DeGeneres received wide exposure on November 4 , 2001 , when she hosted the televised broadcast of the Emmy Awards . Presented after two cancellations due to network concerns that a lavish ceremony following the September 11 attacks would appear insensitive , the show required a more somber tone that would also allow viewers to temporarily forget the tragedy . DeGeneres received several standing ovations for her performance that evening , which included the line : " What would bug the Taliban more than seeing a gay woman in a suit surrounded by Jews ? " In August 2005 , DeGeneres hosted the 2005 Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony held on September 18 , 2005 . This was three weeks after Hurricane Katrina , making it the second time she hosted the Emmys following a national tragedy . She also hosted the Grammy Awards in 1996 and in 1997
2005 Primetime Emmy Awards
57th Primetime Emmy Awards
Ellen DeGeneres