How Ellen DeGeneres gained power in 2004
AGE 45Lots of celebs launch talk shows as a change of pace — and wind up with egg on their faces. DeGeneres, however, has deftly adapted to the daytime: She may be the No. 4 chat show, behind Oprah, Dr. Phil, and Live With Regis and Kelly, but she attracts a younger, more affluent audience than those three. Plus, she's just signed to play the Supreme Being in a remake of Oh, God! You don't get more powerful than that.
