Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval Christian Review

Ellen DeGeneres is no stranger to the limelight, and her latest comedy special, “For Your Approval,” is both a continuation of her familiar style and an awkward departure from what audiences have come to expect. Ellen has long been seen as America’s approachable comedian, dishing out light-hearted, observational humor with warmth and charm. But this special feels different. Something is off.

When you watch “For Your Approval,” you sense a performer who is trying to straddle two worlds: the relatable, lovable Ellen and the version of herself that is raw, flawed, and maybe even haunted by recent events. The title alone—“For Your Approval”—implies a desire to win back the favor of the public after the controversies surrounding her workplace behavior. From a Christian perspective, the desire for approval is understandable, but it raises a bigger question: What is the ultimate source of our worth and validation?

Let’s dive into this, because Ellen’s quest for approval feels messy and conflicted, as does much of the special. It’s an hour of comedy that, at times, doesn’t seem sure what it wants to be.

Humor as a Shield

Ellen starts the show with some of her classic observational humor, poking fun at men for their goofy behavior—imaginary golf swings, air guitar, and the like. These moments are good for a few laughs, but they feel…safe. Almost too safe. If you’re familiar with Ellen’s style, you know she can get a lot of mileage from these kinds of jokes. But here, it’s almost as if she’s hiding behind them, relying on the familiar when something more profound is lurking beneath the surface.

It’s like she’s using humor to deflect, to avoid getting into the deeper stuff, and as a Christian, this feels like a missed opportunity. Humor is a gift. It has a way of bringing people together and offering perspective, but it can also be a mask. The Bible talks about the power of words (Proverbs 18:21), and in this case, Ellen’s words seem to lack the weight they could carry. There’s something deeper she’s not saying, and that makes the jokes, funny as they are, feel hollow.

The Quest for Approval

The theme of approval is central to the special, though Ellen never really comes out and says it directly. You can tell that she’s trying to win people back after the fallout from her talk show, where accusations of a toxic work environment tarnished her once-sterling image. But instead of addressing these issues head-on, she dances around them. She alludes to having been “maltreated” and “thrown out of show business,” but there’s a vagueness to it all.

It’s uncomfortable to watch, especially when you think about how important transparency is in Christian living. The Bible encourages confession, accountability, and truthfulness (James 5:16). When we mess up—and we all do—the right thing to do is to own it. The Christian path isn’t about pretending we’ve got it all together, but about admitting when we fall short and seeking forgiveness and restoration. Ellen’s reluctance to truly confront the controversy feels like a missed chance for personal growth, both for her and for the audience.

Identity in Crisis

There’s a recurring theme in “For Your Approval” about identity. Ellen talks about how she’s no longer just “a boss or a brand,” but a multifaceted person who is tough and demanding, yet also honest and generous. She seems to be grappling with how she’s perceived, trying to redefine herself in the public eye.

As Christians, we believe that our identity isn’t rooted in how others see us, but in how God sees us. Our worth doesn’t come from approval, ratings, or followers—it comes from being loved by the Creator. Ellen’s struggle here is relatable. We live in a culture that is obsessed with image, where approval and acceptance often feel like the ultimate goals. But that’s a game you can never truly win. If “For Your Approval” teaches us anything, it’s that chasing public favor can lead to a lot of internal turmoil.

And that turmoil shows. The special feels conflicted—Ellen wants to present herself as authentic, but she’s still holding back. There’s a tension between the cheerful, bubbly persona she’s known for and the more prickly, defensive version of herself that peeks through in this special. It’s like she’s trying to be two people at once, and the result is a muddled, somewhat frustrating hour.

Aging and Vulnerability

One of the lighter, more relatable parts of the special is Ellen’s humor about aging. She jokes about osteoporosis, saying, “I don’t even know how I’m standing up right now. I’m like a human sandcastle—I could disintegrate in the shower.” These moments work because they’re grounded in truth. Aging is something we all face, and Ellen’s self-deprecating humor makes it easier to laugh at the inevitable.

However, even these jokes feel tinged with something heavier, a plea for sympathy maybe, or perhaps a reflection of her own vulnerability. As Christians, we know that vulnerability can be a powerful thing. It’s in our weakness that God’s strength is made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9). But Ellen’s vulnerability here feels more like she’s looking for validation from the audience, rather than embracing her fragility in a way that leads to deeper understanding or growth.

This is where the special really falters. There’s a lot of talk about being “honest” and “multifaceted,” but it all feels surface-level. Ellen seems to want to connect on a deeper level, but the jokes and the narrative structure of the special keep getting in the way. It’s as if she’s saying, “Look at me, I’m vulnerable,” but she’s not actually opening up in a meaningful way.

Humor, Healing, and Redemption

There’s no question that Ellen is a talented comedian. Her timing and instincts are still sharp, and there are moments in the special that will make you laugh out loud. But as a Christian, I’m left wondering what the purpose of this hour really is. Comedy can be a form of healing, a way to work through pain and come out the other side with a fresh perspective. But “For Your Approval” doesn’t seem to reach that point of healing. Instead, it feels like Ellen is stuck in limbo, unsure of how to move forward.

In the end, the special leaves you with a sense of frustration. It’s not that Ellen isn’t funny—she is—but that the humor feels like a shield, deflecting from the real issues she could be addressing. There’s no sense of closure or redemption here, just a performer who seems caught between wanting to please and wanting to be real, but not quite succeeding at either.

Final Thoughts

“For Your Approval” isn’t a disaster, but it’s not a triumph either. It’s an hour of comedy that never quite finds its footing, and from a Christian perspective, it feels like a missed opportunity. Ellen could have leaned into vulnerability, confessed where she’s fallen short, and used humor as a tool for healing and growth. Instead, the special feels like an attempt to win back public favor without addressing the real issues.

Rating: 5/10. There are a few laughs, and Ellen’s comic instincts are still strong, but the lack of depth and transparency makes this special more frustrating than funny. For Christian viewers, the takeaway might be that approval from others is fleeting, but finding our identity in Christ brings lasting peace.