During nearly two decades on air, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" set itself apart from other daytime talk series by relentlessly pranking its staff, studio audience and celebrity guests.
Over the years, DeGeneres has terrorized hundreds of suspecting and unsuspecting victims backstage, in their dressing rooms and onstage — with varying results. Approaching the conclusion of her eponymous program, DeGeneres recently revealed the show's scare strategy, as well as how the running gag came to be.
The series finale of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" airs Thursday, nearly a year after allegations of a toxic work environment and public scrutiny of its host.
