[NEWS] Jennifer and Justin Timberlake Take Ellen DeGeneres by Surprise!

Left: Justin Timberlake & Jennifer Right: Ellen DeGeneres & Peter Roth

article by: Chris Serico

TODAY
"November 12, 2015 Ellen DeGeneres got quite a surprise when she celebrated her 2,000th episode on her talk show. Ellen is usually the one doing the surprising, but her talk show staff still shocked her with two A-list stars to help celebrate. First, Jennifer Aniston showed up. "Do you know how hard it is to surprise this person [Ellen]?", asked Aniston, who'd erupted when she emerged as Ellen's first secret guest. Aniston was a guest on the very first episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Jennifer came bearing gifts, including a familiar one to fans who'd been watching the talk show from the beginning. She carried a welcome mat seemingly identical to the one she gifted Ellen on the talk show's very first episode, which first aired September 8, 2003. "But enough about that first day," said Aniston, "I think it's time to sort of bring sexy back." Enter singer/dancer Justin Timberlake, who was also a guest on DeGeneres' second show.

The Ellen 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' Stage

Timberlake said, "I thought for sure you knew, or that [you'd] find out," the Grammy-award singer claimed. Keeping a surprise hidden from Ellen is something not even her wife, Portia de Rossi can pull off. "It always somehow leaks out, somebody tells me something," said DeGeneres. But on Thursday, Ellen's staff was strict: "I wanted to play ping pong and they were like, 'Stay in your dressing room.' " DeGeneres insisted she was shocked, adding, "You're two of my favorite people." Quipped Timberlake, "Yeah, but, like, if you had to pick one...." he said jokingly. Chimed Aniston, "It's such a no-brainer," joked the actress. Ever the diplomat, DeGeneres said, "It would be the both of you together, as one unit." Timberlake embraced the similarities, joking, "We're both fun-loving women." The singer teased one more surprise: Ellen's studio stage was officially dedicated in her name, an honor that happened for just the fourth time in Warner Bros. history, according to television executive Peter Roth. "[It] will forever be known as The Ellen Stage," Roth told DeGeneres, who grinned as various plaques were unveiled to another rousing audience ovation. The episode also featured an eight-minute montage of hilarious as well as sweet moments from the talk show's 12-year run (and counting)."