed by Alan MyersonWritten by Tracy Newman, Jonathan StarkGuest stars Steven Gilborn, John Del Regno, John Cervenka
Episode 13
Ellen conquers being alone by doing fun things on her own. Meanwhile, Spence and Joe wreak havoc on Paige's vacant apartment.
Directed by Alan MyersonWritten by Mark WildingGuest stars Jann Arden, Bruce Campbell, Cara Rose, Sarah Dampf, Esther Scott, Jonathan Fuller, Michael McDonald, Philippe Bergeron
Episode 14
When Ellen accepts a favor from Joe's wealthy older girlfriend, the repercussions are relentless.
Directed by John TracyGuest stars Florence Henderson, Aaron Neville, Nancy Lenehan, Rick Hall
Episode 15
Ellen accompanies Spence to an important party thrown by a surgeon he's trying to impress, but it's Ellen who makes the lasting impression.
Written by David FlebotteGuest stars Meshell Ndegeocello, Peter Michael Goetz, Dana Gould, Marie-Alise Recasner, Mindy Sterling, Terence Washington, Tim Bagley, Gary Schwartz
Episode 16
Ellen fulfills an adolescent fantasy when she goes to Rock and Roll Dream Camp.
Directed by David TrainerWritten by Alex HerschlagGuest stars Derek McGrath, Bonnie Raitt, Queen Latifah, Vance DeGeneres, Aaron Neville, David Crosby, Andy Kindler, Paul Crowder
Episode 17
Ellen misinterprets the signs of a handsome deaf actor, and Spence gets his signals mixed when Paige's former fiance returns to the scene.
Directed by Gil JungerGuest stars Patrick Bristow, Dan Gauthier, Anthony Natale, Deanne Bray, J. Karen Thomas, Mitch Gibney
Episode 18
Peter confronts Ellen at a spiritual retreat while a robber at Buy the Book confronts Paige, Spence, Joe and Audrey.
Directed by Gil JungerWritten by Rob LottersteinGuest stars Patrick Bristow, Brandon Maggart, Iqbal Theba, Judy Nazemetz, Don Yesso
Episode 19
After a lifetime of white lies, Ellen comes clean with her hard-to-please grandmother. Meanwhile, Paige treats Spence to a Vegas weekend he'll never forget, thanks to his amnesia.
Directed by Gil JungerWritten by Peter TolanGuest stars Brett Butler, Drew Carey, Wayne Newton, Eileen Heckart, Alice Hirson, Steven Gilborn, Read Scot
Episode 20
Ellen's eagerness to support her parents' divorce unexpectedly brings the couple closer together.
Directed by Gil JungerGuest stars Jean Speegle Howard, Kat Cressida, Alice Hirson, Steven Gilborn, Clive Rosengren
Episode 21
Volunteering at a hospital, Ellen tries to regale an incapacitated English patient with memories of her past.
Directed by Gil JungerWritten by Vance DeGeneres, David WalpertGuest stars Michael Des Barres, Paulette Braxton, Everett Greenbaum
Episode 22
Ellen senses a kindred spirit when she meets a gay woman, who enlightens her to her own sexual identity. Confused by this startling self discovery, Ellen seeks the guidance of a therapist and braces herself for yet another moment of truth: telling her friends.
Directed by Gil JungerWritten by Mark Driscoll, Jonathan Stark, Ellen DeGeneres, Dava SavelGuest stars Oprah Winfrey, Patrick Bristow, Laura Dern, Jack Plotnick, Steven Eckholdt, K.D. Lang, Patrick Harrigan
Episode 23
Ellen senses a kindred spirit when she meets a gay woman, who enlightens her to her own sexual identity. Confused by this startling self discovery, Ellen seeks the guidance of a therapist and braces herself for yet another moment of truth: telling her friends.
Directed by Gil JungerGuest stars Oprah Winfrey, Patrick Bristow, Laura Dern, Jack Plotnick, Steven Eckholdt, K.D. Lang, Patrick Harrigan
Episode 24
Ellen deals with the ramifications of telling her parents she's gay.
Directed by Gil JungerGuest stars Laraine Newman, Alice Hirson, Steven Gilborn, James Hong, Catherine Paolone, Juliana Schiavo, Chaz Bono
Episode 25
Ellen experiences personal and professional upheaval when she moves into her new home and has an honest talk with Ed.
Directed by Gil JungerWritten by David Flebotte, Alex HerschlagGuest stars Bruce Campbell, Nancy Lenehan, Cara Rose, Sarah Dampf, Liza D'Agostino, Gena Gilcease
Episode information updated Jul 26, 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
